How did it started...

I started in Audiophilism(?) back in 1977, when my dad bought me a used Kenwood receiver, Akai speakers, Dual 1219 turntable with Shure M91E cartridge. Soon after (like 95% of people at that time) I was upgrading (downgrading...) to Technics crap. On 1980 my system got stolen and I entered into what I consider my first Audiophilism depression period.

Then in 1984 it happened, I went to a small local audio store, Precision Audio, and heard my first Flat-Earth system, a Rega Planar 2 turntable, Linn Basik cartridge, Creek CAS4040 integrated amplifier, and a pair of Wharfedale Diamonds MkI. There was no turning back, and I ended up getting a loan to buy it!

After a few months I ended up working for that same audio store (they still do business and are highly recognized!) as Service Manager. I had more than enough time to compare Flat-Earth brands like Linn, Naim, Creek, Rega, etc. with the rest of the world stuff (follow the tune my friend!!!). Today I'm still convinced the Earth is Flat.

As time passed I finally got a hand on a new LP12, Ittok LVII, and a myriad of Linn cartridges (Basik, K9, Trak, Asak, Karma) and upgraded my electronics to Nait1, 42.5/110, 42.5/SNAPS/160, 32.5/HiCAP/250, and a pair of new MK1 Linn Kans (owned until late last year). In 1986 I finally surrendered to Linn after hearing their newly released LK1/LK2 pre/power combo, and by the way, blowing more channel amp boards in a day than the Linn factory.

In 1997 my wife and I made a pilgrimage trip to the Linn Factory in Scotland (as part of our European trip), and there were real people (not gnomes!) working off their butts off to make us Flat-Earthers happy. On my visit I had a glance on an experimental CD player of what is today the CD12 (no pictures of it allowed at the time..., but other pictures available here), and a bunch of other stuff, which I don't remember know (maybe they gave me something in the coffee to forget everything what I saw that day...).

Musical enjoyment is what most people look for when buying a hi-fi system. In the end, they forget the original reason to buy it, and end up comparing specs for different brands (which is totally useless).

It's very simple, just let your feet tap and get involved in the music. Try to predict what the musician's inflection on the next note is going to be, without ever hearing the song first. Is funny, but it works.

A table with descriptions and pictures of my Audiophile System can be seen here.

If interested, there are a few Flat-Earth forums in which interesting discussions regarding Flat-Earth (and Round-Earth...) audio stuff arise and keep going and going and going...

If interested, click here to read a little bit about Linn equipment history. It's not perfect, but the information is valuable for people that, like me, would like to get information on upgrades and modifications to their Linn equipment, which will make it more musical in the most majority of the cases.

Happy listening!!!