What was your first "hi-end" component ?

[Toccata]

Back in the day, a Phase Linear 4000 preamp and 400II power amp.

[antaresbluespirit]

Originally Posted by lakesailor

From your own perspective, what was your very first component you purchased that got your started on your audio journey?

1976 Revox B77

[scirica]

It was "high end" to me at the time. Kenwood separates KT-8300 and KA-8500. Circa 1980's

[Lefisc]

My first high end set was my brother' s in 1968. It was a Lafayette receiver, Criterion speakers, and a Gerrard 55 turntable. I think we had a Shure 91 or 19 stylus. We loved it

[Jack in Wilmington]

I remember going to my friends house in the early 90's and he had a CD player. I believe it was a Denon. It was the kind with the magazine that held three CD's at a time. I was fascinated that music could come off of these shiny little discs. I was still using my Gerrard turntable and my Sansui receiver and speakers. Shortly after that we bought a new house and as things happen in the move my albums got put in the basement. Then we had a bad storm come through and the power went out while we were at work. With the power out the sump pump didn't work and the basement flooded with a foot of water and destroyed my entire album collection. That was my incentive to by a CD player and I bought a Sony ES player and joined a couple record clubs and started my CD collection.

[hifidelitea]

Harmon Kardon Citation 16 Power Amp (diagonal LED's) and Citation 12 Pre amp.
JBL Century 100 Speakers (still remember the foam grills)
Dual CS turntable with Shure stylus

Those were the days....

[blacsno]

My first Hi-end was the "Close N' Play Phonograph" sucker only did 45's! Parents just didn't get my analog love but they tried! The second Hi-end was Nakamichi 7A pre -amp, amp, and tuner. The amp died long ago, but the tuner is still in use. The pre-amp with remote is still in a box. Oh the cassette player is a 5A in a box. I remember how pissed my Dad was when he saw what I paid for that system. "@$*#&^" You could have bought a NEW car instead of that "(&#!@*" you're driving errrrr walking! Geee I miss him so....

Ken

[Picto]

My first "hi-end" component was a stereo cassette deck Alpage AL-300 (by Alpine Electronics Inc. from 1979 to 1983). I was looking for a Nakamichi machine and ended with an Alpage one because of a promotional opportunity. Here is a photo found on the web... many buttons for many settings.



Bertrand

[mfoley3]

My first "high end" system consisted of an AR XA turntable with a Shure M91ED cartridge, a Kenwood 7200 receiver (I think that was the model) and a pair of AR 5 three way acoustic suspension speakers. I used an old bookcase as a stand for the turntable and receiver and two old end tables as speaker stands. Interconnects were from Radio Shack and speaker cables were a heavier gauge lamp cord sourced from the local hardware. I was in heaven!

[harrypj]

An AR turntable. I got this in 1971 while in college. Still have it. Been modified with different tone arm AT1005, modified springs, extra dampening and high end RCA plugs to be able to use better cables.