My first “serious” speakers were CVs. Loved them and they were great rock speakers.

I think it’s the wrong question. The endgame is an illusion. The perfect system doesn’t exist, nor will it ever. Every single setup has strengths and weaknesses, but that’s kind of what makes the whole hobby fun.

I don’t do this as much anymore, but I loved my system, but always got antsy after a while for something new, something “better” in some way. I’d own it for a while, maybe years and years, then something else would catch my attention.

And my budget changed, so I could afford more expensive equipment, if I wanted it (within reason and what I could get my wife to agree on).

Paul McGowan at PS Audio had a good take on this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uytj1MvZMDQ

That’s the thing. It’s just fun to tinker and learn about how stuff works. Not sure kids do that anymore.

Those Science Fair electronics kits were amazingly great. My favorite was the shortwave radio.

Ah, so I double checked and it was the 1971 catalog that had 464 pages, not 1972. Also, you’re right, I didn’t count, just reacted to the dizzying array of stuff. But went back and looked and there were 33 turntables. But there were almost another 30 in consoles and all-in-one systems.

LoL that’s hysterical. I did look at the prices for stuff and it’s hard to relate to it now.

Those catalogs were like electronics porn 😁 for a kid like me.

Yeah, most of the equipment wasn’t bad at all.

I had an Allied Radio Shack table top all in one setup. Had a turntable, cassette deck, amp and tuner. I don’t remember the model but it was from like 1970-72.

It had a pair of Optimus speakers that were not terrible. Added a Teac 1230 reel to reel tape deck. It was a great setup for a 14 yr old kid.

I can’t speak to all 3, but I’m a huge fan of Polk speakers. They have a house sound I really like. Very smooth and balanced, image nice, and are never fatiguing.

This is the way. There are some vintage processors that have all kinds of spatial effects. Not to my liking, but I think that’s what the OP is looking for.

I think you can buff out that scratch.