I was part of a family band growing up and I would mess around with the PA equipment. Got my first audio system in 1971 and first really high-end system in 1974. So, let's see, that means something around 50 years in this hobby. Still intrigued by it all, in fact just got off the phone with Jerry at Audio Magic. I've had a variety of interests through the years, but Audio/Video has gotten the most consistent attention.
How long ago did you catch the bug?
My first inkling was about 1972 when a friend mentioned such things as Dual, Thorens, AR, Scott, etc. By '74-'75 I knew about all the Japanese manufacturers (courtesy of a military PX catalog) and about McIntosh. By '76 was using a hand me down all in one Panasonic compact system. The compact system did not last long and very shortly after, '77, came a "proper" 1970's system with such names as Pioneer, Kenwood, Shure, AR, Teac.