Started with tubes (Dynaco and Heathkit, what else?) in the early 70's. Upgraded to an old Eico amp, twin to one somebody gave me that I still have, and modified a Dynaco amp or two. Moved "up" to SS, starting with a homebrew system I built from National and Sanken app guides, progressing through various receivers and amps until a Hafler preamp built from a kit paired to a Hafler amp (DH-200?). Bi-amped speakers with a Phase 700 (that 700 was a love-hate relationship with far too little love and much hate). Worked at various TV repair shops and some high-end stereo stores, including working with some of the folk that started DiscWasher. Swung a deal to pick up an old ARC SP3a1 that was fantastic, and when the 700 blew up (again!) I managed to acquire an ARC D-79. I had gone through numerous speakers, from BIC through Infinity QLS-IIs (EMITs, great when they worked...) and had Magnepan MG-Is when I finally went "all-tube" for preamp and amp (still SS tuner, old Yamaha T-2, now in a box in the basement). I later upgraded to MG-IIIa's, and (after much searching trying to find a good match to the D-79 and speakers; Levinson and Krell just didn't) added a Counterpoint SA-220 to the D-79 and bi-amped the MG-IIIIa's. Had an ARC crossover for a while but eventually hard-wired it into the preamp (using the second set of outputs). Re-tubed and rebuilt several times over the next decade or so (late 80's to mid-90's), and modified the SP3a1 several times.
The advent of kids, new job, and a move put my gear in storage for a decade or so. Right before that, my ever-faithful D-79 blew an output tube, taking some other stuff with it, and I did not have the time nor money to repair it. We later moved to a new place, but work and Life was so demanding I never hauled out my old stereo gear. I bought a mid-range Yamaha receiver and pair of KEF speakers, then later a Denon AVR and Infinity Betas for a 3.1 (no surrounds) system in the family room. The years passed.
Two years ago, nearly 15 years in our new home, we finished the basement and I built a media room (floating walls and ceiling, independent HVAC, tricks from my installer and studio engineer days). I picked up a set of Mirage sats and sub for upstairs and moved the Infinity's down, adding more Nanosats for surrounds and rears, and new Denon AVR. First real HT system. Decided after some comparison listening I would never again get small speakers like the OMD-5's for mains (L/R); just didn't like the "small" sound and it was too easy to localize the sub with 80 Hz xover. The journey began anew...
A friend wanted help and as he was fairly well-heeled and wanted to try some nice speakers I helped him listen to B&W. Working with him, and thinking on my own HT stuff, made me realize how much I missed "hi-fi". My thoughts of getting perhaps a pair of new B&W 801's was quickly squelched by sticker-shock; the 801's were within striking distance of my budget in the 80's, but I liked the Maggies better. Now, they were totally out of reach. My friend struggled mightily but ended up with the 803D's; the difference between them and the 804's he had planned to get was simply too great. He also raved about his new AVR, a Pioneer SC-27, and all the things it could do.
Long story short (too late, I know), I dug up my MG-IIIa's and found them working. Out went the Infinity's, upstairs, and the Mirage system is sitting in the basement waiting for me to hook it up for the game room. A shiny new SC-27 took over for my fairly-new mid-range Sony and I gained an appreciation for modern room control (MCACC) and what a top-notch AVR offered. Feeling a bit underpowered (probably all in my head), and at the urging of that same friend who had picked up monoblocks for his B&W's (what are friends for?), I picked up a nearly-new Emotiva XPA-3, followed shortly by an XPA-2, and added Magnepan MC1's as surrounds and an Opp BD-83 (regular, using HDMI). I'd forgotten how good music could sound, and after generally ignoring the HT side for years discovered how great the sound and picture in the latest movies could be. I'm starting fresh in a new world and enjoying every minute!
I am gradually planning to sell my tube equipment as I simply haven't the time, energy, and resources to put into it that I once had. I really loved the sound, knowing it was colored, but I liked its color. My new system sounds very good to me, and I confess I have moved past listening to the equipment and want to simply listen to the music. I am also making music again, picking up my trumpet after 20 years off, and for the past 12 years now (hardly seems that long) have been playing in various groups around town (and accruing more horns, offset by a grand piano for my wife to avoid hogging all the musical instruments in the house). I am planning a few more upgrades, including finishing my room treatment (mostly done now, as much as I can -- the room ended up less than ideal in dimensions when we added a bedroom in the basement for my younger son, and my wood shop became an exercise/craft room for my wife). I moved things around and have a 7.1 setup now after dropping to 5.1 when I installed the Maggies; the rears are Mirage Nanosats soon to head out in favor of another pair of MC1s. The Pioneer is likely to move upstairs, giving me HDMI up in the family room, and an Integra DHC-80.2 is a gleam in my eye (I will have to pick up a small amp for the rears, natch).
I am a little sad I never restored and turned on the tube equipment, and probably never shall... It has been in storage nearly 15 years now and needs a lot of TLC, time, and money I simply am unwilling to spend now that I have a decent system. I miss the warm glow and warm sound of my tubes, but know most of the newer SS gear is technically superior and am happy with what I have going. Probably just old ears of clay, but my current system is enough to impress me. I had thought to retain the old gear for retirement puttering, but retirement is many years off, the restoration and upkeep is daunting, I have an HT system now that all can use instead of a basic stereo system, and I would rather see it all go to a good owner who will get as much joy out of it as I had back then.
And yet, I still wonder if, if someday I will return to tubes... The cost of gear now approaching the class of gear I had then is pretty steep, though, and will likely remain far out of reach. I am glad I had a taste of it so long ago, and equally glad that technology has moved on and provided me with sound that I can be happy to hear today. Not too mention see! - Don
