I bought my first set of CVs in 1989. They are far more modest than the awesome kit in this thread, being the meager D3s. It was after a divorce when I was setting up household in a smaller apartment. So that day in the showroom, I made what I thought was a practical decision, picking the biggest three way I felt best suited my new livingroom.. I fed them with a B&O 3000 (early radial model) & Harmon Kardon HD200 CD player, powered by a Luxman L3 for many years. They eventually got stored in '94 when I moved north for grad school. Eventually, I wound up on the west coast, having left the CVs behind in safe storage. Then in 2004 found myself in much the same relationship situation as in 1989, settling a new solo home.
Fate was kind to me. There was a set of D3s listed in the local classified site for $40. After driving an hour, it turned out to be $40 for each. Rather than gripe about the deceptive ad, and because my instant gratification urges were in high gear, I shelled out the $80.. After a glorious reunion, life and work took my focus away. The power amp at the time was crap, and other things diminished and distracted my interest.
I recently circled back. Through relentless interest with guitar and home studio gear, I scored a Phase Linear PL400.. two of them, the Series 2 finally lighting up the CVs as they deserve. Well, not exactly. Neither the various audio gear nor the TV sounded like I thought it should through the PL400 (even using a KlarkTechnik DN360 EQ). Before the PL400, I thought all along it was the amp. Finally I was inspired to remove the grill cloth from the CVs, releasing a cascade of orange shreds. After refoaming them - WoW! I've been transported back to the times of discovering the world of audio! I eyed my record collection lustily..
Being now long in the tooth, I realize there is no point in having hauled around five shelf feet of vinyl albums all these years if I'm not enjoying them. The B&O 3000 went away years ago, and the crap TT I replaced it with during marriage compromises was never trusted to the more pristine vinyl. I played auction site roulette and added a Beogram RX (with MMC3) to the kit. Now, I'm wallowing in the glory of unfettered musical bliss!
I recognize that my kit is hardly close to audiophile, barely scratching at the bottom of mid fi at best. But for the room it's in and what's left of my hearing, I'm quite content. Collectible? No, not rare or exotic, or perfect, but as someone said upstream - for me it's desirable. These CVs delight my ears with all the different kinds of music I listen to, from Motorhead to Julian Bream, Carly Simon to Wagner, Baby Metal to Barney Kessel.
One small step toward anything close to what might approach collecting, is the set that I bought in '89. They are here now, awaiting their refoaming. A second set gives me leeway to explore modding the tweeters with something not horn; maybe a dome or dhorm, or something else.. therein lies the adventure!
As for the Luxman L3, it didn't survive the years intact. So I played auction site roulette again and the Luxman L5 is scheduled to arrive Wednesday! I'm excited to power the JBL 62Ts I inherited with it for listening in a different room. Also to experiment stacking them with the CVs, since the L5 supports two sets of speakers. Once more down the rabbit hole..
If you've read this far, thank you and Kick Out the Jams!
