Earliest "MOST WANTED" gear


OK, some of us have been on this merry go round longer than others. I checked in in 1976, age 16. Typical teenagers, I wanted a turntable, receiver and speakers. A tape deck down the road and a decent used car once I got a license.

I envisioned my 1st system- a Dual turntable with a Shure cartridge, AR bookshelf speakers, and as for a receiver, I liked Tandberg and Marantz. Predictably, my 1st system did not look like that at all, though over the years out of a fit of nostalgia I have owned all of that stuff, even if for under a year (and then sold it to another person trying to satisfy earlier desires). Well, at least I envisioned a Teac tape deck and that's what I eventually bought.

What was the "system of your dreams" before you dipped your toes into the water?
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1977-BIC Turntable with an Empire Cartridge. Allison Speakers and a Marants Receiver. $1,700 and almost bought it with $20 down and $20 a week... I was running a rat shack 4 watt amp, FM car radio with home built power supply, home built speakers and a gerard turntabe.
My first system was probably 1978 or so I was eighteen. A Harman Kardon Citation 19 amp ( I really wanted a 16 but could not swing it and by that time I think the line up was changing so as the 16 was not as available) and 17 preamp with homemade Philips speakers that I built from plans in a book from Philips that was in a small journal format. The table was a Rega Planar 3 with a Mayware arm and a Sure MkIII cartridge.

Not long after I ditched the Philips for a pair of Acoustat Model 3's along with a pair of highly modified Dynaco MKIIIs.. and so began the roller coaster ride!

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Pioneer SX1250. It was advertised as the most powerful receiver on the planet...and I wanted one. Never got one, but that was a pretty lofty dream for me. I also wanted a pair of Design Acoustics D-6 speakers...never got them either.
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My 1st ‘high end’ system, purchased in 1970, consisted of Dual 1219 turntable w/shureV15 type II, Teac 4010s tape deck, Sansui AU555 integrated, and Pioneer DX63 speakers. Wish I had purchased Dynaco ST70, AR turntable and 3a speakers. Curently have a Dynaco ST70 that needs refurbishing and AR XA turntable for nostalgia.