I know better now, and I know that this will generate some snickers, but it was the first time I viewed and heard a pair of Bose 901's. The father of a girlfriend had a sweet system and those 901's just sounded awesome to my 15yo ears. This started my journey. I NEEDED a system of my own, no matter how humble.
Saved up what I could as a bus-boy and walked down the three blocks to my local Radio Shack. I had to make three trips, speakers, receiver and turntable. It was mine and I was proud of it. For Christmas the same year my dad bought me a pair of AKG K240's. I swear I levitated while reclining on my twin bed, listening to Led Zep though those cans. (no mind altering aides were involved).