I started my audio journey back in the 70's. I was in my mid teens. A close family friend was into hifi and had a modest system (wife controlled ). He also had lots of hifi mags, which I discovered and devoured. This period was really the birth of my love for all things audio. The 70's and 80's were imo the golden age for audio equipment.
My first system was a Rega Planar 2, Grado cartridge, Sansui AU217 and AR18 speakers (bought from Studio 99 in Swiss Cottage, somewhere on the Edgware Road and somewhere on the Edgware Road respectively). I loved that system.
A few years later I discovered the Naim Nait which opened my eyes to PRaT. Many years later (and after emigrating from UK to Canada) I ended up with a top end (at the time) Naim setup 52/135s.
I recently jumped off the Naim upgrade ladder to Teddy Pardo gear, which I am extremely happy with. Current system is Roksan 20+, Naim ARO with sKale counterweight, Roksan Shiraz, Vertere speed controller, Roksan Reference phono stage, Teddy Pardo PR1/ST60 active with Naim Snaxo 242/Teddy Supercap, Naim SL2 speaker, BK subwoofer. Digital side is via SBT and Teddy DAC.
The components that made the biggest impression on me over the years:
Owned:
Naim Nait (so that's what people mean when they say PRaT)
Naim Supercap
Naim NAC 52
Teddy PR1 Preamp (Ousted my 52)
Naim ARO (huge upgrade over the Roksan Artemiz)
Naim SL2
Didn't own:
Naim DBL
Roksan Darius speakers (the ones with the spring mounted tweeter and skeletal stands)
I like all kinds of music but tend to spend most of my time in the alternative genre.
I am lucky enough to have a dedicated audio room safely tucked away in the basement in which I can share musical experiences with like-minded friends.