Your first hifi system? - a trip down memory lane

[jandl100]

Not sure if this has been done before, but inspired by The Barbarian's current Gallery thread .....

Your 1st stereo system, now what would that be?

Mine? ....
Ah, yes - Technics SB301 speakers, Sony TA1150 amp (http://www.thevintageknob.org/SONY/sonyvault/TA1150/TA1150.html), Pioneer PL12D tt (http://www.thevintageknob.org/pioneer-PL-12D.html), Ortofon VMS20Eii, Akai AT580 tuner
Must have been 40 years ago!

http://audiozavar.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/p1070792.jpg

http://www.m-webdesign.de/home/images/stories/hifi-oldies/Sony%20TC%201150/sony%20ta%201150.jpg

http://www.hifidatabase.com/static/gallery/7/7167-pio_PL-12D.JPG

http://www.ortofon.com/images/stories/cartridges/vms%20cartridges/Ortofon%20VMS%2020%20Mk%20II.jpg

http://img.canuckaudiomart.com/uploads/large/380052-akai_at580_tuner.jpg

It would probably sound at least half decent today. :)

[The Barbarian]

A&R Cambridge 'A60' Amp/'T21' FM Tuner
J.A.Michell 'Focus One' Turntable/SME '3009,S2 Imp' Pick-Up Arm/Shure 'V15.III' Cartridge
Castle Acoustics 'Richmond' Speakerz

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w425/ELPFAN1968/FocusOne.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/ELPFAN1968/media/FocusOne.jpg.html)

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w425/ELPFAN1968/A60T21.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/ELPFAN1968/media/A60T21.jpg.html)

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w425/ELPFAN1968/RichmondMkII.jpg (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/ELPFAN1968/media/RichmondMkII.jpg.html)

[Kember]

It was the late Seventies.

My TT was surplus out of BBC Radio Oxford. It came with the Shure, in a horrid plinth.

11745

11746

My amp and tuner from a junk shop:

11747

My first speakers (I think from Comet):

11748

The amp blew up shortly after purchase and got this as a replacement:

11749

Peter

[Roy S]

Sorry, your gonna have to stomach this wallpaper/cutain combo again!

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss68/Lodger56/70shifis_zps679c3b8a.jpg

[Tarzan]

That wallpaper is all the go now Roy.

[orbscure]

It was the late 1980's/early 1990's for me, so no wallpaper or curtain shenanigans... just my trusty Rega ACOS with original ACOS arm, A&R Cambridge A60 amp and a pair of unknown speakers:

http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/ss333/LEMB/VM%20Issues/hifi-01_zps5a4be1ba.jpg

I think the cabinets are still sat in the shed, I'll have to go and look later today. The JVC midi system satisfied my CD/radio needs at the time but I did later venture into Pioneer, Sony and then Arcam CD72B CD separates, albeit, I can't remember the model numbers of the first two...

[trio leo]

1970 I bought my 1st "STEREO" system, a Fidelity UA5 music centre, I thought it was the bee's knees, to have a guitar on one side, drums on the other and a singer in the middle was thrilling.
It had a cassette deck that could record from the record, radio and microphone, fantastic! and headphones too boot, I loved it.

Ten years later I bought my 1st "serious" system,Technics t/table and amplifier (can't remember the models) and a pair of Wharedale E30 speakers, absoloutely fantastic (or so I thought), it cost me £600 which was a lot for a HiFi back then.

At the same time a new HiFi shop called Bespoke Audio opened in Stockport, on hearing what they could do I immediately sold the Techie system and bought a Dual 626 t/table, Naim 42/110 amp and a pair of Allison 3 speakers. I ended up working for Bespoke for years, the rest as they say is history.

enjoy your music

regards Al

[keiths]

In 1976, my first Hi-Fi was:

http://www.grammofonmuseum.no/Recordplayer/garrard/garrard_sp25mkiii_2.jpg
Garrard SP25 mk III

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz342/stephenclifford/G800.jpg
Goldring G800

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Amstrad-EX220-Amplifier-/00/s/MzMyWDk5Mg==/z/eToAAMXQh5JRj4Hg/$T2eC16h,!yUE9s6NG(5PBRj4HgH45Q~~60_35.JPG
Amstrad EX220 amp

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/9sMAAOxyF81SCpyo/$T2eC16NHJIgFHSQDguRFBSCpyoIuw!~~60_35.JPG
Solavox PR25 mk2 speakers - Comet's own brand - which were badged Wharfedale Dentons

After university, by 1984 it was upgraded to:

http://reviews.divineaudio.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Bm5fgUgCGkKGrHqUH-CkEtsezh84JBLhWSWOpew_12.jpg
Dual CS-505-2 DL

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41sJ7QPKl5L._SY300_.jpg
AT95e

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Rotel-RA-820BX-Integrated-Amplifier-/00/s/NzUwWDEwMDA=/z/YQUAAMXQS6pRuLlZ/$(KGrHqMOKpwFG)Jn,Z)MBRuLlZ)35g~~60_35.JPG
Rotel RA820 BX amp

http://ws.gzhifi.com/images/200911/1257928095605191947.jpg
KEF Coda 3

http://hifianalog.users.photofile.ru/photo/hifianalog/1180775/large/23908851.jpg
Fisher AD800 CD player

[Effem]

My first system was bought from Laskys in Kingston upon Thames as one of their packages

http://bilder.hifi-forum.de/max/230623/pioneer-pl12d-1_47582.jpg
Good old Pioneer PL-12D with a Shure M75 EJ2

http://www.audio4maniacs.co.uk/images/rotelra310/rotelra310_2.jpg
I remember reading piles of hi-mags for reviews of which was the "best" one to buy and the Rotel RA-310 scored highly

http://www.audioscope.net/images/wharfedale_linton-2-2.jpg
And a pair of Linton 2s to cap it off

Did me for a about 6 months but I needed some MORE POWER and extra welly, so these two were slotted in

http://hudsonvalleyhifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Pioneer-SX-636-115.jpg
Pioneer SX-636

http://www.hifidatabase.com/static/gallery/6/2606-celest-dit15.jpg
Celestion Ditton 15

[istari_knight]

http://www.retrohifi.co.uk/pl12d-lidup-r.jpghttp://i.ebayimg.com/t/NAD-3020-2-Channel-Integrated-Amplifier/00/$(KGrHqZ,!iwE8MqY1R5OBPSeS3WtQ!~~_35.JPGhttp://thumbs1.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/md-leudCCAAjZwSLMRMDtqQ.jpg

[jandl100]

Great posts, guys! :thumbsup:

[Effem]

Sorry, your gonna have to stomach this wallpaper/cutain combo again!

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss68/Lodger56/70shifis_zps679c3b8a.jpg

I'm feeling rather queasy looking at the decor. Wouldn't need a reefer to go on a trip :lol:

[AlexM]

Ignoring my Marantz Midi system, here was my first real system that I put toghether as a student with all of my Holiday work cash! (I starved for the next year :) ). None of these are my actual samples. I had the Avalon until about 2008, when I got my SL1210.

Regards,
Alex


Mission 70 Mk II

http://www.nrpavs.co.nz/Images/Mission_70mkII_rt_top5_635x432_pixels.gif

NAD 3130

http://www.audiocostruzioni.com/r_s/ampli/nad-3130/nad%203130.jpg

Townshend Avalon

http://www.avx.hu/forum/uploads/post-31-1282156832.jpg

Marantz CD-65se

http://www.nrpavs.co.nz/archive09/Sold09_htm/Images/Marantz_CD-65II_SE_out_cd_650x428_pixels.gif

[Joe]

I had a basic system when at university; it was badged 'Rank' which was quite appropriate. The turntable was a BSR model, fitted with an Empire cartridge of some sort, and the amp was a re-badged basic Rotel model. It never worked very well, or sounded particularly good, so when I landed my first 'proper' job I upgraded to a Goodmans Module 90 tuner/amp and a pair of Goodmans RB35 speakers, ludicrously over-sized for my tiny bedsit. I bought a Sony direct-drive turntable a year or so later, but that was a retrograde step, as it sounded worse than the BSR deck it replaced.

Sorry for the lack of pictures.

[Gromit]

In 1979...

http://www.hifi-manuals.com/399303/Sansui-SR-222-Mk2-brochure.gif

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/ORTOFON-FF15E-Mk-II-MM-Cartridge-/00/s/MTIwMFg4MDA=/z/o-4AAOxyfS1R0VNI/$%28KGrHqF,!mEFGwwP9Z3TBR0VNIgZy!~~60_35.JPG

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e320/Gromit011/Sugden4small.jpg

http://www.orangedove.co.uk/images/ims-1/462_ditton-15.jpg

Happy days. :)

[chelsea]

Systemdek
A&R A60
ARC 101

[The Barbarian]

Would have been better 'A60AP'/'SAX60' running the ARC's actively

[chelsea]

Did nearly go that route with a nytech.

[dantheman91]

Nytech is cool

Sliders:eek:

[Gordon Steadman]

Alba amp / BD1 kit, Acos Lustre arm and Ortofon VMS20 cart / KefKit speakers (T27/B110/B139)

The amp was highly rated in the rags at the time but soon gave way to Yamaha CR600 receiver. Wish I had that now, lovely looking thing.

[Macca]

Fisher st70 speakers, Fisher studio standard amp, Tensai belt drive TT. All from Richer Sounds. I wanted the Fisher linear tracker TT they had too but couldn't afford it. Later I got a Kenwood DD linear tracker to replace the Tensai.

[Wierdhowler]

Pioneer PL12D, Shure M75ED, Alba UA900 & Goodman Minster speakers, approx 1976 it was

[The Barbarian]

Nytech is cool

Sliders:eek:

Saw a very rare Nytech '206' Tooner on auction other day Dan

[Tim]

Late 70's, all purchased new - and I wish I still had them all.


Pioneer PL12D
Shure M75ED
Trio KA-3500
JR 149



http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/pl12d.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/pl12d.jpg.html)
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/trio.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/trio.jpg.html)
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/x3a6wp_zpsf588376a.jpg

[Ufufu]

My first system was strangely enough much newer than what I have now! A NAD C320BEE with Wharfedale Diamonds 8.1, they're still around somewhere making music but I was never very happy with them - I suspect it was the Diamonds' fault or just bad chemistry :D

[ff1d1l]

What great systems everyone had...mine was pretty rubbish, and somehow managed to sound rather less than the sum of its parts...
Akai gx46d terrible dolby-less cassette deck
Technics SU7600 amp 45 weedy watts of excitement free music power
The school woodwork teachers homebuilt kit Wharfdale Dovedales.

Couldn't run to a turntable.

[The Barbarian]

I can bet you now if you just put your modern systems down & take a trip back to some of your old stuff you would be presently suprised {Of course this obviously excludes members that are just too good as to do such things}

[Barry]

I can bet you now if you just put your modern systems down & take a trip back to some of your old stuff you would be presently suprised {Of course this obviously excludes members that are just too good as to do such things}

Well, I don't have anything left of my original system (Garrard SP25 Mk. II, Shure M3D, pair of DIY Mullard 5-10 amps and a pair of Wharfedale RS8/DD drivers in DIY Wharefedale-designed 1.5 cubic foot distributed-port enclosures), so I can't go back, but at the time I got enormous pleasure from my modest system.

[Roy S]

I can bet you now if you just put your modern systems down & take a trip back to some of your old stuff you would be presently suprised {Of course this obviously excludes members that are just too good as to do such things}

Would like to get my Transpower 90 back (not so sure about the Dynatron speakers though)

[hermit]

1978

Sansui SR222 turntable
JVC JA-S11G amp
AR-18 speakers

http://www.vinylengine.com/images/model/sansui_sr-222_mkI.jpg

http://www.darthy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/JVC-JA-S11G.jpg

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/attachments/reviews/273563d1327326510-acoustic-research-inc-ar18s-ar18.jpg

[Spectral Morn]

Not sure if this has been done before, but inspired by The Barbarian's current Gallery thread .....

Your 1st stereo system, now what would that be?

Mine? ....
Ah, yes - Technics SB301 speakers, Sony TA1150 amp (http://www.thevintageknob.org/SONY/sonyvault/TA1150/TA1150.html), Pioneer PL12D tt (http://www.thevintageknob.org/pioneer-PL-12D.html), Ortofon VMS20Eii, Akai AT580 tuner
Must have been 40 years ago!

http://audiozavar.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/p1070792.jpg

http://www.m-webdesign.de/home/images/stories/hifi-oldies/Sony%20TC%201150/sony%20ta%201150.jpg

http://www.hifidatabase.com/static/gallery/7/7167-pio_PL-12D.JPG

http://www.ortofon.com/images/stories/cartridges/vms%20cartridges/Ortofon%20VMS%2020%20Mk%20II.jpg

http://img.canuckaudiomart.com/uploads/large/380052-akai_at580_tuner.jpg

It would probably sound at least half decent today. :)

The tuner is beautiful and not bad sonically..... I have one.


Regards Neil

[The Barbarian]

The tuner is beautiful and not bad sonically..... I have one.


Regards Neil

You certainly do i remember the write up

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?2883-A-Flock-of-Tuners/page5&highlight=akai+at580

[Mothman]

I still have my first system from 1979, though none of it's currently in use:

Technics SL-D2 TT - Technics SU-V2 Amp - Akai Tuner (cant remember the model) - Audiomaster MLS4 Speakers

Guess that officialy makes me a sad git :lol:

[Macca]

No I wish I still had my first system. It wasn't that great but it would be good to have it for nostalgia purposes. I sold it for £60 IIRC, a lot of money for me at the time.

[Floyddroid]

Rotel RP100 tt with Sure M75 EDII cartridge, Sansui AU9200 amp and Wharfdale Linton 3XP's. Cracking sounding system.

[killie99]

It was September 1983 and I blew THE WHOLE of that years 1st instalment of my student grant on a Dual 505 turntable, NAD 3020A amp, Omar Wendover speakers and a JVC KDV11 cassette deck. I seem to remember my mum was not pleased.

[Macca]

It was September 1983 and I blew THE WHOLE of that years 1st instalment of my student grant on a Dual 505 turntable, NAD 3020A amp, Omar Wendover speakers and a JVC KDV11 cassette deck. I seem to remember my mum was not pleased.

I couldn't afford the tape deck as well in one hit so I bought it six months later. I went up to Liverpool to get it from Richer Sounds and stopped over at my mam and dad's. I had taken the deck out of the box to check it powered up and that - which it did - when my father walks in and the conversation to the best of my recollection was something like:

'What's that?'

'It's a tape deck. It both plays and records compact cassettes.'

'Why is it so big?'

'That is how big they are. It is a standard size.'

'You don't need something that big to play a cassette.'

Leaves room.

[irb]

Bought my first system in January 1979, from Vennal Audio, Ayr. It consisted of: AR 77XB turntable, Trio KA3700 amplifier, Keesonic Kubs.

http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m538/chutney61/IMG_5902_zps4a71569c.jpg (http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/chutney61/media/IMG_5902_zps4a71569c.jpg.html)
http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m538/chutney61/kenwoodka-370002_zps5c199dda.jpg (http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/chutney61/media/kenwoodka-370002_zps5c199dda.jpg.html)
http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m538/chutney61/250px-Keesonic_Kub_Loudspeaker_grille_removed_zps0da7f27 c.jpg (http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/chutney61/media/250px-Keesonic_Kub_Loudspeaker_grille_removed_zps0da7f27 c.jpg.html)

[Wilbur]

Mine consisted of a Quad 33/303,Revox A77 4track,Sony St5950 tuner,and an Aiwa AD6900,and a pair of Wharfdale Lintons,all second hand,cost me £200 20 years ago,still have it all :)
The Lintons had a shagged tweeter,so bought a 2nd hand pair of Monitor Audio R852.
Sounded great,still does when I dig it out!

[Barry]

Mine consisted of a Quad 33/303,Revox A77 4track,Sony St5950 tuner,and an Aiwa AD6900,and a pair of Wharfdale Lintons,all second hand,cost me £200 20 years ago,still have it all :)
The Lintons had a shagged tweeter,so bought a 2nd hand pair of Monitor Audio R852.
Sounded great,still does when I dig it out!

Wow! That was your first system? Quad 33/303, Revox A77 - Lucky man!

[anthonyTD]

Hi All,
For me it was, Rotel Tuneramp, [about 10 watts per channel] Celestion Ditton 100's Garrard SP25 turntable.:)
A...

[icehockeyboy]

My first 'proper' set up, after a lashed together SP25 into an 8 watt Tripletone dual amp, that could be literally joined to another one to make it 8+8 watt stereo, and a single 12" Fane full range driver, in a custom made cabinet, was a good old Thorens TD 150 with a Goldring G800 cart, into a Leak Stereo 30 plus, feeding a pair of Wharfedale Super Lintons.

I thought it sounded great.

[Buggleskelly]

First kit I had was circa 1978. All B&O. Beo Master 1100, Beogram 1100 and S25 speakers. A cassette deck was added later ... Ferguson 3280 :scratch:

[Wilbur]

Yeah,stumbled on it by accident,a friend of a friend had it left to him by his brother,I mentioned getting a reel to reel one day.....the rest is history!
I remember itching to go see it,the guy said,if you can get here for 7am,before i go away for a fortnight...I was there on the dot,left a deposit and waited for him to come back from his trip.
Was the longest fortnight in history!

[Eagle owl]

My first Hi-Fi (Probably not true Hi-Fi) was a Philips Unit Audio system which comprised of a matching turntable, amplifier and a pair of speakers. If I remember correctly it was bought about 1970/1971 and the first album I played on it was Bridge Over Troubled Water. The sound quality was far superior to my stereo record player.

[johnB]

Ok back to 1976....I was 15.


Start with the source...the Scottish built Strathern deck, which I recall weighed about as much as a the dust cover on a Techy. they were going to be the future of British Hi-Fi :)....didn't last more than a couple of years.
http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag89/Jrb1961/imagejpg2_zps78a284f0.jpg (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/Jrb1961/media/imagejpg2_zps78a284f0.jpg.html)

Next the amp...a Leak Stereo 70 (second hand)... I seem to remember it was ok.....kept it a few years until I bought my Quad amps.
http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag89/Jrb1961/imagejpg1_zps17bdcadd.jpg (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/Jrb1961/media/imagejpg1_zps17bdcadd.jpg.html)

Finally the AR7x speakers...again I thought they were ok. They stayed until I bought some second hand Kef 104abs,,,which were brilliant.
http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag89/Jrb1961/imagejpg4_zpsa25d0b49.jpg (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/Jrb1961/media/imagejpg4_zpsa25d0b49.jpg.html)


My cassette deck was a monster with stunning VU meters, new fangled Dolby and a switch for chrome tape ( although I couldn't afford tapes that expensive).... The mighty Amstrad 7070 (not sure it was actually as good as I remember, it was nearly 40 years ago!)
http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag89/Jrb1961/imagejpg1_zpsb99ae223.jpg (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/Jrb1961/media/imagejpg1_zpsb99ae223.jpg.html)

[Light Capture]

1970 System - Dynaco SCA80 amp, Thorens TD150, Advent Loudspeakers

But, immediately got upgrade-itis:

1971 System - Harman Kardon Citation 11 pre, Sony TA3200F power, Thorens TS125/SME 3009, Double Advent Loudspeakers

Sadly, now I can't afford anything nice.

[walpurgis]

1970 System - Dynaco SCA80 amp, Thorens TD150, Advent Loudspeakers

But, immediately got upgrade-itis:

1971 System - Harman Kardon Citation 11 pre, Sony TA3200F power, Thorens TS125/SME 3009, Double Advent Loudspeakers

Sadly, now I can't afford anything nice.


Advent speakers were never well known in the UK. Shame, they were exceptional in their time.

[starbucksboss]

Dual cs505 , pioneer amp with loads of switches , waferdale Linton speakers. Thought it was the dogs bollocks.

[Roy S]

The mighty Amstrad 7070 (not sure it was actually as good as I remember, it was nearly 40 years ago!)


I had one of those (bottom left in this picture)

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss68/Lodger56/70shifis_zps679c3b8a.jpg

and your mind is playing tricks, soundly bettered by the JVC (top right)

[Barry]

Those curtains are enough to make anyone's mind play tricks! :eek:

[Roy S]

Those curtains are enough to make anyone's mind play tricks! :eek:

70's chic :lol:

[jandl100]

My gawd - the curtains and that wallpaper :stalks: - the 70s had a lot to answer for. :lol:

[Macca]

My gawd - the curtains and that wallpaper :stalks: - the 70s had a lot to answer for. :lol:

The curtains and wallpaper (and the carpets IIRC) might have been for shit but that was the decade that had the music. And some of the coolest gear, too.

[Marco]

…ain’t that a fact!

:exactly:

Marco.