I had the same Craig "all-in-one" or similar to the OP's. TT, 8-track, and tuner. My parents got it for me when I was 14. It lasted through college where I was exposed to real gear. Had a few ex-GI buddies that brought back killer systems from the mid-late 70s.
Before that, I had a steel needle POS but it played records. Good enough for a 5-year old...
My folks had a TV "console" unit with a TT and tuner, and a stand-alone "record player".
My first bonus check in 1981 went for a Technics receiver and linear tracker paired with EPI speakers. I was surprised the cartridge and stylus cost as much as the TT. I still have the receiver, TT and that Stanton cartridge still sounds good.