Reassembling your first system?
- Thread starter Michael Scarpit
- Start date
Dr. Music
Super Member
I loved my first system but don't plan on reassembling it; my first receiver was a Technics SA-5170 and it was great for what it was, but it was a 25 watt receiver.....I do plan on buying another xx70 receiver, but want to find one with more power. It had a nice look to it, understated but lovely to my eyes.
My second receiver was the Technics SA-500 and I definitely intend to own another one of those or higher from that series. Great to look at and great to listen to.
My second receiver was the Technics SA-500 and I definitely intend to own another one of those or higher from that series. Great to look at and great to listen to.
LCruiser122
Member
My first "REAL" rystem was in 1980 - 1981 (high school).
This consisted of:
Harman Kardon 680i receiver
Harman Kardon CD401 cassette deck
Harman Kardon T60 Turntable
Polk model 10A
(this system was the envy of ALL my friends back in the day and most of their dads too....lol)
Guess what........ that system made it thru all high school. I took it with me to college in Florida. And now the SAME system graces my den / home office and, thanks to some really nice people on this forum, after cleaning pots and switches and adjusting bias and DC offset sounds as good as the day I bought it in 1981. (and it sounds pretty darn good by the way)
This equipment wasn't cheap back then, but as with everything else in life, you get what you pay for.
This consisted of:
Harman Kardon 680i receiver
Harman Kardon CD401 cassette deck
Harman Kardon T60 Turntable
Polk model 10A
(this system was the envy of ALL my friends back in the day and most of their dads too....lol)
Guess what........ that system made it thru all high school. I took it with me to college in Florida. And now the SAME system graces my den / home office and, thanks to some really nice people on this forum, after cleaning pots and switches and adjusting bias and DC offset sounds as good as the day I bought it in 1981. (and it sounds pretty darn good by the way)
This equipment wasn't cheap back then, but as with everything else in life, you get what you pay for.
Ghoulardi
Well-Known Member
My first stereo system when I was about 13 or 14 had a very small Olson amplifier and 8 track deck(still have those),some homebrew speakers(not very good), and a BSR ceramic cartridge turntable. In a year or two I bought a used Voxson(made in Italy) receiver from a Clarkins department store that took audio trade-in's and an Invicta cassette deck from Dixie Hi-Fi.The receiver had about 20 WPC I think and I wish I still had it(very small and stylish).I can't even find a picture or any information about the Voxson. Not many of those around I believe.(then or now)
ryuuoh
FFXIV Summoner
My first real stereo:
A JVC 4 channel integrated amp, ESS AMT speakers, and a Sony belt drive TT. FM radio was supplied by some anonymous Sound Design POS.
Second real stereo:
Now, I'm in Japan, and I bought a Technics SU 8080, a Sansui TU 717, a Technics Sl 1300, Yamaha NS 670s, and Yamaha 690IIs. I still have this stuff except the SU 8080.
A JVC 4 channel integrated amp, ESS AMT speakers, and a Sony belt drive TT. FM radio was supplied by some anonymous Sound Design POS.
Second real stereo:
Now, I'm in Japan, and I bought a Technics SU 8080, a Sansui TU 717, a Technics Sl 1300, Yamaha NS 670s, and Yamaha 690IIs. I still have this stuff except the SU 8080.
Beatnik
What's this ?
First was a soundesign am/fm/turntable/8-track. I remember it having a round tuning dial like an early pioneer super tuner and a hard plastic platter with little black circles on it, never have been able to search out a picture.
Second was in high school when I got a Pioneer system from Sanger Harris. SA-6500II, TX-5500II, PL-512, Project120. Still use it to this day.
Second was in high school when I got a Pioneer system from Sanger Harris. SA-6500II, TX-5500II, PL-512, Project120. Still use it to this day.
gearhound
Lunatic Member
1974...............................
(1) Sherwood S-8900A receiver
(1) Garrard TT w/Shure M91ED cart.
(2) Wolverine/EV Frankenspeakers
(1) pack of Zig-Zag papers
(1) 1 oz. bag of weed
(1) bottle of Rose
(1) pretty 21 year-old girl (my wife)
Mix well
Serve when HOT
Enjoy!
Steve
(1) Sherwood S-8900A receiver
(1) Garrard TT w/Shure M91ED cart.
(2) Wolverine/EV Frankenspeakers
(1) pack of Zig-Zag papers
(1) 1 oz. bag of weed
(1) bottle of Rose
(1) pretty 21 year-old girl (my wife)
Mix well
Serve when HOT
Enjoy!
Steve
My first "system" was crap - a GE "suitcase" kit with swing-out speakers and a fold down turntable and a green finish that looked like Samsonite luggage -- don't want to go there again. But what I've done is put together a system like the one I would liked to have had: Fisher 500c, AR-4x, and a Pro-Ject XPression (instead of the Dual 1229).
goldwax
dozy ming-mong
I'm really inspired about all these stories of people saving all their money and buying their own systems as teenagers. Though I worked part-time jobs from age 15 to 22, I never could get it together to save up and buy my own system until I was 24 and had my second job out of college, living in Japan, starting in 1992. I got a BOTL Sony TT and a JVC boombox to hook it up to. Worked fine, and I didn't want to invest any more that that since I knew I'd only be there three or four years. I think I paid about $100 for the TT and $300 for the boombox, and got nearly half that back when I sold it just before returning to the States. In the States, I got my first real system for $100 all in--Sony CD changer, receiver and twin-cassette, Technics TT, and Fisher speakers, all BPC that served me well. The CDP is still in use in my main system, while the TT and speakers have been relegated to my work system. I have no desire to recreate THAT.
Since I didn't have my own system in my teens and early 20s, I had to rely on an Emerson clock radio, one of those crappy cassette players for dictation, along these lines:
and once I started buying records, in 1983, my parents Kenwood system, bought at the local PX and likely made for the European market:
tuner: KT-51
cassette: KX-71R
EQ: GE-100II
Amp: KA-71
TT: KD-51F
speakers: Kenwood--model unknown
I just learned that my folks have still have the complete system at their house in Maryland. I hope to grab the tuner and especially the amp, which is unlike anything I've seen on AK, and which really brings back memories. Here are some pictures of the amp (apologies--I've posted them already on another thread):
If I can get my hands on that one piece, I'll be happy.
Since I didn't have my own system in my teens and early 20s, I had to rely on an Emerson clock radio, one of those crappy cassette players for dictation, along these lines:
and once I started buying records, in 1983, my parents Kenwood system, bought at the local PX and likely made for the European market:
tuner: KT-51
cassette: KX-71R
EQ: GE-100II
Amp: KA-71
TT: KD-51F
speakers: Kenwood--model unknown
I just learned that my folks have still have the complete system at their house in Maryland. I hope to grab the tuner and especially the amp, which is unlike anything I've seen on AK, and which really brings back memories. Here are some pictures of the amp (apologies--I've posted them already on another thread):
If I can get my hands on that one piece, I'll be happy.
MisterFishey
Super Member
My first system was my dad's first system as well, purchased circa 1974. Realistic STA-47 receiver ($199 list) and MC-1000 speakers (don't know list). The Technics TT they had was bought in 1982, and I use that still. The receiver is still in daily use, but the speakers are relegated to the sidelines.
Still have all the manuals and paperwork for everything, and have the box for the TT.
Still have all the manuals and paperwork for everything, and have the box for the TT.
My first system in 1974 (in the Navy) I got @ Pacific Stereo in So. San Fran.
SX-434, Marantz 4G's, and a Dual 1229. Still have the 434. The Marantz's needed a re-foam in the Early 80's and they got chucked. I don't remember what happened to the 1229. But I got another one.
My niece is using the 434 until I get her Lafayette LR1515A fixed.
SX-434, Marantz 4G's, and a Dual 1229. Still have the 434. The Marantz's needed a re-foam in the Early 80's and they got chucked. I don't remember what happened to the 1229. But I got another one.
My niece is using the 434 until I get her Lafayette LR1515A fixed.
jgmacv
Fluroscan Lover
My first system (June 1978) was right after high school graduation. My mother fronted the money ($395), which I paid back by the end of that summer. System consisted of: JVC JA-S11G integrated amp, a Technics turntable (don't remember the model #), and some small Advents (may have been Advent IIs). I had this system until i entered the Air Force in January 1979. Little brother got it and I began my 30 year journey of great hi-fi in the service, followed by the BPC years, "dark ages" and the second-coming, reawakening of my vintage hi-fi experience. I've come full circle. I will try to reassemble my first system one day.
I don't think I'd want my first system - a POS Panasonic from around 1969. What I'm trying to do is buy what would have been a fantastic system from around that era. Sort of the dream system of the day.
On the other hand I sold a Marantz 2015 that I recapped to a nice young women today. She was trying to reassemble the system she had as a child. She still had her dad's big Sansui speakers. One look at the Marantz and she dove for the balance slider - said she loved to play with that while wearing headphones. Wonder if she knows the Koss Pro4-AAA is still available?
JimB
On the other hand I sold a Marantz 2015 that I recapped to a nice young women today. She was trying to reassemble the system she had as a child. She still had her dad's big Sansui speakers. One look at the Marantz and she dove for the balance slider - said she loved to play with that while wearing headphones. Wonder if she knows the Koss Pro4-AAA is still available?
JimB
terra1
Addicted Member
Like Diogenes looking for my first honest system ...
In my first apartment, I had hand me downs and various record players. Even a Craig low wattage receiver with small box speakers (maybe 6" by 6") dug up somewhere. Basically a radio since I had no turntable. But it was stereo!
But my first memorable system after saving up for those Radio Shack sales: Realistic STA-250 88 watts with Quatravox. Realistic Solo 3A budget speakers moved to rear when I could afford the Nova 8B. Had a Realistic turntable replaced by BIC 980 and moved up to Shure Type III. This became my nirvana.
I am still ever-looking, ever-watching for an STA-250 (dropped) and Nova 8B speakers (gave away).
In my first apartment, I had hand me downs and various record players. Even a Craig low wattage receiver with small box speakers (maybe 6" by 6") dug up somewhere. Basically a radio since I had no turntable. But it was stereo!
But my first memorable system after saving up for those Radio Shack sales: Realistic STA-250 88 watts with Quatravox. Realistic Solo 3A budget speakers moved to rear when I could afford the Nova 8B. Had a Realistic turntable replaced by BIC 980 and moved up to Shure Type III. This became my nirvana.
I am still ever-looking, ever-watching for an STA-250 (dropped) and Nova 8B speakers (gave away).
Like a few others here, I still have mine.......Dynaco Stereo 70/PAS 3X/FM3 with ARxa TT and AR4x speakers. Now I'm in the process of acquiring all the gear I wanted back then (late 60's-70's) but couldn't afford. I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of an Advent 300 and just finished installing a new crossover in recently acquired KLH Model 5 speakers. A spare bedroom upstairs is beginning to look like a well-stocked stereo store from a bygone era, with receivers, TTs, tape decks and speakers piled high.........I love it!!
BTW.....Hi, Mike.....we met at Head-Fi. Not much talk of burn-in here.....the stuff is already burnt-in.
Still have mine as well.Though it has morphed a bit.Original system was
Yamaha
NS-1000's
M-4
C-6
T-1
P-750/Shure V15 type IV-- Now type V
Nak 480
chuckroast
New Member
Found my "original" receiver today....
...at an antique store for $25. It is a Sherwood S-7100A and seems to operate great. Needs some tuner spray on the Volume control but otherwise looks and sounds great. In 1975 I purchased one, along with a BIC turntable and Small Advents. I still have the Advents in the garage and they still sound good...although maybe it's because I don't hear as well anymore.
...at an antique store for $25. It is a Sherwood S-7100A and seems to operate great. Needs some tuner spray on the Volume control but otherwise looks and sounds great. In 1975 I purchased one, along with a BIC turntable and Small Advents. I still have the Advents in the garage and they still sound good...although maybe it's because I don't hear as well anymore.