What was your first hi fi equipment?

Burnside

Burnside

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Leaving aside any radio, Walkman or similar, this was probably my first record player, amp and speakers setup, bought if I recall just before I started university back in 1971 - the Pye Black Box.

Listening to the Sutherland Brothers & Quiver’s “Real Love” overly loud on headphones probably explains why I now have hearing aids ;)

IMG_9038.jpeg
 
I think I either bought mine from money I had saved up working in a baker’s on a Saturday morning and during school holidays, or from my first University grant.

And the first albums I bought were probably Gilbert O’Sullivan’s Himself (my excuse was my sister liked him a lot ;) ), and Bridge Over Troubled Waters which cost me £2 1s 6d - lots of money for a poor student…

Fortunately, I was given a small horde of late 50s/early 60s 45rpm singles (and some older 78rpm shellac discs) by an older cousin so those kept me going for a while until I could afford more of my own.
 
Thanks for the interesting thread.😀

I bought my first hi-fi when I was in high school.

All the money I saved from my part-time job disappeared to pay for the amplifier, so I could not buy speakers.😂

I borrowed money from my father for the first time...

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I also had a cassette deck and a TT, but I don't remember the model name.

I do remember that this was my first album.
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I only listened to Everytime You Go Away over and over again so I don't remember the other tracks.😅
 
Burnside said:
Leaving aside any radio, Walkman or similar, this was probably my first record player, amp and speakers setup, bought if I recall just before I started university back in 1971 - the Pye Black Box.

Listening to the Sutherland Brothers & Quiver’s “Real Love” overly loud on headphones probably explains why I now have hearing aids ;)

View attachment 12584
Click to expand...
I had something very similar. An Ultra record player made by Thorn. I have never been able to find a picture on the web.
 
Just looking for a pic but still can't find one. It was a Birthday present and I went with my Dad to Croydon to get it. It didn't have a headphone socket and my Dad deperately wanted it to have one (can't think why). So the salesman upsold a speaker / headphone switch and a pair of headphones. I remember the Ultra had 2 pin DIN sockets for the speakers and the salesman cut the speaker wires there and then and connected the switch for us.

The one on the right
 
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I would hesitate before calling it hifi but I had one of these to travel to/from univerity halls of residence with back in 1973

SANYO G2311

1728048498727.png

For those familar with Monty Python this thread has echoes of the four yorkshireman sketch and living in a shoebox ... :)

 
slartibartfast said:
To go with the GEC Soundeck I had one of these
www.worthpoint.com

Vintage ITT Studio Recorder 73 Stereo Cassette Recorder - Portable Recorder | #244736957

Nice old ITT Stereo Cassette Recorder/Player - the Model 73 (Type 5332 2051) Sold for spares/repair. It powers-up and the motor runs. However, the main drive belt has slipped of the spindle and has lo
www.worthpoint.com www.worthpoint.com
Click to expand...
I had this

Stereo Cassette Deck 6000 R-Player Amstrad; London, build 1974 ?? |Radiomuseum.org

Stereo Cassette Deck 6000 R-Player Amstrad; London, build 1974 ??, 8 pictures, Great Britain , schematics, tubes, semiconductors, Sound/Video Recorder and/or
www.radiomuseum.org www.radiomuseum.org
 
.
My senior year in high school, 1972, I bought a pair of epi model 100 speakers, Philips GA212 turntable and a Marantz amp that I can’t remember the model number. Good stuff!
.
 
The first system I can remember the details of consisted of a Garrard SP25 Mk V turntable, a Rotel RA 314 amplifier, a Rotel tuner to match the amplifier ( I can't remember the model number ), and a pair of Wharfedale Linton XP2 speakers, all purchased from my local Comet Store.
 
Back in 1980 - Technics SU-C03 mini amp and SL-7 linear tracking deck. I have a clear memory of trawling up and down Tottenham Court road in search of the amp and carrying home in a backpack. No speakers at first but a decent pair of Beyer cans (can't remember what model). A monster pair of JBLs quickly followed (again not sure of the model). Unfortunately I can't remember what happened to them but I had them both for a considerable amount of time.

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Garrard turntable with Shure cartridge, Dynaco SCA-80 integrated amp built from a kit, LWE 3 speakers. Eventually added a Yamaha TC 800 cassette deck. The turntable was the only conventional component.

The Dynaco was their first solid state amp kit. LWE speakers used a motion sensor on the speaker cones and sent feedback back to the amp to improve the sound. So there were wires going from the speakers back to the inside of the amp. The Yamaha was a famous design with a sloped form.

​

 
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