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Remembering some past systems

107.178.39.128
Posted on July 19, 2016 at 11:38:11
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 My first ever that I bought about 1975 at age 15 from lawn money

Superscope Integrated Amp
Royal Tuner (junk)
BSR changer w/ mag cart
Sonic speakers 8 inch two way

My second system and first over a grand about 1978

Pioneer SX-1250
B&O 3404 w/ MMC 20EN
Polk RTA-12

I sold it to Mark Vann, banjo player for Leftover Salmon

Sometime in the late eighties I had this

Unknown amplifier
Kenwood CDP
Minimus 7's with a poassive sub
Thorens TD 125 Mk II


Early nineties I got this

Advent 300
HK Citation V
Denon DP 25 w Klipsch branded MC cart w ruby cantilever
Ortofon MC 76 step up to Holman phono in the Advent
Audio Pro or Source can never remember Sub sealed nice made in Sweeden
Harbeth HLP-3 on nice shot filled stands

Later in the nineties

CJ PV 2AR
NAD 2200
Toshiba 5 disc that weighed a ton two grsnd nrw bought broke for $50 put in new laser assy
ADS M9 then Polk SDA 1A after flood damage.

Now have my gear listed here. So lets hear some of your gear!





ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

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RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 19, 2016 at 12:07:29
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46278
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 Elementary School years:
- Dad's tape recorder, 5-tube AM table radio, record player in a box with the folding lid and speaker up front. Any larger outboard speaker I could find to replace the ones that were built-in to the equipment.

Jr High into High School years:
- RadioShack / Realistic all in one Receiver / turntable combo with Realistic bookshelf speakers. I don't recall the model numbers.

1980's:
- Used Kenwood KA-8100 (or similar) integrated amp. Don't recall the exact model but it wasn't 'high-end'. Akai cassette player. JBL L-100 Speakers.

Early 1990's:
- Sony Receiver. Sony cassette player. Sony CD player. JBL L-100 speakers.

Mid 1990's:
- Used Classe DR-10 amp. Used Classe CP-45 preamp. Used Cal Icon MKII CD player. Used Thiel CS1.5 speakers.

I was hooked after that and have had literally a dozen or more SS and tube amps over the years. Same for linestages and CDPs. My only serious speakers since the 1990's have been: Tannoy Definition D500s, Thiel CS1.5, Thiel CS2.4.

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 19, 2016 at 12:24:47
jhrlrd
Audiophile

Posts: 135
Joined: October 21, 2014
 Started with a Soundesign 8 track/receiver and speakers. late'70s

Then to a Kyocera Cd player, Hafler 500 amp/pre, B&W 802 speakers(yuk). late '80s

Then Wadia DAC/transport, ARC LS7 pre, Classe DR3 amp, Thiel 2.2 speakers. '90s. Stock power cords, cheap ICs. This combo had good synergy, the speakers didn't reproduce the hiss the amp made that was apparent with more efficient speakers.

current state: oppo/modwright 105, Modwright 36.5 pre, first watt F6 amp
& the same Thiel 2.2s but with rebuilt external crossovers, new midrange drivers & external tweeters on top.

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 19, 2016 at 13:35:43
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46278
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
I wanted those Thiel 2.2s you have but they were out of my reach back then so I went with the smaller CS1.5.

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 19, 2016 at 13:36:57
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8468
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023
 Bought with money from job at local pizza place:

!st system

NAD 3020 (in use in son's system as amp)
Dual CS505 with Ortofon cart.
Nikko NT 850 Tuner
HK 7600 CD player (died after 15 years - one of my favorite components)
Cerwin Vega 12 in. 3 way (don't remember model, but they rocked)
Replaced CVs with Maggie SMGa

Next in rough step

Adcom 565 preamp (in use in son's system)
Crown DC 300A (in reserve)
Nikko tuner (died)
NAD 541 CD player (died after 3 years)
Rega Planar 3 (Grado FTE-1 and Rega cart.) (waiting for me to wake up from digititus)
SMGa (sold)
ProAC Studio 100 - very quickly traded up to ProAC Studio 3 (current mains)

Current System is in profile.
Gsquared

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 19, 2016 at 14:01:39
jhrlrd
Audiophile

Posts: 135
Joined: October 21, 2014
 I auditioned the 1.5s and didn't like them. I brought my amp to the store which was gracious enough to let me try them on my amp. Sounded like they were suffering from over-excursion, couldn't handle the power form any of the amps I tried available at the store, so I settled on the 2.2s because they were closer sounding to the 3.6.
Truthfully, I haven't had the funds nor the desire to hump speakers in and out to audition so I still run the 2.2s. I like the fact they are coherent, just like the name suggests. I listen quiet, nearfield, and they have the correct amount of bass at any volume level.
I was disappointed when I changed the 8 buck old school Vifa midrange to a new technology expensive Scan-speak. Unless it needs tons of break-in, the old vifa is just as good. I was hoping for more depth & transparency but didn't get it. The tweeters on top however, was one of the best tweeks I've done, adding the top frequency sparkle I was needing in a dead room.

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 19, 2016 at 14:24:37
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Late 80's to early 90's:
Adcom 565 power amp
Adcom 565 pre-amp
Sony ES cd player
Cerwin Vega AT-12 speaker
Monster Cable speaker cable
Tara Labs interconnects


Late 90's to mid-2000's:
Rotel 1066 pre-amp
Rotel power amp
Sony ES cd player
Phillips sacd player
B&W 805 speaker
Transparent interconnects + speaker cables

2016- Current system building:
Thiel CS 2.4SE

 

RE: past systems, posted on July 19, 2016 at 14:32:41
M3 lover
Audiophile

Posts: 6599
Location: SW Mich
Joined: May 29, 2005
Contributor
  Since: July 4, 2007
 My first stereo system -

Dynakit ST-70
Dynakit PAS-3
Dynakit FM-3
Dual 1009 w/ Empire cartridge
AR-4 pair

That was in the '60s while in college. Since then I've owned so many components I doubt I could even list them all without forgetting at least a few.

And yes, some were forgettable. ;^)


"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 19, 2016 at 14:37:12
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46278
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
Now I want your CS2.4SE's instead! I wouldn't mind the Thiel CS3.7 but they may be a little large for my office listening room. ;-)

P.S. My Thiel CS2.4 are down in the basement stored away for now. I'm using the smaller Tannoy D500's in my office.



 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 19, 2016 at 15:21:00
Macncheez
Audiophile

Posts: 123
Location: Cookeville, TN
Joined: June 25, 2007
 First I can remember (late 60's Dad's equipment) was a Magnavox am/fm tube receiver, Garrard Lab series table and Wards Airline speakers with horns! We then went big time with a Sony STR-6065 receiver, AR3a's and a Dual 1229 table. Later added a Soundcraftsmen EQ and TEAC 450 cassette. In the late 70's I (laid away) McIntosh 2125 and C27 and later added a set of XR5's and then added a B&O 3000. My obsession then went crazy when the internet hit (2000's) and I started trading gear fairly often. I still vividly remember those old system and the joy they brought.

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 19, 2016 at 16:10:04
jhrlrd
Audiophile

Posts: 135
Joined: October 21, 2014
 Ya, I want your 2.4s too...

I remember always wanting something by Revox...
now Nagra.

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 19, 2016 at 16:16:01
bigshow
Audiophile

Posts: 472
Location: WI
Joined: December 3, 2012
 Sold my car in college to buy:
Onkyo A10 integrated amp
Phillips 877 turntables with Sonos Blue Gold cart
JVC cassette deck
Infinity Quantum Jr speakers
A year later added Harmon Kardon tuner and replaced JVC with a Nakamichi 482 cassette deck.
bigshow

 

Ahh, memory lane..., posted on July 19, 2016 at 16:18:15
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
 The first stereo I bought myself was in 1970 while in college - I recall comparing a couple of different models using the Stones "Brown Sugar" - was a KLH Compact system.

After graduating from college and moving to So. CA in 1973, I bought this system at Pacific Stereo in Long Beach for about $700:

Infinity 2000 AXT speakers (with the Walsh tweeter)
Kenwood Qaudraphonic receiver
Dual record changer
Eventually KLH 6s for rear speakers

Then in 1977 shopping for new speakers I discovered high end and the following summer moved into a house with a detached cinder block garage converted to a family room that became my dedicated music room:

Dahlquist DQ-10s
Dahlquist subs
DQLP-1 electronic crossover modded by Van Alstine
Rappaport Pre-1 preamp
Dual Quatre Gain Cell amplifiers
Kenwood KD-500 turntable
Infinity Black Widow tonearm
ADC-XLM II cartridge
Polk Cobra speaker cable
Fulton interconnects

After having listened to at least a half dozen different speakers in the $300-$400 ea range in different audio stores, I came across a pair of DQ-10s playing in the high end room of a Federated big box stereo store in Huntington Beach and it was love at first listen.

Then I heard Dahlquist was coming out with subs and a crossover. I stopped by a small high end store I happened to see near Federated called Havens and Hardesty. I chatted with Richard Hardesty (http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/richard-dick-hardesty-19442014/) and he sold me his first DQ-LP1 crossover when it came in. And he introduced me to TAS.

Fast forward nearly 25 years through a multitude of system changes with 15 years of reviewing equipment to 2001 when I built my last system:

Thiel 7.2s
Manley Neo-Classic 250s
Wadia 850 CD player
MIT Oracle 3 speaker cables
MIT MH-350 Oracle interconnect
Black Diamond Racing Shelves and Cones

Now I can forget about the equipment and just enjoy the music.

 

RE Woulda liked to hear..., posted on July 19, 2016 at 16:27:41
Mr. Dick Hertz
 ...system #2. The DQ-10's were, and in many ways still are, awesome speakers.

 

RE: RE Woulda liked to hear..., posted on July 19, 2016 at 16:44:13
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
 ...it sounded pretty good in the day in the dedicated room but I wished I knew then what I know now about set-up.

 

I built a couple of health kits, in1964,, posted on July 19, 2016 at 16:56:34
gonzo
Audiophile

Posts: 2512
Location: new england
Joined: November 28, 2002
 I think it was an AA 13 amp and an AJ 61 fm tuner. I bought a dual 1019 new for $75 and listened in mono through a 4" thick generic speaker cabinet. In some ways because I didn't have expectations, that system gave me more pleasure than all the hi er end , big $$, always striving, analyzing systems I had over the years. I never realized how expectations shaped my perceptions. It's only taken decades to figure that out! Norm

 

LOL...a long way from quadraphonic 8-track tapes! (nt) , posted on July 19, 2016 at 17:04:30
slapshot
Audiophile

Posts: 2248
Joined: January 9, 2006

 

Andy Rappaport is an unsung genius. nt, posted on July 19, 2016 at 17:18:36
viridian
 nt

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 19, 2016 at 18:21:01
Todd Krieger
Audiophile

Posts: 37333
Location: SW United States
Joined: November 2, 2000
 Some favorite past systems.

College:
Harman/Kardon hk560 receiver.
Technics SL-1700 mk2 Turntable (similar to SL-1200 mk2)
Grace F-9E cartridge.
Saras of America 11 speakers.
Wired with Kimber Kable.

Pre Don Allen:
Promethean CD Director passive line stage
BRB 10 preamp (for phono stage)
Symfonia Opus 10 amplifier (still the best solid state I've owned)
Von Schweikert VR-4.5 speakers. (The Mod 5s I currently use are different but not better.)
JVC XL-Z1050 CD player (for transport)
Prism DA-1 DAC
Linn LP12 TT with Lingo PS, Morch DP6, Transfiguration Temper Supreme

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 19, 2016 at 18:35:07
JURB
Audiophile

Posts: 2056
Location: North Ohio
Joined: May 29, 2016
 "Sold my car in college to buy:..."

When you sell your car to buy audio equipment you belong in an asylum. Oh, right.

I have had so much, and honestly do not know where it went and I couldn't even name half of it. Same with cars. I remember the first one, a 1970 W34 Oldsmobile.

One system I had is worth the memory, long time ago. I had one of those silver screen projection TVs, an Advent five footer, the kind with the mirror up front. Mine had very good tubes in it and actually was aligned right. It was very rare to find one that had good convergence and geometry, but I was an expert in those. Mine worked right, and you could watch it without dimming the room.

With that was a Marantz 4270 in strapped mode feeding the fronts and a SAnsui 771 feeding the rears. They each had separate EQs. The fronts were Fisher XP7s cabinets with Utah woofers, not sure of the mids and tweets but they were dome tweeters. The rears were originally a two way system having like a six inch woofer and an eight inch passive, which I replaced with a four ohm woofer. those needed alot of EQ because the cabinet was simply too small, but with 24 dB range on the old Soundcraftsmen I made them sound good. The fronts didn't need as much EQ. The EQs were set and the tone controls on the Marantz were what was used usually.

Had also a Harmon Kardon HK 4000 VHS VCR, which is one of the very few decks that recorded hifi sound as well as linear stereo with Dolby. Then a beta, Sony SL-HFR60 and HFP100. That could be made to record three channels, one linear though. Tell you what, on that big screen you could really tell that beta was better. (in fact beta S is almost as good as DVD)

And there was a Technics three head cassette deck. I lost that gambling but I was playing it against a Pioneer RG-1.

And all of this was set up to record every which way. Beta, VHS, cassette, no problem. There were problems, I could not let other people mess with it because certain switch combinations would result in feedback and even though my speakers could take it, nobody wants to hear that. And it was LOUD.

Actually I did not have a turntable on that system. I THINK I had a Technics five disk player, and mine had a pitch control. Very rare back then. Whatever whatever 965 pretty sure.

For some reason I sold the bigscreen and that almost caused a war. It was fine, I helped them carry it into the house. Weeks later they call and say it is broke, I agree to go take a look at it and it is not where I felt it and there is a connector with a HV wire pulled out. Stuck it back in and everything was fine. I said I ain't doing it again, there was never a warranty and I did you a favor last time because you manhandled it and broke it. Call a shop.

He said "You don't know who you are talking to, I got connections in the sheriff's department" and I said "Yeah well I got connections too and can make your birth certificate invalid, come on down. I got enough firepower to take on the police, do you, asshole ? ". Like, come on down, bring your boys and we'll stack you and your ns up like cordwood. We invented killing. They think White people will get scared of them, well that one ran into the wrong motherfucker.

Anyway, the Marantz is actually in the garage, half parted out. I got an SL-HFR60 and the original HFP100. I have the HK VCR in the garage (those are actually an NEC N-965U) and am not going to fix it. I now have a Sony SLV-920, one of the few actually made by them. Flying erase head. Second from top of the line that year.

Actually I lied/screwed up. My good system I liked had a high end Panasonic VHS, flying erase of course but I do not remember the model number. There was a fire and the Panasonic got replaced with1 the insurance money by the Sony. That is also what happened to my Dual 1229Q. I tell you this, you look at a turntable like that and see the headshell melted off you need a drink. I know a bunch of you rich fuckers (hope you're getting some) have turntables that pricewise make the 1229Q look like a Close-n-play but those are very good turntables. I know some have the Nakamichi cassette, even the one that flips the tape over itself, but that Technics I had had three heads and adjustable bias and Dolby HX. And you might have a moving coil cartridge but I had an Audio Technica AT13eA. That is a 2X7 hyper eliptical and went up to 30 Khz. And they were only like $150.

Later, I moved on. don't remember the amps that much but I discovered I had a penchant for Boston Acoustics speakers. The old thrown together ones were great but the BAs brought like a coherence to the sound. I gave a blown pair to my Mother, A-70s and believe it or not, somehow we got all four drivers for it for $100. (they were all blown) she gave them to my sister and now when I go see my sister if I turn it on I still go "Damn these things sound good". She had to have the woofers refoamed recently.

Now, Ma has a pair of Bose. I got them for her, I mean she paid for them but where I worked said they were a special deal. I called her and said you gotta get these. These little Bose, MUCH smaller than a toaster will shake the floor. That is when she gave my sister the BAs. But these Bose, I cannot find any model number or anything about them anywhere, and I have tried. The pair was about $250 and I was told that is a great deal. hearing them. I cannot disagree. They aren't ESL-63s but they do sound good.

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 19, 2016 at 19:21:12
jhrlrd
Audiophile

Posts: 135
Joined: October 21, 2014
 Bigshow: I like how you sold your car to buy a rig.

Reminds me when I was delivering papers as a kid, and these college students in a rented house had only a stereo, no furniture, and were blasting classical.

 

What makes you think so?, posted on July 19, 2016 at 19:39:24
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
 ...other than by Peter Aczel, who rated the Pre-1 first place in his big preamp shootout in issue #1 of TAC, he was unknown and unsung.

I recall TAS reviewing the Pre-1 later and saying it was not that good and had an upper midrange glare.

The guy I bought mine from decided he liked the Levinson JC-2 (#2 or #3 in Aczel's survey) better.

So I guess that's pretty impressive for a new designer, but the what happened to him after that?

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 19, 2016 at 20:06:51
kitch29
 Bought a Dynaco SCA-40 Kit, Fisher XP-6s, and a Garrard changer with my first job in the late 60s.

Worked my way up through various electronics, speakers, and front ends until I re-discovered DIY with Bottlehead about 15 years ago and never stopped building, eventually moving on from kits to scratch builds.

The last 2 shots are my current KT-88 mono blocks and 76 Pre-amp which I could happily be buried with. Speakers for the past 8 years are 4 Pis.



















 

His amp ran so hot it was ..., posted on July 19, 2016 at 20:46:31
reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 13127
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
  Since: January 19, 2010
 ...borderline dangerous. I've never encountered an amp that ran hotter.

On the plus side, it didn't sound awful.

Dean.




reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

the 1 that will always stick in my memory was dual Apt Holman amps.., posted on July 19, 2016 at 20:52:33
popsy
Audiophile

Posts: 2713
Location: oregon
Joined: March 4, 2007
 Apt Holman preamp, Rega Original Planar 3 with Grace F9E-Ruby, Rogers LS3/5A's with dual Satterburg subs...now that was a system :)

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 19, 2016 at 21:01:10
DKL
Audiophile

Posts: 1046
Location: Deland, FL
Joined: November 20, 2001
 My first system was purchased in 1979 in Lafayette, LA:
JVC 35 wpc receiver with equalizer
Cizek Model 1 speakers
that was it - not even a turntable!


Within just a few weeks I took advantage of the store's upgrade policy and traded up to:
Kenwood 50 wpc integrated amp
Sanyo Plus Series TT with Ortofon cartridge
JBL L50 speakers


A year later, after moving back to Florida, I sold the amp and turntable and upgraded to:
Phase Linear 8000 tangent tracking TT
Kenwood 80 wpc integrated amp
Onkyo T-4090 tuner

Shortly thereafter, I swapped my JBLs for a Ibanez Artist electric guitar, and purchased a pair of computer-bass controlled KLH-3 speakers (small but great speakers for the money). Incremental changes included an AIWA tape deck, an Onkyo receiver with DIGITAL preset (big deal at the time), and a Bang and Olufsen Beogram 8000 tangent tracking turntable. A few years later, Mirage SM-1 speakers replaced the KLHs. No noteworthy changes for several years until I finally got a "real job" and..enter 1991:


Conrad-Johnson PV11 preamp
Adcom 545 amp
Nad preamp tuner
Acoustat Spectra-1100 electrostat speakers
Sonogram CD player

1995:
Purchased a Muse Model 160 amp


2000:
Replaced the PV11 with a CJ PFR solid state preamp
Added a pair of NHT 2.9 speakers and paired with the Adcom amp and NAD preamp tuner


2001:
Sold the Acoustats to a fellow in Spain (who paid over 800.00 for shipping). Then went through several pairs of speakers within the next year, including:
Soundlab Dynastat
Gershman Avant Garde RX-20
Triangle Zays
Merlin TSM monitors with Osiris stands
Reynaud Evolution 3


Along with the speakers above, I purchased JPS Labs Superconductor speaker cables and tried several amp solutions, including:

Magnum Dynalab receiver (loved it)
Rogue 99 Magnum preamp with Model 88 amp
Simaudio I-5 integrated
Bel Canto EVO 200.2 amp
LFD Mistral integrated


After moving to a new home in 2002, of course I need to try a few more components...starting with:

Electrocompaniet ECI-3 integrated
Merlin VSM-SE
Heart tubed CD player


Cayin A265 Class A integrated
Joseph Audio RM-25 XL
Electrocompaniet ECD1 DAC


2003:

Coda Continuum Unison 3 integrated
Tyler Acoustics Taylo monitors (followed sequentially by the Linbrook monitors, Model 3 two-piece system, and Linbrook Signatures)


2004:
Unison Research Unico
Reynaud Trente speakers
Cambridge Audio CD player
PS Audio speaker cables


2005:
BAT 300x-SE integrated
Merlin VSM-M speakers
Magnum Dynalab MD-102 tuner
Naim CD-5


2006:
Ayre Ax-7e integrated
YBA Passion 100 integrated
Accuphase E-305 integrated
Belles 150 A Reference
Bel Canto SEP-1 preamp
Merlin VSM-MXe speakers (still own)
McCormack UDP-1 DVD/CD player (still own)


2008:
Added Audience AU-24 cabling all around (interconnects and speaker cable) and upgraded to the Merlin Master BAM.

2010:
Primare I-30 integrated amp

2014 (current system):
Bel Canto 2.5 DAC
Merlin VSM-MXe
Upgraded Audience AU-24 cables to SE versions
Neodio NR600 Signature integrated (best SS integrated I've heard)
Grace internet tuner
McCormack UDP-1 DVD/CD player




 

Was the unknown amplifier good ? ..., posted on July 19, 2016 at 21:14:47
reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 13127
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
  Since: January 19, 2010
 I've had far too many combinations to remember. It all started with a JVC (Nivico) compact with a BSR table on top. That got me through high school. Once in college I bought ...

1976
Harman Kardon 330C, receiver
Pioneer PL12DII, turntable
Audio Technica AT 13ea, cartridge
Genesis Physics Model One, speakers.

As modest as it was, that system opened my ears to what hi-fi was all about.

I changed all components of that system multiple times and ended up with ...

1978
NAD 1020, preamp
Hafler 200, power amp
Luxman PD-272, turntable
Dynavector DV23 (Ruby), cartridge
Allison 3, speakers

I continued to change things around at random. I was a gear head ...perhaps an addict. Most of the changes I made were for the sake of change.

After college I had this system for quite a few years ...

1982
Yamaha C2a, preamp
McIntosh MC-2155, power amp
Thorens TD-126, turntable
Signet XK-50, tonearm
Signet TK-7E, cartridge
Nakamichi ZX7, cassette deck
Pioneer RT-1011L, reel-to-reel
ADS L1230, speakers

That's the system I have the fondest memories of.

The next decade I owned more gear than was sensible and never really had a "system" for very long. One component was always less than a couple of months old. When I finally settled down I had ...

1994 (or thereabout)
ARC SP-9 MKIII, preamp
ARC D300, power amp
Micro Seiki BL-51, turntable
Audioquest PT9, tonearm
Accuphase AC2, cartridge
ARC CD2, CD player
Snell CV, speakers

I really liked that system. It was sonically very much like the 1982 system I was so fond of.

Big speakers and lots of power can be quite a lot of fun.

Dean.





reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 20, 2016 at 06:15:43
marlin
Audiophile

Posts: 154
Location: Sandy, Oregon
Joined: November 20, 2012
 First stereo (at age 16) was a Sound Design receiver with an 8 track player built in.

Second was a HK quad receiver (remember those?)with 4 Bose 501's and a BSR TT.

Third, sold my motorcycles (too much pain) in 1975 and bought an all Pioneer system including the Spec 1 and 2, 9500 tuner, 9191 cassette (lemon) HPM 200 speakers, Empire 698 table with Sure V15 cart (what a bargain for around $3200). Enjoyed the hell out of that for 10 years, sold it then bought it back 20 years later and gave it to my son. Still have most of the system in my garage.

Fourth was a Carver system, 1.0T amp C2 pre, TX11 tuner and Kef 103.3's and M&K sub.
Fifth and current, Cary SLI80 and Phase Linear 700B in bi amp configuration, DSpeaker 2.0, Music 7 table, OPPO 95, Von Schweikert VR-22, AKG 701 cans.
Very happy at this point.

Future plans possibly Cary SLP-98 pre and a Pass Labs amp at some point.


Without music what is there?

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 20, 2016 at 08:23:44
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 They are very sweet guys! The CS 2.4 is still an excellent speaker, no doubt.

jhrlrd: how do you like the Thiel/Modwright/first watt synergy?
which cabling are you using. PLease post pics of your CS 2.2 speakers!

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 20, 2016 at 08:24:06
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Beautiful pics- guys!

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 20, 2016 at 10:06:04
geoffkait
 Rogers LS3/5a
(2) 200 lb cement drainpipes, 6' with 10" woofers in bottoms
Crown amp driving subs
BWS modded Dynaco preamp
Prototype David Berning amp

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 20, 2016 at 11:01:23
jhrlrd
Audiophile

Posts: 135
Joined: October 21, 2014
 fantja: Great synergy. The 2.2s although may not be very sensitive, are an easy load, never dipping below 3.? ohms. I drove them no problem with a tube amp in triode 18w mode.
I don't have anything fancy for speaker cable. Using Morrow's better models, and have in hand a Mark Tunis pair. The speaker cables are hard wired into the external crossovers, then hard wired to the cones.
Interconnects I have a HFC CT-1E from oppo to modwright pre. Pre to amp is TEO liquid GC.
The TEO is hard to describe: It give a slightly different presentation, can't say this or that specifically is better, just everything is better.
Worth a try.

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 20, 2016 at 11:12:04
hawkmoon
Audiophile

Posts: 903
Location: cleveland
Joined: July 11, 2003
 I'm sure the bass was solid! Would love to see a picture of that sub. Very cool

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 20, 2016 at 11:24:49
geoffkait
 The bass was tighter than a bull's rectum.

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 20, 2016 at 11:45:02
Mike B.
Audiophile

Posts: 26350
Location: OR
Joined: September 27, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 1, 1999
 My first that was mine was a high school graduation gift of a new Magnavox suitcase style stereo. After college, a used Eico tube Integrated, Gerard 40 turntable with shure cartridge and Utah 8 inch coaxial speakers in homebuilt boxes. That was followed by several Marantz receivers, Gerard Z100 turntable and double Utah coaxial speakers in 10 cubic foot boxes. Everything got out of hand after that. Infinity Servo Statik speakers tri amped. Two generations of Audio Research Tympany loudspeakers and ARC tube gear. That brings it up to the mid 1970's

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 20, 2016 at 14:13:36
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 jhrlrd-

you certainly have an interesting hodge/podge of cabling. Nothing wrong w/ that- how about some pics?

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 20, 2016 at 14:24:46
jhrlrd
Audiophile

Posts: 135
Joined: October 21, 2014
 Hodge podge would be the correct term fantja.
you should see the power cables: foundation research, triode wire labs, DCCA ribbon, dreamcatcher(don't know if that's the brand or model) to the power conditioner, Bybee.
Trouble is, I don't really know where to best utilize them on which component. So every once in a while I'll swap two. Usually don't hear any difference.

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 20, 2016 at 17:47:46
kuma
Audiophile

Posts: 10272
Location: IN
Joined: July 8, 2001
 70s: All Japanese
Technics CD-4 System
Teac Cassette deck

80s: No stereo
Too busy

90s: All US-SS
Krell CD player
Krell amps
Avalon speakers
Cardas wires

00s: All US-Tube
Krell CD player
Art Audio single ended triode amps
Paramount speakers
NBS wires

Current: All UK
Linn Sondek Record player
Naim CD player
Naim amps
Linn DMS
Naim wires

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 20, 2016 at 18:27:00
mpcrnc@aol.com
Audiophile

Posts: 92
Joined: July 3, 2002
 70's Stacked large Advents. Tandberg 1020. Philips TT Late 70's Magneplanar Tympani 1-c. Audio Research SP3a-1 .Quatre Gain Cell./Berning 150.Lux PD 121./ 80's Stacked Quad 57. RH labs subwoofers. SP3a1.Paoli 60 m (4). 90's. Quad 63 USA monitors. Berning tf 12. Berning zh 270. 2000. Quad 57 PK rebuild.Entec Subwoofers. Berning electronics. No change in the last 16 years other than cables.

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 20, 2016 at 18:39:21
pbarach
Audiophile

Posts: 3306
Location: Ohio
Joined: June 22, 2008
 My first system was ca. 1988:
Carver CT-1 preamp (still have it, works great, use it for digitizing LPs)

Carver m1.0t (still use it for my front speakers)

AR-XA turntable (don't recall the cartridge)

Carver Amazing Loudspeakers (sold 'em)

 

Not as hot as this one!, posted on July 21, 2016 at 05:13:28
MannyE
Audiophile

Posts: 2088
Location: Miami Beach
Joined: March 4, 2001
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3_-2fUm6y0

I'll bet.

 

20+ years with a Phase Linear 400, posted on July 21, 2016 at 06:38:12
Feanor
Audiophile

Posts: 9842
Location: London, Ontario
Joined: June 17, 2003
Contributor
  Since: March 12, 2004
 No wonder my interest in hi-fi waned in that interval. The only thing that PL 400 bearable was my B&W DM7 speakers which were rolled-off and totally lacking in dynamics.

Only when I finally switched to Magneplanars did I realized that something was horribly wrong.


Dmitri Shostakovich

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 21, 2016 at 13:33:18
docw
Audiophile

Posts: 8115
Location: So. California
Joined: July 23, 2004
Contributor
  Since: November 29, 2004
 is this early system only, or all the systems I remember? I guess it was multiple in the heading.

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 21, 2016 at 14:04:06
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37565
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 I'll begin with the earliest content mentioned in a post from January here.

System circa '85 now used Ariston RD-11s (relative to Linn-Sondek LP12) with Souther TQ-1 arm and Shinon Red Boron. Audio Research SP-6C and Threshold Stasis 3 with new Acoustat 2+2 using Medallion interfaces.



I kept the 2+2s for over twenty years. I'll skip a couple of changes, but here was final flavor circa '01 using current VTL amps. Was using SP-9MKIII preamp for vinyl source and DACT Attenuators with GamuT CD-1.






 

Shinon red..., posted on July 22, 2016 at 11:00:39
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
 ...back in the 1980s I was sent one to review.

I accidentally twisted the stylus - the only time I was that clumsy.

Fortunately the manufacturer was very nice about it.

I liked the cartridge.

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 22, 2016 at 12:12:29
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Very nice pics! E-Stat.

 

RE: Remembering some past systems, posted on July 22, 2016 at 12:35:22
FRO
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 76
Joined: March 8, 2001
 Updated my Timeline Pics!!


[B]1981[/B] - (Just after I moved to Austin after graduating Texas Tech)
My first real stereo was an SAE electronics rack similar to this one, along with some JBL Jubile speakers & Denon turntable.
Bought it for $2000 from a buddy of mine.

[IMG]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7498/15617138198_379bd1bdc8_o.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7576/15617751520_ab60014705_c.jpg[/IMG]


[B]Year 1996[/B]

Genesis II.5 speakers, Spectral 180 amp and 20 preamp, MIT770 cables, Sony XA7es cd, Pioneer Elite CLD-99 Laserdisc, Sony SLV-R1000 S-VHS, Sony 65XBR tv.

[IMG]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5610/15748994985_a0c6a01089_b.jpg[/IMG]


[B]Year 1999[/B]
Krell 20il digital, Pass Labs, Genesis 200 speakers

[IMG]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7542/15162587434_e50e812549_o.jpg[/IMG]


[B]Next System was 2001[/B] -
Pass Labs amp, Dynaudio Temptation speakers, Sony digital.

[IMG]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5611/15761532422_edca5789fa_o.jpg[/IMG]


[B]Next System was 2004[/B] -
Aerial 20T speakers, Theta Digital amps and DA/Preamp

[IMG]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3938/15736271386_9b11d7f67c_o.jpg[/IMG]


[B]Current System -[/B]
Esoteric D-02, Ayre MXR amps, Oppo 105 DVD, Mojo Audio modded Mac-Mini with Joule Power Supply, Evolution Acoustics MM3 speakers.

[IMG]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/12685316823_a7db5e81fd_b.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2879/9638139146_b94281cbb8_c.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8668/15762111950_500401b7d7_o.jpg[/IMG]

 

RE: Shinon red..., posted on July 24, 2016 at 10:28:59
M3 lover
Audiophile

Posts: 6599
Location: SW Mich
Joined: May 29, 2005
Contributor
  Since: July 4, 2007
 I'm quite sure it was back in the '80s I bought a used Shinon Red Boron from a friend. Very soon after that the cantilever collapsed so I took a chance and returned it to the importer, in Canada at that time. To my surprise and delight, they replaced it with a new one. I still have it and it is in my system at this time as a matter of fact.

So this one has proven to be amazingly durable. Admittedly it has been in and out of the system several times over the years as I have other cartridges too. So no way to estimate the hours of play. As I've admitted here before, I've had younger ears listen to it for signs of wear/distortion but they report even the upper ranges sound clear and crisp.

E-Stat, it seems we've had a few parallels in our systems in addition to the Shinon. I also had Acoustat 2+2s (though with their SS amp and preamp), ARC SP-9, and VTL amps (Delux 300s) at various times.

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

 

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