What event thrust me into the hobby? I saw and heard McIntosh, Marantz, Telefunken, Harmon Kardon, Sansui, Nikko, Fisher, etc. equipment in my late teens and early twenties. Couldn't come close to affording any of it then. When I finally had some money in my 20's and 30's I bought low-fi out of lack of knowledge. When my last low fi gear deteriorated in my late 40's I was getting into the Internet and found some internet retailers and decided to spend my first thousands on mid fi Marsh gear. That was the beginning of the hobby for me. Then I found Galen Carol Audio and then Audiogon. Wish I had the faith in Audiogon in the beginning that I do know. I could have saved myself so much money!I was afraid to buy someone else's used equipment early on because the concept was so foreign to me. I didn't understand how well most audiophiles care for their equipment. Nor did I understand that there was so much well- cared-for-quipment to buy at large discounts. If I could just get my money back and start over with the knowledge I have now!
What equipment or event thrust you into the hobby?
Many paths have led us into the pursuit of audio nirvana. Was there a single event or piece of equipment in the early years that started you down your path to audio bliss?
I used to sit in front of one of those little portable record players when I was a lad of 3 who loved listening to music...spinning records...and mostly at twilight...and I thought they sounded better in the evening. I moved from kiddie records to 33s, like the South Pacific album...graduating to Georgia Gibbs "Dance with me Henry" at 4, Sinatra, and anything else my parents decided to bring home. From there, the path led through the origins of rock in the 50s and the classic rock of the 60s and ultimately to jazz (still collecting records). My first credible system was built around a Marantz 2252B receiver, a Dual 1214 turntable, drving and feeding a pair of Advents. Saul Marantz must have known what he is doing because that receiver is still alive and kicking today, the only investment being a few cans of tuner spray.
I used to sit in front of one of those little portable record players when I was a lad of 3 who loved listening to music...spinning records...and mostly at twilight...and I thought they sounded better in the evening. I moved from kiddie records to 33s, like the South Pacific album...graduating to Georgia Gibbs "Dance with me Henry" at 4, Sinatra, and anything else my parents decided to bring home. From there, the path led through the origins of rock in the 50s and the classic rock of the 60s and ultimately to jazz (still collecting records). My first credible system was built around a Marantz 2252B receiver, a Dual 1214 turntable, drving and feeding a pair of Advents. Saul Marantz must have known what he is doing because that receiver is still alive and kicking today, the only investment being a few cans of tuner spray.