Though both came long after my love affair with music began, two events were key in nurturing my interest in "proper equipment". The first was taking a job selling stereo equipment. Talk about a kid in a candy store. It was here that I first learned just how important properly matched equipment is in the reproduction of music. The second came on the heels of hard times. Jobless and lacking any prospects, a friend allowed me to move into the recording studio he and his brother owned. Full access to not only superb equipment (tonight I'll listen to these monitors and that amp...), but also a very extensive album collection, all at my disposal. For some reason being unemployed at that time didn't depress me in the least!
How, all this obsession started
I remember in 70's, back in Yugoslavia, collecting the "catalogs" Technics, Tannoy McIntosh...i "knew" about belt drive t-table, being sonicaly "superior" to direct drive, i "knew" that "Revox" was the best reel-to-reel, Nacamichi best casset deck, and Thorens "best" turntable. Even i never had to chance to acctualy see it, never mind listened. never. Remembre the old "Grunding" "quadrofonic" reciever, that our family friend had it (after years of working in Germany)and listening for the first time "The Dark side of the moon". Than me "bulding" big boxes and mounting "low" quality car speakers inside them, than all hookin-it up with the lamp cord and "phono" jack, into the headphones output (mono of course)of the Radio-cassete deck. ...so i had chance to "finally' hear what is "all" about. The "New Year" 79-80, my brothers friend invited us to the party...and he had "classic" Marantz reciever (brand new)Technic's T-table and Wharfadale -70 speakers! WoW! I was blown away! Only when i moved to US, six years later i was able to seriously consider buying my first Hi-Fi system! And i did, in 1987 went to the best stereo shop in Las Vegas (the upper-ear) and bought me a NAD separates, and Klipch heresy II speakers! Well, my first "ex" took care of that after the divorce. However i still have a Nad cassete deck i was able to "save".