Where did you start?

[Filterlab]

After well over 30 years of having Hi-Fi in my life in one shape or form, I was reminiscing about various systems I've had, and I started to think about the first 'proper' Hi-Fi system I ever had. I've been into Hi-Fi since I was eleven years old, but it took me a couple of years to scrape together some cash to buy some decent components.

So, and this is a real time travel of a post; my first "system" comprised of (and thanks to Hi-Fi Engine for some of the hard-to-find images here)...

Marantz CD-45 CD player

https://i.ibb.co/bmrZDth/Marantz-CD-45.jpg (https://ibb.co/vqJGR95)


Sony TC-FX120 cassette deck

https://i.ibb.co/fMC3p4H/Sony-TC-FX120.jpg (https://ibb.co/2qjztgd)


Thorens TD 150 mk2

https://i.ibb.co/jMxj0bd/52-FB4457-8-F16-41-D8-8971-ED4081-A4-D8-B1.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
Pioneer SA-408 amplifier

https://i.ibb.co/VNdQMcT/Pioneer-SA-408.jpg (https://ibb.co/X493Frt)


Tannoy Mercury S Gold speakers

https://i.ibb.co/rvZBzCf/Tannoy-Mercury-Gold-S.jpg (https://ibb.co/Ybt51zT)


So gents and ladies (if there are any on here), your first systems please, with images if you possibly can!

[struth]

not bad for a first system... i cant really remember what my first systems were.. first amp i got that was really good was a musical fidelity a1000.. first good tt was an hitachi, but not sure the model. also had a jvc linear tracker in late 80's

[Barry]

First system, in 1966 was mono only, and comprised a Garrard SP25 Mk.II with a no-name ceramic/crystal cartridge, running into a home-built Mullard 5-10 amplifier (with a rudimentary pre-amp) that fed a DIY speaker made to a Wharfedale design (a 1.25 cu ft enclosure with a rear distributed port, housing a Wharfedale RS/8/DD drive unit).

For the second system I built another 5-10 amp, a second speaker of the same design (for stereo) and fitted a Shure M3D to the Garrard.

[Filterlab]

Oh yes, I forgot about my turntable!

I had a Thorens TD 150 mk2. Added to the initial post.

[Macca]

I had that same Sony tape deck. Although it wasn't my first one, that was a JVC.

[Pigmy Pony]

https://images.app.goo.gl/A4tEuPNRzYwY3ws28

First amp, 1975

[Audio Al]

Start at the very begining is a very good place to start , :)

[Colinijohnson]

pioneer pl12d, shire m75ed. Leak 2030 speakers & a crappy Eagle amp!

Sent from my SM-A530F using Tapatalk

[Filterlab]

Eagle? Who?

[Barry]

Rob is that a Mk.I TD150 shown? The Mk.II had an arm with a black spherical counterweight/

[Barry]

pioneer pl12d, shure m75ed. Leak 2030 speakers & a crappy Eagle amp!


Classic mid-'70s combination! :)

[Colinijohnson]

Eagle TSA 151
more knobs than CFC - sorry David Mellor!

https://images.app.goo.gl/jGekhxY75XGeibRp6

Sent from my SM-A530F using Tapatalk

[walpurgis]

My first proper system.

https://i.imgur.com/wGdxJoD.jpg?1

[WullieD20]

After building various 'systems' (MMMMMmmmm?) and stand-alone radiograms (remember them?) with the stuff I had available - Alba / Dansette record players; Fidelity reel to reel tape recorders and various (spare) speakers that came my way from my father from his cinema connections, I eventually forked out with my own hard earned cash in 1968/9 to purchase my first system of separates.

Turntable - Garrard AP76 from Comet (when Comet ONLY sold hi-fi products!), fitted with a Shure M75EJ cartridge.
Amplifier - Dulci 207 (Stereo......LOL) from Comet. I couldn't yet afford the superior model classified as the 207M!
Speakers - Wye (I don't think there were different models AFAIK) bought from a local department store Hi-Fi department!

So this collection could be considered as my first REAL system, which I didn't keep for very long before commencing on the unavoidable upgrade path that exists to this day. (Photos courtesy of Google images)

https://i.postimg.cc/9XvZ3G5c/Dulci-207-Stereo-Amp.jpg (https://postimages.org/) https://i.postimg.cc/ncB7nCpB/Garrard-AP76.jpg (https://postimages.org/) https://i.postimg.cc/DfWLYxNC/Wye-Loudspeakers.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[Jac Hawk]

From top to bottom:

Thorens TD160 MkII B SME3009 S2 improved Dynavector 10x
Akai GXC-760D
Technics SU-V4
KEF Reference 101
JR Super woofer

most of it bought 2nd hand in about 1985

[Filterlab]

Rob is that a Mk.I TD150 shown? The Mk.II had an arm with a black spherical counterweight/

It maybe a mk1, mine was definitely a mk2 though as I remember the weight. Laugh a minute getting that balanced properly! :lol:

[Mr. C]

In 1978 my brother had a entry level naim system which really turned me off (funnily enough it still does), so I built my own little 15w solid state power amp based around an old pro audio design for my school science project. Sounded ok and lasted four years. Lots of the usual suspects in between times, too much to list or really bother about. First respectable system 1995 Wilson puppies 5:1's Krell 600 mono's Wadia 270 + 27i digital front end thought it was fabulous until you hear proper musical amps and speakers, but then hindsight is a wonderful thing, the Wadia front end is still very musical and still gets played occasionally.

[Barry]

My first proper system.

https://i.imgur.com/wGdxJoD.jpg?1

Connoisseur BD1 with Neat arm,

Ferrograph 307 amp

and

Tannoy III LZ speakers?

Nice start! :)

[CageyH]

Nothing special for me for my first system, as I was a student at the time.
Kenwood KA-3020SE amp,
Aiwa ADF-450 tape deck,
Pioneer PD-S703 CD Player,
Sony ST-SE500 tuner
Jamo Compact 90 speakers that I was given.
QED Q200 speaker cable (I think) and Cambridge Audio Pacific ICs.
The speakers were eventually replaced by some KEF Coda 9 floor standers.

I still have most of that gear now, apart from the Jamo speakers. The CD player is still in use on a regular basis.

[Manicatel]

First system was an all Amstrad affair, as my uncle worked for them & got freebies. It got me through my O Level homework studying.
First system I paid for myself was a Dual cs505, Rotel ra820bx ( I think) Amp & Heybrook hb1’s. That would have been the early 80’s.

[guy]

After a Bush system (BSR? deck, rebadged Rotel amp and no idea what speakers):

About 1976: Rega Planar 2 (wood surround version), Quad 22 and II's and pair of Wharfdale Glendales - later joined by an Akai GXC39D (thought it was the dogs bollocks at the time)

[Flo]

Arcam alpha, Arcam tuner, thorens td 160, Nagoka mp11 Stilton bodied, heybrook hb1, , several years passed before got CD player, first one in 1996 marantz 63ki.

[Filterlab]

Wow, a great variation for first systems on here.

Keep them coming people!

[Jules_S]

First proper system (after years of hand-me-down music centres and godawful "stacking" systems):


Systemdek IIX/900 (oak veneer), RB250, AT95E
Technics SLP-777
Pioneer A400
Monitor Audio 14
Monster biwire speaker cable (no idea what model)



Still have the amp and speakers, they are doing fine service in my office for background music and the occasional session when I'm banished from the lounge!

[eksiil]

got tired of my Kenwood mid-fi stack. got a pair of proper(ish) speakers (French, Mosquito(?)). soon went in search for more & got my head turned by ex-demo Alchemist Kraken gear: CDP, pre, power amp. then came an RP3 & a Graham Slee phonostage. still regret selling the Krakens.

[Flo]

I should amend , first system was two Philips mono phonograms, (the ones with speaker on front) wired together to get what I thought was stereo, still dual mono sounded good to my 11year old ears. Used to play parents 60’s singles, first record I loved became a 45 of booker t’s , green onions.

[Barry]

Used to play parents 60’s singles, first record I loved became a 45 of Booker T’s 'Green Onions'.

A man of taste! :)

[vinylsnail]

It maybe a mk1, mine was definitely a mk2 though as I remember the weight. Laugh a minute getting that balanced properly! :lol:

Yeah - I had a TD 150 MKii and it had (if I remember correctly) two knobs at the front rather than one. SO I'm guessing that the pic is a Mk I.

My first bit of 'proper' hifi was a Pioneer PD6100 CD Player that I had to play through a Sanyo mini system as it would be another couple of years before I could afford an amp and speakers, which were: Pioneer A656 amp and Mordaunt Short MS3.30s. The speakers I still have, although have been stored for the last 20 years. When I dug them out and popped them them into my mature, grown-up system, I was amazed (yes, actually amazed) at how great they sounded.

[Lurch]

1st rig in April 87 was:
Mahogany veneered Manticore Mantra mk1 with rebadged RB250 & A&R Cambridge P77Mg, Rotel RA 840BX2, Celestion DL6s, Target 3 shelf (but full height) rack and target stands with 1.5 T&E as speaker cable.

[Filterlab]

Found a pic of the TD150 mk2.

[walpurgis]

Found a pic of the TD150 mk2.

I have a mint identical one in front of me..............and, the now mega rare original tinted polystyrene lid is unmarked!

[Filterlab]

Eagle TSA 151
more knobs than CFC - sorry David Mellor!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/nxFBy6w-9FE0VnmkGvIO7MNdVGQm-SX5cWkn15YzHkABQi7vG-MBN7NqFE_SU90bKVzgH3E4cXP2gHn8KdcNx5_J6mbkx2x3IUfU WScvjcq5ZtZyjTvG5Kfk5pA

Sent from my SM-A530F using Tapatalk

Nice! It reminds me of the Atari 2600 gaming console of the same era. Retro cool.

[Filterlab]

I have a mint identical one in front of me..............and, the now mega rare original tinted polystyrene lid is unmarked!

No way?! That’s a rare beast indeed. Have you set it up?

I have no recollection of the sound character of that deck - and yet I can remember the Tannoys as clear as a bell. Strange how some things stick and others vanish.

I do remember that by removing one cable from the internal powerblock it would cause the motor to run backwards if the plinth was manually rotated before switching the drive speed on. It revealed many strange messages! :lol:

[Barry]

I have a mint identical one in front of me..............and, the now mega rare original tinted polystyrene lid is unmarked!

I always thought the 'smoked pink' tint of the lid suited the colour of the plinth better than the usual smoked grey tint of other lids.

[walpurgis]

No way?! That’s a rare beast indeed. Have you set it up?

No. I bought it some months ago, but events rather got in the way. With a bit of luck it will be in use in about a week.

[Frankyc2003]

https://www.luckyfind.fr/sites/luckyfind/files/classifieds/014799-57c5d24d02e79-57c5d22224985-td-philips-af-180-ouvert.jpg

My First all in One system, the Philips AF180. Loved the 'suitcase' style allowing for easy transport! Loads of fun memories...

[Beobloke]

Eagle? Who?

Damn cheek... ;)

My first proper separates system was my dad's hand-me-downs of:

- Hitachi PS-17 turntable
- Eagle TSA-151 amplifier
- Eagle AA-8 tuner
- Eagle AA-20 speakers
- Technics RS-263US cassette deck.

A surprisingly good sounding system, that followed an Amstrad RP-10 record player, an Amstrad TS-56 tower system and a Bush Audiosystem 1500 music centre.

[walpurgis]

Eagle didn't make equipment, it was all Japanese and branded for them.

I have actually been collecting Eagle speaker drive units for a project or two. Many of them were made by Coral of Japan and are remarkably good, on a par with Foster (now Fostex).

[struth]

Eagle didn't make equipment, it was all Japanese and branded for them.

I have actually been collecting Eagle speaker drive units for a project or two. Many of them were made by Coral of Japan and are remarkably good, on a par with Foster (now Fostex).

yes think they were british/japanese, and made for the likes of comet and tandy.. Prinzsound i think was dixons version

[guy]

I had a pair of Eagle headphones back in the 70's (big, "over ear, not very comfortable but sounded good to me at the time). I seem to remember that they undercut other brands and got ok reviews. I think that I got mine from Tandy - I always thought they were Japanese make?

[Barry]

They were called Eagle because the name of the guy in charge was Gerry Adler.

[struth]

Not exactly obvious

[Barry]

But true - it was mentioned in one of their adverts, years ago.

[Pharos]

I misguidedly used an Eagle CT10 with Lowther PM6, with a self made Xover, 2nd order in a Paraline, circa '66.

[Filterlab]

You know, I’d never heard of Eagle at all. We’re they fairly short lived?

[walpurgis]

You know, I’d never heard of Eagle at all. We’re they fairly short lived?

Fairly sure the brand was going well into the eighties Rob, although they drifted away from Hi-fi in general as I recall.

[Filterlab]

Fairly sure the brand was going well into the eighties Rob, although they drifted away from Hi-fi in general as I recall.

They didn’t go into cars and build this monstrosity by any chance did they? :lol:

https://resize.hswstatic.com/u_0/w_480/gif/eagle-cars-1.jpg

[walpurgis]

They didn’t go into cars and build this monstrosity by any chance did they? :lol:

https://resize.hswstatic.com/u_0/w_480/gif/eagle-cars-1.jpg

What is it? Looks like something Talbot/Chrysler might have turned out.

[struth]

AMC/Renault Eagle Premier?

[Filterlab]

Yes indeed. Lovely ain’t it? :lol:

[Bonky]

1970.

Connoisseur BD1 deck (AT1005 mk2 arm + Shure) + Sinclair project 60 with active filter control + Sinclair Pro 6 tuner. Speakers were kit built with SEAS units I think.

[walpurgis]

1970.

Connoisseur BD1 deck (AT1005 mk2 arm + Shure)

Exactly the same as I had. Still got two BD1 units, must move them on actually. :)

[Ian7633]

I suppose my first decent stereo was a Panasonic music centre, after a Dansette it sounded amazing.
My first proper hifi though was;
A Gararrard SP25 mk3
https://i.postimg.cc/8zqwVWY1/sp25.jpg

A Sansui SAX2000 receiver
https://i.postimg.cc/dQ67CyG4/sansui.jpg

A pair of Wharfdale Laser90b speakers
https://i.postimg.cc/xj6C8SSZ/laser.jpg

I had this kit in my little flat when I first left home and along with my own telly and no parents telling me to be quiet I was a very happy young man.

[Filterlab]

Lovely kit! Wharfedale used to make some amazing speakers back in the day. The Coleridge Class C were simply staggering in the uppers and mids, thanks to their diamond tweeters.

Great pics too.

[struth]

think this was my system before/when i joined here. its interesting that i have none of this left lol...

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/295/2crVXU.jpg

[Filterlab]

its interesting that i have none of this left lol...


Well, it’s not surprising with this hobby! I’ve changed DAC, amp and speakers in the last eight weeks. :lol:

[Lawrence001]

think this was my system before/when i joined here. its interesting that i have none of this left lol...

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/295/2crVXU.jpgIs that one of those battleship Denon DVD players? Looks like it predates the universal player I had. Found it a bit too reserved for my liking except when playing SACDs.

Never tried a Rotel CD player is it the RCD965BX? And the speakers must be Quad 22Ls? My mate had the 11Ls and then 12Ls which I found to be good middle of the road speakers that did little wrong for the price. The birds eye maple finish was beautiful.

Now that MF A1000 has been on my wanted list for quite a while how did you find it?

Sent from my HRY-LX1 using Tapatalk

[struth]

Is that one of those battleship Denon DVD players? Looks like it predates the universal player I had. Found it a bit too reserved for my liking except when playing SACDs.

Never tried a Rotel CD player is it the RCD965BX? And the speakers must be Quad 22Ls? My mate had the 11Ls and then 12Ls which I found to be good middle of the road speakers that did little wrong for the price. The birds eye maple finish was beautiful.

Now that MF A1000 has been on my wanted list for quite a while how did you find it?

Sent from my HRY-LX1 using TapatalkWas a denon 2900 universal. Good player. Not sure re next shelf. Might be a cd style loading tape deck, which I may still have. I did have rotel cd player tho.
Quad 21 fliorstanders.

Yes the mf was a great bit of gear. Hard to come by now in nice nick

Actually I think it was the rotel. I was using it for cd and the denon for sacd, dvd duties.

Also was the yamaha soundbar. That's was an amazing thing. Over 40 speakers in that.
A set of at headphones too and an srm turntable.
Would be a phono stage and a headphone amp too

[Filterlab]

The 2900 was a lovely bit of kit. I had a Denon DVD-A1 and it was a cracker.

https://www.areadvd.de/images/images_01/denondvda1.jpg