Actually, SSL, being the type of inter-personal person that I am with the right kind of people, the details are just right.

I remember that my father started with an H H Scott arm and turntable, a Heathkit 25 watt mono amplifier, and a Heathkit 4-way loudspeaker: 15" in a rear-loaded and vented, corner placed, Klipsch designed cabinet; 8" low/mid-range; 2x6"(?) horn upper/mid-range; and a small circular horn tweeter. My grandfather, being an electical engineer for Union Switch and Signal (railroad equipment), was the inspiration for a non-musical LP of train sounds. A recording of the 1812 overture featured not only the symphony, but a description of how the cannon fire was recorded: multiple microphones and various distances in the attempt to capture both the sharp blast near the cannon and the more distant rumblings. Several examples of the methods tried were played back. Finally the 'tried and true, Mercury single microphone method' was determined to be the best at a distance of about 150? feet. (Seem familiar, SH?) I found the dynamics reproduced by the Heathkit equipment very, very enjoyable.

Later, to begin his foray into stereo, after some experience in mono LP's, he chose reel-to-reel 1/4" tape as his media. A "Webcor" stereo tape recorder, I think it was. I soon learned to handle the tapes carefully and enjoyed the remarkable sound of E. Power Biggs classical pipe organ being played back through that 4-way room shaker. He also had recordings of Henry Mancini's Ebb Tide, Joan Baez, Peter-Paul-and-Mary, Victory at Sea, and on and on. If I am not mistaken, I listened to Herb Alpert also!

My appetite for well reproduced sound was whetted and enhanced ... I will likely still have it throughout all my years, even if I become senile! And, in a nod to SSL's post, I wonder which will last longer even in senility ... an appetite for audio or for sex?

[This message has been edited by bestbang4thebuck (edited July 17, 2003).]