way, way back in the dark ages; my boss bought one of the new Sony's for a little over a grand. His boss and I were very good friends outside of work, and he was getting into the hi-fi game. Any we had to hear about how great these silver discs were everyday. I told Dave (don't buy one yet), so instead we went for a listen to this thing.
I rode with Dave leaving my car at his house so I was a captive listener. After about an agonizing hour Dave leans over to me and ask what I thought. I simply said if this is all it's got, then I'm good right now! It just sounded horrible. I told Dave to keep that turntable I set up for him, and maybe add a better cartridge or phono preamp later.
Five years roll by, and I ain't got one and ain't getting one. Dave goes out and buys somekind of Sony ES model, and it was quite a bit better, but his turntable still smoked it seven days a week. About that time I come into an Accuphase intergrated amp and just add an Onkyo T9 tuner. Dave shows up with his wife for a listen. Now Dave wants one! I quietly told Dave's wife he really didn't want one as they were over priced. He ends up with an Onkyo A9 and a T9 tuner (all he needed). That Sony CD player really stood out now once we figured how to set it up. I get a new turn table, and Dave is bugging me for a listen. Tell him he's got to work me a bunch so I can buy the tone arm! He did! So I have an Acoustic Signature Final Tool (still use it after 18 years (more or less). Dave and Bobbie drop by (she really has to go to the mall). Dave wants one really bad, and I told Bobbie he didn't need one! His CD player bites the dust after five or six years. The two of us buy Marantz 8260's and we are happy. Mine dies a horrible death, and his was dead about six weeks later. I send mine back to Marantz as it was still in warranty. Played exactly one month to the day! Dave buys the top of the line Sony (777ES) SACD player. Still has it. I buy a Jolida and I'm happy, and still plays well. I've retubed it twice, but that's about it. Yet the turn table easily smokes it day in and day out. I may never buy another SACD player again and just invest in a good streamer. Dave is still using that Technics D.D. SL1200 table. I did finally talk him into changing out the head shell and getting a new cartridge.
gary
