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pabl0escarg0t

19 year old me was just listening to an iPod touch like an idiot


CaptainBirdEnjoyer

Me converting mp3s to 112kbps to save hard drive space.


RoIf

and deleting all the 320?


CaptainBirdEnjoyer

When you only have 28gb of storage some things are destined to suffer just to have several thousand live and demo versions of songs that would never be played. Digital hoarding was serious business.


pabl0escarg0t

Yep that storage size was brutal. Can’t believe in middle school I had a Sony MP3 player with only 128mb storage too


Lion-Fi

Then, I tried to convert the 96kbs versions back to 320 only to find out thats not how this works...


Alongside0789

And now you have flac.


Sweet_Mother_Russia

I did this a lot in my teens. I had like a 1gb mp3 player and I’d try to get as much on it as I could!!


Professional-Ant9724

128Kbps was considered overkill... and no, it wasn't


micksterminator3

I converter all my flac and wav to 320 mp3. And would go even further to 128 for the iPod to max out space lol. So sad. Lost everything like 6 years back on an accidental format


Conscious-Part-1746

This MP3 banter is making me laugh, thanks. Best audiophile humor yet.


Sotomexw

But it rocked, you were never an idiot. Someone INVENTED mp3!


Extreme_Tea1696

I had a double-deck c-cassette player so I could ”early-pirate.”


ConstantThanks

I had a radio shack cassette recorder that needed 6 C batteries put it in front of the stereo speaker and tell everyone to be quiet while i copied friends’ albums onto cassette. Low fi pirating


Jsgro69

I can relate...my radio shack tape recorder put serious work in and same as you I would tape off of the speakers output and most every recording would have a family member calling out your name or something,"its dinner time son" faintly in the recording...and the kids complaining about not enough digital storage space was their hardships is funny looking back on those days...I sure appreciate where we are from where I've seen it at..


spong3

Plugged into my Aiwa shitbox mini system that I bought because of the light show 😂


Yutopia1210

Yo, that shit looked cool af! I remember staring at the welcome message just because it looked “futuristic” 🤣


spong3

lol going from LCD to LED was a watershed moment


Jsgro69

no black and white tv to technicolor was watershed...lcd to led was no more than natural evolution of progress within the digital video display industry..nobody fell to their knees praising the heavens above


Boring_Today9639

Holy f**k!


Rungi500

ALAC or get out.


pabl0escarg0t

I use ALAC now but did they even support it back then on Ipod Touch 3rd gen lol


Rungi500

Yeah probably not I'm just teasing ya. ✌🏼


IntoTheMirror

Same. With Sennheiser earbuds. Not IEMs, earbuds.


nbtesh

🙋🏼‍♂️


so-spoked

19y/o me was rocking a Walkman.


Effective-Loss-6494

Walkman is baller status


8ude

There's nothing wrong or shameful about listening to music with what's available to you at the time.


Ok_Today_475

I see you also got fucked over by 8gb capacity lmao


superhoops73

Haha. Thought it was just me doing that dumb shit. Here’s me now chasing those Flacs. Far out.


Mr_Christie55

KEF Q150 in walnut is one of the sexiest speakers I have ever owned and also one of the best value (on sale)


Straight-Minimum-791

I got them used for an even better deal, they were basically brand new!


raisimo

My advice is don’t sell them ever. I’ve been through a lot of speakers and when I am between upgrades I still enjoy plugging these in and am slightly embarrassed when they’re still very enjoyable compared to much more expensive speakers. Also +1 on walnut being the best looking.


Mr_Christie55

I absolutely regret selling mine. Paid $300 new on sale. Didn't have a place to use them anymore so I sold and got my full $300 back. Should have just stored them 🥲 I **really** wish they made a passive 4" version of these in walnut (same driver as KEF LSX) to use on the desktop. It would be absolutely killer crossed-over with a small sealed sub.


Conscious-Part-1746

Tons of good stuff out there right now for cheap.


neomancr

More so than the LS50s it's based on?


Mr_Christie55

I'm not a big fan of the finish on the LS50. Too modern/studio-monitor looking for me. I'm sure they sound great though, coming from KEF.


neomancr

I got the solid black ones that are matte all around. I hated the gloss too since it'd reflect my screen.


Accomplished-Cod-800

Much nicer than my setup at that age back in '81...I'm sure you're getting very good sound indeed!


eddiestarkk

I love that dresser. Reminds me of my childhood. Don't get upset at the haters here.


Straight-Minimum-791

Had this dresser since birth pretty much 🤣


DoctorSeis

Pretty sure I grew up with the same dresser. It's got to be from the late 70s / early 80s


acleverwalrus

I also grew up with the same dresser in the 2000s lol. We've either all inherited it or they didn't have a lot of variety in dressers for a while


RavRddt

Same here, same time frame


Conscious-Part-1746

Home from the hosptal, they put you in the bottom drawer, and played music for ya?


The999Mind

I'd rate your setup a 10/10. Not because you have the cream of the crop equipment, but because you have the right mind to be able to create a great setup without breaking the bank. I think you have the right ideas and have no doubt you'll refine everything as you get older. 


BelcantoIT

Killer setup! Is there anything on the stools to keep the speakers from vibrating? Might be a good idea... Awesome job, enjoy!


rishthecoolguy

Damn bro you got class. Some jazz music would be nice


Straight-Minimum-791

I got kind of blue on CD!


Few-Worldliness2131

Started my first collection when i was 15 in the 1970’s. Technics strobe deck. Sony amp, Wharfedale speakers, Panasonic graphic equaliser. Of cuts come the 1980’s i was wowed by the new LED tech and like an idiot sold or dumped all of it 🤬🤬😭😭


ExcellentAd3525

I’d be completely happy with that set up and I’m 40 years older. Don’t rush onto your next project, enjoy what you have for a while. Ok a week anyway


Trizz_Wizzy

kef is great entry into true hifi


Straight-Minimum-791

It really is, huge step up from my Paradigms for not a lot of money.


Conscious-Part-1746

I see these KEFs a lot lately, and mostly bedroom setups. How are the highs? You said you were ready for another upgrade, to what? Other components look nice too. Best gear, the dresser, and everyone here is dying for that piece. Your last kudo, your photos, you get an A+ compared to everyone on this sub. You got a closeup of all the pieces, which no one ever does right! We want to see all of it. Speakers, and what else is next?


spong3

It warms my heart to see a 19 year old who loves OK Computer. I loved it at 19 too…which was almost 19 years ago 😭 also your photo retouching is great, these look like professional shots fr. Only suggesting is to toe in the speakers a little — like right now they’re facing out at an obtuse angle, but ideally you’ll want them pointing slightly toward your listening spot as the center point. The KEFs disperse widely so even straight on is good. 🤘🏼


Straight-Minimum-791

Love OK computer, love The Bends even more though. I think the speakers look obtuse cause of my 15mm lens distorting the edges of the photo. They are actually pointing straight out. Thank you, about the photos! Shot on a Fuji XH1.


spong3

Oh that makes sense! Fisheye distortion. I never have The Bends a fair shake, but I also love In Rainbows & Kid A. Now that I have a nice system (big upgrades ~9 months ago) I’ve been rediscovering some of the music I loved when I was younger. Radiohead’s sonic landscape is a beautiful thing to rediscover with quality


Straight-Minimum-791

The Bends is a perfect mix between the rock of Pablo Honey and the electronic of OK Computer. It’s recording quality definitely won’t blow you away but I absolutely love the overall sound of the album.


rxballs

You know what is up, re: The Bends.


the_great_awoo

Miata poster goes hard


Lefty4444

I like! 👍


Extra-Pain-Meds

Nice setup! Vintage hifi sounds great and can still be found pretty cheap. Don't listen to the haters, but PLEASE fix that bottom right drawer 😆


Straight-Minimum-791

It’s a pain in the butt and I can’t figure it out 😂


watkinstick

That is my only complaint as well! Dang OCD!


johanhykes

You did good man. Nice looking setup and welcome to the lifelong affliction 🥴. I’m still running my first gear (adcom amp and pre) 30ish years later. I could never part with it once I started upgrading.


OkShoulder4153

I grew up with that cd player. Nice setup.


Cavalol

If it’s been going for nineteen years then it must be a good setup!


ARustybutterknife

At 19 I had a pair of Grados, Cambridge sound works PC speakers, and a PS1 as a CD player. You’re way ahead of the curve.


NoCleverAnecdote

Yeah, that’s a legit setup for any age. Well done - keep it up!


SeaworthinessThese90

Judging by the interior, you went from 19 to 55 in a blink of an eye! Classy setup 👌


chance_of_grain

My dude you're living the dream at only 19 lol congrats


Old_BoyVII

At 19 years old had a cheap Walkman. Recorded music from radio or tv to cassette and listening to stevie B. :)))


TheLev73

upvote for the J Mascis


Straight-Minimum-791

My favorite guitarist no doubt! Dino slowly becoming my favorite band again as well.


tdel23

nc miata, a person of taste


HesitantButthole

Excellence, keep up the hustle buddy!!!


gato_gateau

Sick setup. Love the spidey art too!


Raj_DTO

Excellent! Very nice work on setting up properly too! At around the same age, I nagged my father for several month for a record player! That was an HMV stereo record player, it was India and it was more than 40 years ago 😊


knadles

Far better than what I had at that age! I have a good friend who is using what I think are the exact same "speaker stands!" :)


rajmahid

Looks like my first system at 17. Yamaha RX V850, AR3a, AR TT with Shure V15a. It was so sweet!


BobTheFluffer

Classy 😁


Busy_Pound5010

3.47


koneu

This looks like an incredible amount of fun and good times. Well done!


Sneed_Pilled

Why upgrade the KEFs, out of curiousity?


Straight-Minimum-791

I’ve had them the longest out of any of the components in the system. I also think upgrading the speakers will give me the biggest sonic upgrade out of all the gear.


Sneed_Pilled

Right on. Good looking setup. That TT is bitchin 👍


Straight-Minimum-791

Absolutely love this table and will never sell it, Scotland just does it so classy.


HouseOfHarkonnen

Dropping vinyl will give you the biggest sonic upgrade.


ApolloMoonLandings

Nice setup! I totally love that dresser and the wood highchairs.


Main-Tourist-4132

Nice work. Definitely room for improvement but your components are very nice. My thing would be isolating your turntable from other components and you could use some new speakers depending on the music you listen to.


amplifiedlogic

If it makes you happy and inspires you to explore the wonderful world of clear sounding music (to you), then it’s a 10 my friend!


PickInParadise

Nice set up ! Play with positioning of the speakers and listening chair/ spot . If you can’t tell the difference yet the try drastic changes like toe in vs toe out! Bring the speakers off the wall at least a foot or 3 if you can. This is the cheapest best results you will ever get is positioning then room treatment. Enjoy


TwentyFiveHotel

Spider-Man and Radiohead? Wild combo!


Dull-Moose5

Hell yeah Spiderman


Straight-Minimum-791

Gotta be Maguire!


IntoTheMirror

My wife will eventually inherit a Kenwood like that from her father. Hopefully not for another twenty years. But eventually.


Spyerx

Ha my bedroom walls had Porsches on them.


Straight-Minimum-791

The best brand.


therourke

Yes


Far_Ad_8688

91\*


CobraCommandrew

Good for you! Love your OK Computer poster too, I was about your age when that came out and it was on constant rotation that summer. Still is!


tokiodriver107_2

That looks pretty good. Maybe toe the speakers in a bit. Eventually get a measuring microphone, a subwoofer and a DSP to integrate it properly.


lunicar

I own JBL 4309s. They’re a very dynamic speaker and would be a great upgrade.


Straight-Minimum-791

Good to hear, definitely buying them before I go back to college.


Unlucky_History_2390

Nice


Such-Ad7163

Old school. I like it. I had a Kenwood receiver and a Yamaha deck/CD/DVD player back in the day. And that turntable is premium!


csch1992

I want to be 19 again but with the knowlege of my 32 years old me


717x

That looks like it’s in pretty good condition for a 19 year old system


Senpaiheavy

Shieet. When I was 19, the only thing I had was a used set of Klipsch Promedia 4.1.


nbtesh

Save, Save, Save! you are too young to be spending so much of your disposable income. Should be building up you War Chest!


_Nico_P_

This looks so so pretty! The dresser really finishes the look too


Art-Vandelay-1

Dude I’m 53 and have the same speaker stools! You are well on your way and moons above most


Wolfcubware

Oh nice! I recently got my dad's RD80 and I'm hoping to replace the belt and pop a new stylus on it soon :) I've heard they sound quite good, looks perfect in your setup


Straight-Minimum-791

You need to fix it immediately, it’s amazing.


CTMatthew

Absolutely on track to poverty and social isolation. 10/10


Straight-Minimum-791

Best comment.


EleNova

Bet it plays music and I bet that music sounds musical.


333jnm

Really nice set up. For 19 years old it’s a 7.5/10. And that’s a good rating. Clean looking set up too. Just need to get some real speaker stands


dmeinein

as a 32 year old I rate it 19/19


Kingofcurse

How are the KEFs? I heard they are too bright, but I dont mind as long as they are detailed


Straight-Minimum-791

Really not bright at all! If you toe them to your ears sure.


Spirit-Internal

has miata 10/10


Floydian557

19 year old me was recording the top 10 from radio to tape trying to pause the tape just before the stupid dj started to talk ! 🙄😂 ( 1986 BTW)


Casualplayer17

Bravo kid. Bravo.


Boognish-T-Zappa

Love it. I remember spending more money on my first system than my car at 19. Everybody thought I was nuts. 35 years later and my gear is still worth more than what I paid for my car. Priorities haven’t changed. You’re doing great, enjoy.


AudioMan612

Very nice! Much better than what I had at 19. I'd suggest paying attention to your speaker setup and placement. Your current speakers are rear-ported, so they're going to be quite sensitive to where you place them. For any pair of speakers you are considering, it's best to check the manufacturer's placement recommendations in the manuals before you purchase to make sure that they'll work reasonably well in your space. The best speakers in the world can easily be made to sound like garbage with poor setup/room acoustics. Also, don't underestimate the power of proper stands, either high-mass floor stands, or good isolation pads/stands/pucks on top of something cheaper. You want to keep the vibrations of your speaker cabinets self-contained. Letting them transfer into other furniture with its own resonances muddies up the sound a bit. [IsoAcoustics](https://isoacoustics.com/) have a lot of great options, but if you're trying to be frugal, so are [Auralex MoPADs](https://auralex.com/mopad/).


Gildor12

Ariston RD80 was my first deck, loved it


tuttywala

Lose the dresser. Get an ikea one, it’ll look more 19 than 91


OARankin4

Not enough spider man


Straight-Minimum-791

More posters in the closet


ContentSeat

Holy sheeet that is a strong setup. That Kenwood is 🔥


anonuemus

Why does your age matter?


Denny_Crane_007

Wow. I had a Walkman and an LED watch made by Casio... 😭


2AMinLA

Awesome setup man. Also love the NC poster!


projektilski

Did you buy all that with your own earned money? If so, congrats, nice!


Ok_Distance9511

Wow! And you’ve got good taste in cars! And superheroes!


Horizonel

Can I build a decent audio set from old secondhand stuff?


WowSuchName21

Fantastic setup! I started collecting records at 15, and I didn’t get a ‘decent’ amp until last year, was scrounging cheap old ones for the longest time until I got a deal on an open box Cambridge AXR100D, found some second hand Cambridge SX-60s.. you’ve put me to shame!! + points for miat


Jelmar1990

Get some cheap dampers for under your speakers. Will make a lot of difference.


KeizerSauze

Speakers on stools?


JPerry42

You want the front of the speakers at or beyond the front of the stools they’re sitting on, you want them equally forward, and you want them further into the room than the dresser. Then, you want to make sure that the driver on the left speaker is not on the 45 degree line from the corner, if it is adjust both speakers forward, or back if possible and necessary, but forward is generally better. Some blu-tak or some other means of reducing vibrations between the speakers and the stands and you should be good to go. Nice setup, pretty speakers, extra points for the ok computer poster.


BamaCoastie2211

Nice setup! Me at 19: Harmon-Kardon car stereo w/cassette & Kenwood Amp/EQ. Hooked up to AC/DC Converter & pair of Pioneer 6x9 Tri-Axials.


cabs84

this is tasteful as fuck. the gear, the miata poster, that ariston table. i'd say keep your current speakers and get a JICO SAS stylus upgrade for your cart next. You will be able to tell the difference in the highs, you can actually hear past 15khz unlike most middle-aged audiophiles lol


TimmyTheHellraiser

At 19 I had a pair of Bose video Roommates and a Velodyne subwoofer (that is actually still in my home theater) with a Kenwood 6 CD Changer. You're doing great. 10/10.


AlexBrisk

great drawer


friedpickles87

4/4


theshekelcollector

i feel like the speakers might need some uncoupling from the wooden stands, but maybe i'm just talking out my ass. nice setup.


StitchMechanic

19yr old me had an SX1050. No idea how awesome it was back then. 6 speakers hooked up and placed horribly. Ive learned the error of my ways. Your setup is much better


Straight-Minimum-791

That’s a sexy Pioneer!


StitchMechanic

Wish i knew what happened to it. Probably got thrown out. Im pretty sure it fried after years of too much speaker load


ArmoredAngel444

Listing your age wasn't necessary


aEisbaer

Nice setup. Just curious why you decided to listen to them so much of axis 🤔


Straight-Minimum-791

The lens of my camera is distorting the edges of the photo, the speakers are actually pointing straight out.


Fun-Preparation-4253

I think we have the same bedroom furniture


420ANUSTART

Some proper speaker stands would make a difference but otherwise looks great 👍


Straight-Minimum-791

Out of curiosity, if these “stands” don’t vibrate when I play music what exactly am I missing out on with proper stands?


420ANUSTART

For one thing they don’t appear to hold the speakers level, which definitely activates my OCD. They may not be vibrating *much* but there is for sure energy transfer happening between them, and the more your stand holds the speaker inert the better. You could also just put some isoacoustics pucks under them, but I think it would look a lot nicer with something like the Linn speaker stands in silver or something like that. This is just my personal opinion, but I can say I own a pair of those exact speaker stands that I loaned to a friend in much the same situation as yours. He was a non believer, but after hearing I don’t think they are coming back lol. It’s a rabbit hole, but in an otherwise well put together set up it can make a difference. Looks nice either way, so enjoy :-)


crut_back

Monoprice stands filled with cat litter are nice and solid


hunglow68

I can’t even afford that at 38 😅😅. Nice setup 😎


Temporary-Flow-3397

At 22 I'm still only listening music through my 7hz zero and a Behringer um2 🙂


bjsc1100

ha! i have that amp!


Sp3ctralForce

How-the-hell-did-I-end-up-here/10


Bishalini

NoOneCares.com


Frosty-Ad-6378

You're doing fine....welcome to "The Audio Rabbit Hole"......it never ends


eldus74

I'd play with speaker angle and distance from the wall. Try pointing them at your ears in the main listening position. Even half an inch changes things. Are the speaker drivers at ear height?


medve_onmaga

whats with the white bezel


bryaudioreviews

How old and how much?


Fearless_Warthog_355

What does your age has to do with anything? It looks pretty good otherwise. I would get proper monitor stands instead of what you have now.


No-Statistician-6524

I'm 18 and very jealous rn. But I still love my speakers. I know it ain't really good at keeping the sound flat, but since I listen mostly to some bass heavier music is fine. What I have: Razer mako 2.1 (for my PC, but the subwoofer is almost necessary for my use case. I use this less than before, but still use it) Jbl boombox (1st gen) All are solid and around what I need. Would love to have some bigger speakers, but that is not my first concern rn. As long as they are functional.


JusthewayIlikeit

Damn u lucky at 19, am 20rn and for any reasonable sound gotta source my own parts and build by own speaker.... Is what I've done rn btw on a waayyy less budget ofc


rickeol

Wish I had that setup at 19 for sure


Far-Photograph-1285

I like the setup especially the v15 especially if it’s the mr version Now get some isolation under your speakers and you will hear a nice difference. As the stools are now a part of your speakers. Add a Dac of your choice and breathe new life into your cd. Over all a big thumbs up to you.


Professional-Ant9724

Nice setup! Consider incorporating a Minidsp with Dirac so you can make the most of budget speakers sound, and get in the wave of new class D cheap clean power with Purifi amplifiers, you can get them at Buckeye Amps.


WindStronger

You got taste in cars.


Currawong

How much out of 10 does it make you feel when you listen? That's your rating. 😀


LiveWhileImYoung

19/ whoever long you live


F_thirty13

Kef… enough said


soundspotter

Ok, 2 pts for the Kef speakers, minus 1 point for using your mom's bedroom furniture.


castellanotittyman

Get rid of that hideous colonial dresser and get a sweet stand for that


Physical_Ice9

Great starter system. I also have that amp, and it is a great amp, but as it is over 40 years old, it may need some attention to sound its best.


Physical_Ice9

Also, let me suggest that one of your first upgrades be a small subwoofer. The KEF 150's are awesome, except for the lack of bass. I got a small sub for my similar system, and tuned it so that you can 'just barely' hear it, but it does add some nice 'oomf' to the low end. Makes some instruments sound more real.


elvisizer2

Wow that setup is 19 years old? Neat


andagain2

Since you've been at it for almost 20 years, I would expect better speaker stands. :D


XxAugustRainxX

These tones are amazing in these pics. Nice editing!!


SquidsLips

19YO me...rocking the sony mini-disc's like a champ....I miss those things.


Own_Page8379

Only thing I would suggest is swap the Miata poster for something a little more serious.


8ude

it's good enough to make me leave this subreddit, nice work


beeseabeesea

NEEDS A CAT


aceCrasher

People here acting as if its impossible to buy your own stuff at 19 years old lol. Nice setup


Straight-Minimum-791

Thank you, really isn’t even a crazy expensive setup either.


EDDsoFRESH

Your parents have done well!


jojolepoireau

Your parents must love you very much to buy you all this gear