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Who Do You Credit For Getting You Into This Hobby?

I didn't know which forum to post this in so I hope it's alright to have done so in "Speakers".

When you look back over this obsessive hobby of ours, who do you give credit for helping you take the plunge? I am extremely grateful to Albert Porter and John Fort, who were salesmen at Arnold and Morgan (Dallas) in the mid-to-late 70s (I believe Albert might actually have been the sales manager), and spent a lot of time with me to assist in finding the best system for my tastes and budget. They also treated me the same as their male customers, and never made me feel like the minority (female) that I was in this particular hobby. Their love of the hobby was infectious, and I quickly became enamored with the quest for getting the sound right. That first small system was comprised of a middle-of-the line Yamaha receiver (1977), Yamaha speakers, and a Dual turntable. I still own the Dual turntable and have kept it for its sentimental value. It is currently not in use although it is still operational almost 30 years later.

So, thank you, Albert Porter and John Fort, for taking the time to help me all those years ago. It's also evident here at Audiogon that Albert continues to help all of us as we pursue this endeavor, a few of us much older than when we originally began the journey.

--Mary
mcrheist

Showing 2 responses by r_f_sayles

r_f_sayles's avatar
r_f_sayles
872 posts
 
I'll start with crediting my dear old dad for his interest in great jazz recordings. He and my mom watched every dime that ever passed through their hands but, one thing they agreed on dropping the mother-load on was a great all tube (of course) mono Hifi back in 1955. I grew up with the sounds of Bennie Goodman to Miles and Hendrix to Ziggy Stardust. Growing up in Motown didn't hurt any and the tube tuner in that set-up was sweet, set to CKLW.

I also have an Aunt that introduced me to classical music with piano lessons and good concert seats at the Detroit Orchestra Hall well before my teen years. That was probably the thing that put the fine tune on my ears for Hifi equipment. I had to hear the sounds of that hall when I couldn't get a seat.

Then came The Absolute Sound Hifi shop on Woodward Ave. in Royal Oak and the purchase of my Linn Sondek Lp12 in 1982. Wow! Did that thing get me digging for the vinyl. Still does. There are a lot of people to thank.

Happy Listening!
r_f_sayles's avatar
r_f_sayles
872 posts
 
You know, the thing is, it all keeps coming back to the music... the equipment's cool and all but when I get a jones for that magical thing that happens in a live performance... Just Sunday night we were at a benefit "Revenge of the Book Eaters" for 826Michigan in ypsilanti at the old Pease Auditorium. It was a poetry slam with kids in a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students aged 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills. The kids were outstanding and then in a supporting effort the Canadian based Cowboy Junkies came on stage and performed six songs for our delight. These are some of those magical moments.... Picture Margo Timmins on center mike with here brother Michael Timmins on acoustic guitar to her left and Jeff Bird on Harmonica and Mandolin, stage right. The sound of that old auditorium was grand and they played nicely a selection of their songs including "A horse in the country" and also covered Joni Mitchell's "River" from "Blue" and Bruce Springsteen from "Devils & Dust". The air went thick and time stood still for just a short time, it was splendid and that it what I long for each and every time I warm up my tube amps and pull out another record for the turntable.

Happy Listening!
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