What was your first “Stereo” like?

[Gorgonzola]

My first "stereo like" was Dynaco A-25 speakers circa 1971. They were powered by a Dynaco ST-80, solid state from kit, and Dynaco PAT-4 preamp also from kit.

 

[Kuma]

The Zenith Allegro.

 

[Jmsent]

My first true stereo system was a Garrard RC88/4 turntable with Shure M3D cartridge, a pair of Eico HF12 mono integrated amps, and some homemade speaker systems, the internals of which I don't recall.

 

[Patrick1958]

Not exactly stereo, but this was my first radio.

 

[Robin L]

1973, AR 3's, XA [Shure 91 cartridge], amp. The speakers were used and looked like the photo. Lots of bass. Don't have any of it anymore.

 

[bluefuzz]

Amstrad 5000 receiver

View attachment 161085

Yes, me too! Bought new in 1973 by my dad with a Pioneer PL12D turntable and 'Solarvox' speakers I seem to remember. It was 'retired' in the late '90s and I've still got the turntable ...

 

[sarumbear]

My first Hi-Fi set was a gift from parents in 1963. I was 13. It consisted of a Grundig amplifier and floor standing speakers. See below. I also had a Dual turntable and a Sony R2R. I blew the speakers twice and have drivers replaced then I blew the amplifier, which they couldn’t repair as they used even then obsolete Gallium all PNP output transistors. I replaced them with a second hand Macintosh 275 and DIY speakers using 2x 15” woofer, mid and high horns, all from Pioneer, in a huge box. Think single door fridge.

 

[dasdoing]

lol. I only remembered the brand, and found it very quickly
Watson RR5600

 

[phoenixdogfan]

Grew up with hifi equipment as far back as I remember. Dad built a set of speakers, tube amp and a record player from some sort of DIY kit. Older brother started to add on with a Sansui Receiver a real turntable and then speakers. I was pretty lucky in my early teens and spent most of the time collecting records.

After a couple of bad purchase decisions my first real system arrived in my early 20's. I remember it well - Micro Seiko BL 51 turntable with a Fidelity Research tone arm, Audionics CC2/BT2 pre and power amp and IMF Electronic ALS 30 speakers. I was into the whole audiophile thing and spent a lot of Saturday afternoons visiting the shops around town.

I owned the Fidelity Research FR64s tonearm with B-60 stabilizer and the Audionics CC2 amp. Both were great, though the CC2 wound up giving way to the Hafler DH200 for powering my Rogers LS3/5a's.

 

[NiagaraPete]

I don’t remember the models but 70’s Pioneer integrated amp with matching tuner. Dual turntable Shure cartridge and Polk towers. Oh I also forgot, Stax electrostatic headphones.

 

[just1n]

Klipsch SF1s
Onkyo TX-SR500 Receiver
SVS 2531CS
Parts Express plate amp

I’ve been itching for revel, minidsp, and NCore combo but haven’t scratched it yet

 

[Certainkindoffool]

It was a loaner system in my early teens. Minimus7 speakers with a realistic amp and some random tape deck that was lying around. Speakers and amp are still in use(not by me).

 

[bladerunner6]

It was a loaner system in my early teens. Minimus7 speakers with a realistic amp and some random tape deck that was lying around. Speakers and amp are still in use(not by me).

I had some Minimus 7’s up to the late 90’s.

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

Dynaco pre amp and power amp kits, Required soldering iron, solder and flux. Dynaco A50 speakers. 2 10" woofers with one inch tweeter. Speakers were wide and about 3 feet tall. No internet or 1-800 at that time. Ordered out of a HI Fi catalog.

 

[EJ3]

Some Kind of Toshiba quadraphonic setup (all Toshiba, all in one. With 4 Toshiba speakers. God blessed me with a lightening strike that took out one of it's channels. That set me on the journey of great stuff to listen to.

 

[coonmanx]

My first stereo system that was not hand-me-downs or gifts of any sort was this.

A nice Technics quartz lock direct drive turntable of a forgotten model number.

Technics Su-V303 integrated amp circa mid 80s.

ENERGY ESM-2

Ah, the silver face Technics New Class A from this era were very nice. I also started out with something similar. The SU-V2 from 1980. Hooked up to a Dual 506 and some Speakerlab 1's which I still use to this day.

About a year or so ago I was able to get a decent SU-V707 off of the Bay and it works wonderfully.

 

[Inner Space]

My first stereo was mono. My granddad's old table radio, a junkshop autochanger, a homemade plinth, a ceramic cartridge. Eventually I added a second table radio for double-mono envelopment. I had it about five years.

 

[MakeMineVinyl]

1973, AR 3's, XA [Shure 91 cartridge], amp. The speakers were used and looked like the photo. Lots of bass. Don't have any of it anymore.

View attachment 161145

View attachment 161146


View attachment 161147

I still have my AR amplifier and use it on my electronics bench regularly.

 

[Gorgonzola]

1977 Ohm F speakers

Ohm F

The Ohm F was the most popular of the first generation Walsh speakers. It used a 12'' inverted omnidirectional driver operating from 35 - 17,000 Hz. Some of the…

ohmspeaker.com

Phase Linear 400 amp

https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/phase-linear/400.shtml

Apt Holman Preamp

APT Corporation Holman Vintage Stereo Preamplifier; MM Phono; Serviced | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for APT Corporation Holman Vintage Stereo Preamplifier; MM Phono; Serviced at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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Turntable and Revox reel to reel

Holy cow !!! What a coincidence

I ran the Ohm F, Phase Linear 400, and Apt Holman combination of a number of years. I sold each one eventually. I very soon regretted selling the Ohm F's and, years later, the Apt Holman; not so much the Phase 400.