How long ago did you catch the bug?

Correct me if I am wrong but it appears that a majority of us Forum dwellers are about the same age. My Freshman year in college was 1971. Boomers!

As a Voice Performance major in the conservatory I had to have my first serious system. Anyone remember Pacific Stereo? I was so proud of my $199 PS special.

We would put on Classical albums and everyone at parties would play “name that composer”. And my pianist, perfect pitch roommate would “play” shadow fingers on the ceiling instantaneously to the piano pieces.

A cool Niko receiver, a super duper Lenco TT… funny that about a $100 TT would become a sought after restored item. PS had their house brand speaker. The Quadrelfex. It came with the entry level bookshelf.

Took several years until I started the never ending upgrades. My first was a very great pair of Klipsch Heresys. 

5, 6 years old.  My uncle had this tv stereo console that I liked.  Big, powerful sound. That started it.  Mid 60's my dad took me to the Salvation Army.  They had a stockpile of such console units.  For $5.00? they let me take out whatever I wanted   My dad explained that they were going to dismantle them for trash and I was helping them. Yes.  A Frankenstein system.  LOL 60 years later... Great granddaughter of Frankenstein, system.   Better looking.  Better sounding.  But still, a Frankenstein.

In many respects… the real high end stuff has always been primarily an old guy thing. As a young audiophile I used to drive up to Phoenix from Tucson to the Audio Research / high end audio store to look and listen. The only guys walking out with new Audio Research equipment we’re old guys. Us youngsters were there to dream…. Maybe buy a used budget piece of equipment. Like the shiny new corvettes… old guys! A small compensation for getting old.

I was part of a family band growing up and I would mess around with the PA equipment. Got my first audio system in 1971 and first really high-end system in 1974. So, let's see, that means something around 50 years in this hobby. Still intrigued by it all, in fact just got off the phone with Jerry at Audio Magic. I've had a variety of interests through the years, but Audio/Video has gotten the most consistent attention.

Around 48 yrs ago when I was 10. I remember it quite well. I was running through a large department store in 1974 with my twin brother to go check out their sporting goods section when I was stopped dead in my tracks running past a full display of blue light Marantz gear that was expertly displayed on isle racks with literature.

What a discovery to find such cool looking and well thought out gear that made music!