1. High School: Motorola Portable Suitcase (the original boom box?), detachable speakers, flip down turntable, flip over stylus 33/78.
2. College: BSR from Sam Goody’s, I don’t know what cartridge it had
3. Age 25: Garrard Changer (in the Fisher President II I inherited) (still had the BSR).
4. Working Youngster: Gift, to repair: Thorens TD124 with SME 3009 II
Helped my elderly friend choose/setup new stuff for himself. (also gave me his Fisher 500C). This is when I started buying better MM cartridges, up to Shure V15VxMR & AT440ML. Avoiding MC, they all hummed back then.
5. My ’CDs are Better’ Era: Audio Technica AT-120 (with adjustable arm height). Replaced my Thorens because it’s bearing didn’t like my springy wood floor. This is still my recommended ’starter TT’ to prove you will stick with vinyl. Still MM.
6. Covid Era, joined Audiogon 2019, with help here: Overhaul Everything: My current beloved JVC TT81 with 3 tonearms. Finally tried MC with SUT, no hum.
7. Office Overhaul: Mitsubishi LT-5V Vertical TT
8. Garage Shop: Technics Compact Programmable SL-J33 (gave to my son)
9. Garage/Shop Overhaul: Stackable Sony FL-1 with upgraded cartridge with ML stylus, allowed a taller stack below (no need to open the top of the SL-J33). My Vintage ’everything’ system: 8 Track; Dual Cassette; CD Changer, Full Featured Yamaha Receiver. Of course a Chase RLC-1 for remote volume and mute while working down there.
Receivers back then were wider than other components.
