...or is "audiophile" considered pretentious around here? Anyway, I'm a native Pittsburgher, still here, and have been serious about audio since around '79 or so. Back then, I thought I knew everything...watts and woofers ruled the world. Didn't have any money, though, so I'd look through the classifieds in the newspaper for used gear (I couldn't afford any of that, either, but it seemed more plausible). Came across an advertisement for an Audio Pulse Model 1 being sold at a place called Opus One. As I recall, it claimed to make mono sound better than stereo. Knowing everything as I did, I was sure this was impossible, but they seemed serious...plus, I was curious to visit a store I'd never heard of (especially one that wasn't Wander Sales or The Appliance Store). So I got my big sister to help me find it. It was kind of a shock to see a store full of stuff I'd never heard of, with the possible exception of Kenwood. Tandberg? Dahlquist? Advent? Revox? DUAL? (Okay, I may have heard of them, too). I never did hear the AP Model 1, but there was a used/consignment section...so, again, some things that seemed potentially affordable. I started going in every few weeks or so, trying to figure this place out. I was about 15, so I didn't ask many questions, figuring I wouldn't be taken seriously...though no one seemed to mind me hanging around.
Then, one day, I heard a piano playing...and the thought that came to me wasn't, "Wow, that really sound like a piano". The thought that came to me was, "I didn't know there was a piano in here"...and I went to look for it. And that was it for me. The moment I realized I'd been COMPLETELY fooled by a pair of DQ10s, I was hooked.
My background is in electronics and computer programming, though I did have the somewhat disillusioning opportunity to work at Opus One's Sewickley store for about a year in '88, not long before they closed.
I don't change gear much. Back before I (or many other people, based on the prices) knew any better, I bought a Dynaco PAS-3X and a PAIR of Stereo 70s for about a $100 (a the time, I didn't really want that "old tube stuff", but it was all I could afford...sigh). I also found a new DUAL 1225 for which I had to build a cabinet (it actually included a template for this). A friend at KDKA got me a Stanton 500AL for it. I'd made some speakers in woodshop...pretty sure they had nothing in common. Before long, though, I replaced them with some Boston Acoustic A60s, and the PAS3 was traded on a Rappaport Pre-1A. I sold one of the ST70s ("Why would I need 2??") for about $40, and used the other for a long while. Finally, I had an "opportunity" to go all solid state! Found a good price on a pair of Kenwood Purist Monoblocks. Can't remember what I sold the second ST70 for, but it was closer to $100, since I'd put a matched quad of Telefunkens in it. I think my first CD player was a Nikko.
In '85, I got my first real job, and the first thing I did was put money on a pair of Spica TC-50s, gloss black finish. I was pretty friendly with the Opus One staff , and we were told that only 50 pairs were ever made in this finish, and that Opus One got them all. I'd love to know if it's true. I picked up a pair of Spica Servo Subs over time, and during my stint selling audio, I enjoyed a dealer discount on a SONY ES CD player. Somewhere in there, I also upgraded the 1225 for another DUAL, a CS 5000 with a Sonus Blue Gold.
Okay, this is getting long, isn't it? The table remains, but the Sonus went for an AT440ML, and is soon to become a Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood, thanx to the generosity of a friend and fellow forum member. I still have the SONY CD, though I currently use it with a MUSILAND MD10 DAC. The Rappaport was replaced by a B&K Pro10 MC, and amplification is a Rotel RB-980BX. Cables are Kimber.
All of this has been under wraps since '06, when, just before my daughter was born, I figured that I (with no experience doing construction) could remodel the listening room in the basement "in no time". It's still not done...but it's actually getting close. And, in spite of the fact that I've left a room in our house torn up for 10 years, my wife felt bad enough that I was without an audio system that she suggested that I assemble it (probably without the subs, for space reasons) in the living space in the attic. To that end, I've been unpacking, and cleaning, and installing a decent outlet, and tweaking...getting ready for the big day when I get to hear my TC50s work their magic once more (though, it must be said, the room I have them in is far from optimal...but I expect that, after 10 years, they're gonna sound pretty damned good to my ears).
Plans? I've been ripping CDs (purchased and kept, BTW) to a PC in the basement, to act as a music server. I plan to use my laptop to feed the MUSILAND DAC via USB as my primary digital source. I have some "Audio Asylum" power cords I put together, but I need a few more, and so does my buddy...so we're assembling a few different components, try a few combinations, and see what we like best. I've also got a homebrew version of the Bright Star isolation platform that I'm wanting to finish up and try...should be helpful on our rickety attic floor. The next big thing I'm really planning, though, is some Maggies. I've only heard them a few times, but I've always enjoyed the sound of planars. And, I really wanna get some more tubes in there, somewhere.
I have to finish the listening room first, though.
Thanx for joining me on the trip down memory lane...if anyone's still with me. This is probably the only place anyone might actually read all this.
Looking forward to being a regular reader, and contributor...if I can.
Michael
