Idealism, Audio and Lost Youth

Right On Avguy, I suspect you are closer than some would like to admit. An actual encounter with "The Good Olde Days" would most likely bring us to a place that we remembered differently. "The Persistence of Memory" is usually a long shot from the reality but it can be comforting.

I have fond memories of listening (in the dark)to my first real system in my college apartment. Spent my life savings in 1979 to purchase Linn LP12, Hafler DH-200 amp, Hafler DH-100 pre-amp (both built from kits) and Fried W speakers. I lost count of how many times the neighbors asked me to turn the volume level down from the 2 O'clock position that it seemed to like best. I can't say that I have heard anything recently that I like better. I agree with Tubegroover about selective memory, but my memory of those times is stronger than my hearing is lately.

I think you memory is relative to your surroundings. You dont remember how that sysytem sounded as much as you remember how much better it sounded then everything else. On top of that you dont notice the slow climb of improvements of all electrionics sort of like you dont notice yourself getting older day to day.

Interesting subject, a slight twist would be apply the same questioning to the type of music you liked better at the beginning and what you prefer nowadays. In my case I have broaden my tastes to classic, jazz and other from the beginning progressive rock only (this way before getting into hi-fi) . What do you think?

I think that the system CwLondon described would actually blow away many modern systems, especially those using less than the best digital front ends. On the other hand, with the advances made over the last couple of decades, it is now possible to assemble systems that will soundly trounce the best older systems. I am particularly impressed with the most recent advances in digital technology, such as upsampling. With affordable digital speaker and room correction just around the corner, I think we are on the verge of taking things to the next level, and I'm very encouraged by these developments. The potential of vinyl-based systems is virtually maxed out, while things in the digital arena are just starting to cook. If this offends anyone, I apologize, but it's the truth.