Senior Audiophiles - Audiophile since the 60-70's?

I started my search for the Holy Grail back in the mid 60's when I was in high school. My father introduced me to "Hifi." I had a Heathkit amp and a pair of KLH 17's. I used a Garrard turntable at first and switched to a Dual both with a Shure M91.
My favorite system from the past was purchased in about 1977-78. It consisted of a Dynaco PAT 5 preamp, Dynaco Stereo 150, a pair of "New Advents" and a Dual 1229 turnatable with a Shure V-15II. I also had a Dynaco FM tuner and a Wollensak reel to reel. I also bought one of the first Advent cassette decks with Dolby at some point in there.
Since, I have had all kinds of stuff. I remember my first pair of Vandersteen Model 2's in 1978.
Fast forwarding to now, I have by far the best system I have ever had. No, the old stuff isn't even close. I now have a pair of Vandersteen 3A Signatures, Vandersteen 2Wq subs(a pair), Audible Illusions L-1 preamp, Theta Dreadnaught in a 4-ch configeration for vertical biamping and a Meridian 508-24. I still mess with different wire from time to time but at present, I'm using Tara Labs Master Generation II speaker cables in a bi-wire and Harmonic Technologies interconnect. I have never had a system so pure that just sounds right. This may be it for me. My ears will not hold up forever and I'm ready to retire from the race(more than one.)

Sorry, I forgot the last couple of questions (senior moment.)
My favorite time was the late 60's and early 70's. College was a blast. I loved the music and I loved the equipment that played it. It was nice looking and well built for the most part. North Carolina was the place to be! James Taylor, now that's my man!
These days, audio has become a race for who can spend the most. A lot of the equipment today is not worth anywhere near what they are asking for it. Businesses remind me of car dealerships! So many salesman have so much hot air and think they know everything(especially the young guys.) It takes a long time to figure this stuff out. You may be an "Audiophile" but it takes a lot of experience to learn what is important and what is hype.