It is a very enjoyable time to be an audiophile. There is really something for everyone and every budget. I started listening to music back in the late 60’s on a Panasonic AM radio with a single earphone listening to the AM top 40 hits as I was going to sleep. In the 70’s, I got, likely for a birthday present my first real audio setup from Tech Hifi. I had a Philips GA212 with those cool elevator light switches with a cheap AT cartridge. I had a Sansui 661 Receiver and a pair of EPI 120 speakers that sat on the shag carpet floor! I worked a winter break steam cleaning cookie sheets to go back to Tech Hifi and buy a Technics cassette deck. We have seen vinyl and cassette replaced by CD and digital. CD is dying because digital cannabilized CDs making their product no different than the one you can stream. This made vinyl special again. I have a CD Transport now only to play the CDs I already have. But otherwise my music money goes either in streaming subscriptions or new/old vinyl. We now have systems that are audiophile quality and portable for streaming and the listening room equipment technology has advanced so much. I could go on and on, but, it is a great time to be an audiophile. Instead of the Sansui, I now have Bryston components. Instead of the EPIs, now I have Magnepans. No cassette deck. Now an NAD streamer ripper. No Philips. Now a VPI with Ortofon 2M Black and ADS. I am in love with my system and the music loving hobby is stronger than ever.
Isn't a wondeful time to be an audiophile?
With all the new lower or intro priced vs. performance gear coming out recently. And with choices of sources, CD/ Streaming. I'm just thinking of how it must be for the newly converted. I started out back in the mid seventies. Let's see,if I remember correctly - Phono, Linn. Ortophon Dynevector Audio Technica? Reel to Reel, Cassette. Dolby filters. Ohm's F, Snell, JBL speakers. Just to name a few. But I am impressed with the performance vs. price ratio of some of the new gear I've heard. For which ever reason, technical, marketing, production. There are certainly I believe not only more products to choose from but the choices are more affordable as well.