It was all about putting together a nice sounding starter system on a budget. Got the Parasound receiver and tape deck for $90, CDP for $50, speakers for $200. Look for Erica's name on AudioGon in 10 years!
I think even young people can appreciate quality sound, and we should give them that. I teach music, and when I upgrade their strings or a bow, they are quick to take notice! I was surprised at their acute judgement, and felt bad for giving them less than pro stuff. Enjoyment of Baroque music is supposed to enhance their intellectual develpment as well - I would recommend Mozart - (Mozart effect). One positive thing you can tell your wife, if she isn't into this thing.
I'm most of the way there, all-tube system with in-wall 'statics. Only challenge is keeping the stylus in-groove when we dive. more tinkering required...
I have three kids, the nine year old is the youngest and is last to receive a system. I know she'll love it, she's a very appreciative kid and quite artistic. My son who is now 12 has made mention of wanting a HT set up in his bedroom. Blasphemy! If he brings that up one more time I'll be forced to get him a turntable! Odd how their musical tastes change; he was into rap and lost interest in it (thankfully) and now seems fixated on Ozzy Osborne. Not a fan of Black Sabbath but seems to love Ozzy solo. Go figure.
My son who is now 14 has a system I put together for him a few years ago when things were better, cash not as tight as now ! I shopped around and switched out stuff at the right prices... Revox 285 receiver, Revox 225 cd, Nakamichi 600 Cassette, a/d/s 710 series II Monster M1 speaker cables. All above are Mint .Before the Revox he had an awesome Luxman 1120 receiver with a cracked glass. My first system was a battery powered reel to real and a portable record player. But wow they were fun too!
Nice to see that I am not the only parent that does this... I recently put a small system together for my nine year old son, thus far he has taken excellent care of it. The only people he will allow to even touch it is him and myself. I had a good laught the other day when his mother was in his room and going to do something, and he started yelling at her for touching it. I think he may become a fanatic, just like the old man!!!! It is my personal feeling that EVERY audiophile, with children, should do something like this for their kids. It is something that my some and I enjoyed doing together and he has learned the resposiblity of taking care of something. I have just one question for you though, has yours started talking about upgrades???? BIT AT THE AGE OF 9!!!!!!!
Although I've only been a hardcore audiophile for three years, I got an early start because my father always allowed me access to his hifi even when I was five or six years old.
That's how I developed a respect for equipment, an interest in audio, and a love for different types of music. I used to love playing those flimsy plastic classical TV records that would come in the mail when I was a kid in the '60's.
I have twelve systems in all now, click on my Systems button and they're all there. I went to my boss' house yesterday, I have nothing compared to him. Unreal.
Sean & MWilson: I absolutely agree with you, the sooner they have something nice the sooner they learn to take care of their things. My kids have always respected my systems, and I promised myself as they grew older they would have a decent set up to enjoy music. I have all the stuff now (my kids don't even ask why I have extra gear strewn around, I suspect they're used to it by now) and the system will be installed in her bedroom on January 21st, Erica's ninth birthday. I'll install the TT1, run the speaker wires in the wall and mount the speakers using swivel wall-mounted supports. She'll come home from school and she'll have the gift of music awaiting her. I suppose I could be accused of spreading the disease?
p.s. I considered the dedicated lines and maybe some high end cables but as it it her mother is less than impressed with this stuff going in her little girl's room. Maybe next year? hehehehe
I completely concur with the observation that it teaches responsibility and how to take care of things. It goes hand in hand with pride of ownership, and learning not to treat everything as if it were a disposable (a growing trend among our youth, and this world.)
I still have my Boston Acoustics A60s from my first system that my father bought me when I was 12. I refoamed them last year (boy, did that ever help!), and they sound excellent for their age - sealed cabinet, high efficiency, 8" bass/mid driver - mates well with the little ASL wave 8 tube monos I have in my bedroom system.
They still look quite good and sound great after 16 years. They even survived college - perhaps the strongest argument that these concepts were passed on successfully.
Perhaps in 16 years, your daughter's B&W monitors will still be in use somewhere in one of her systems!
Jeff, if you were a REALLY good Father and loving audiophile, she would have her own dedicated power line and you would buy her some "fancy" power cords, interconnects and speaker cables : )
Nice job. I think that starting kids off young not only lets them share the joys of music, it teaches them a little bit of responsibility in terms of taking care of their belongings. After all, not many kids that age can say that they have their very own "system". Owning something nice instills a sense of pride and the desire to take care of / treat personal belongings with respect. Sean >
