Where did you start?

[OneMalt]

My wife was going through some old photos last night and found this shot (sorry about the quality - I had to scan an old poor Polaroid). She's taking every opportunity she can to remind me of my humble beginnings and how fortunate I am to have a kind, understanding soul who "lets" me spend "our" money on extravagant equipment.

This wasn't my first system but it was the first system where I had made some upgrades with a bit of knowledge and forethought. I had a plan. Judging from the apartment, this was 1979 and we were in our second year of marriage. Money was always tight but I tried to get the best I could within my means. I enjoyed the hell out of this system and duly impressed all my friends who pretty much considered Lloyds systems as "as good as it gets".

From the top down:
Technics SL-1900 turntable
Pioneer CT-F900 cassette deck (a gift from my wife)
Yamaha CA-810 integrated amp
Tamaha CT-810 tuner

To the right you can see one of my Mach 1 speakers and on top of it sits a BIC FM10 Beam Box.

Does anyone else have an old shot lying around of their early flirtation with the hobby?

[Masterlu]

I wished I did, we could all get a good laugh!

[Alberto]

For me, the McIntosh passion started with a C34V, MR80 and MC250 - see pic.

Alberto

[Basite]

I started with:
New Large Advent speakers, which I recycled from the HT system, when they were being replaced by B&W 602's
Yamaha RX-V590RDS, was unused since it was it was replaced by a new Yamaha for the HT system, only used it for a very short while (one channel died, wasn't worth repairing).
Then went to Kenwood KR-730, recycled from garage system, temporarily, also from dad (as were the advents)
kenwood 'something' (don't remember) semi automatic turntable, also from dad, was unused.
Computer as source.

So basically, I recycled dad's first system from back in 1980.

my system then rapidly evolved to what it is now, and I'm happy for the moment

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Supercronopio]

I started with my Dad's Kenwood receiver and KLH Speakers with a Sony CD player c.a 1988. Then Sony receivers, a Sony preamp, Yamaha MX-2, PS Audio preamp, Creek 5350, Antique Sound Labs Tube Integrated, Magnepan MMgs, JBL S38s, NHT Super Zeros, Super 1s. Then The McIntosh C220 with MC252, and now my current system.

[Supercronopio]

I did have a set of Bose 3.1s in there somewhere, but I traded them for some records and a case of beer.

[MC352]

My first "system" was believe it or not, a Zenith Receiver, with a built in 8 track. The tuner display was lit by fiber optics. I built myself a pair of 2 way speakers. I used birch plywood for the boxes, and stained them in a walnut finish.

I also had a light organ connected to the system, that I built. I remember thinking that the system sounded really good. And in the dark with the light organ running it was very cool!

From there when I first got married, I got myself a Yamaha receiver, a pair of JBL speakers, a Micro-Seiki Turntable, an equalizer ( don't remember the brand), and a Teac tape deck.

[jdandy]

My very first audio component was a Trio (early Kenwood) receiver I purchased in Yokosuka, Japan in 1968, and brought back to the US. It was a tube receiver, all of about 18 watts. It did not stay with me very long, and was gone after my first experience with a pair of McIntosh MC30 mono tube amps. The Trio could not touch the Macs.

This photo is not of my actual receiver, but it was this model Trio, that was my early beginning. The Trio didn't light my audio fire, but the McIntosh sure did.

[hkval]

1965 - Eico Integrated (built from kit) Electrovoice extended range 15" speakers (built the cabinets) Garrard record changer and lamp cord - sounded great.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by hkval

1965 - Eico Integrated (built from kit) Electrovoice extended range 15" speakers (built the cabinets) Garrard record changer and lamp cord - sounded great.

Howard.......You have come a long ways. Were the old system set up next to your present system, you wouldn't give it five minutes time.