System Component History

Just for fun (and boredom apparently) I decided to create a list of all audio components I’ve owned over the decades. Some of the earlier stuff is a bit foggy so did my best. List below with last item in each category being my presently owned system components:

MAIN SYSTEM:
Amplifiers/Preamplifiers:

  • Kenwood 40W/channel receiver
  • Denon 40W/channel receiver
  • Onkyo 100W/channel integrated
  • Nakamichi PA5 100W/channel amp
  • Nakamichi CA5 preamp
  • Innersound Electrostatic 300W/channel amps (x2)
  • Consonance Basie tube preamp (kit)
  • Innersound preamp
  • PS Audio BHK preamp
  • Sanders Sound Systems Magtech 500W-900W/channel amps (x2)

Digital Source Components:

  • Yamaha CD player
  • Sony 300/400 CD carousels (x2)
  • Theta Pearl transport
  • Theta Jade transport
  • PS Audio PWT
  • Audioengine B1 Bluetooth interface
  • Jay’s Audio CDT2 MK3 transport

DACs:

  • Channel Islands DAC w/ outboard PS
  • ANK 4.1LE DAC (kit)
  • PS Audio DS DAC w/ Bridge2 (NOTE: was Perfect Wave DAC upgraded to DS DAC with kit)

Analog Front End:

  • Sony TT
  • Thorens TD115 TT
  • Rega P1 TT
  • Rega P5 TT (fully upgraded with Groovetracer components)
    • Ortofon Blue, Benz Micro Wood & Gullwing
  • Rega RP10 TT
    • Rega Apheta2 & Aphelion2
  • Project phono preamp (later added step up transformers)
  • Pass DIY Pearl 2 phono preamp
  • Parasound JC3 Jr. phono preamp
  • PS Audio Stellar phono preamp
  • Rega Aura phono preamp

Speakers:

  • Altec Lansing 2-way
  • Boston Acoustics A-200 3-way
  • Boston Acoustics A40 (2 pair)
  • Acoustat Spectra-22 electrostatics
  • Innersound Eros Mk3 hybrid electrostatics
  • Sanders Sound Systems Model 10e hybrid electrostatics w/ LMS
  • SVS SB-3000 subwoofer

Power Related:

  • PS Audio Stellar P3 Regenerator (for all source components)

SECOND SYSTEM:

  • Bottlehead Stereomour II SET Integrated (3.5W/channel) (kit)
  • Madisound BK-16 single driver (Fostex) speakers (kit)
  • Audioengine B1 Bluetooth interface

THIRD “SYSTEM”:

  • Peachtree Audio Deepblue3 Bluetooth Speaker (great performer for $300)

Anyone else care to share their historical audio journey?

All,
please feel free to share your audio history journey. It’s been decades of fun and sometimes frustration but always return to the music which matters the most.