the gateway product that turned you into an audiophile

yes @lanx0003 but there must have been a moment (in one you were lanx0002, in the next one 0003 - the audiophile) and in that moment something triggered you?

When I bought my first pair of Magnepans, MGIIa, 1980.

I started with Crazy Eddie in JHS, then Tech HiFi in HS. But the product that got me into audio was a pair of small B&W DM17 speakers that I bought in the late 70's from the first real audio store I ever made a purchase from. After getting married I took a long leave from audio equipment, but then I read about and bought a pair of KEF LS50 speakers that got me started again.

@gano  I would attribute my gateway gear to the Wharfedale Linton speakers. My amplifier purchase was pretty straightforward—I’ve kept all three power/integrated amps I bought and never looked back. The speakers (and later, the DAC), however, were a different story. I home-auditioned three sets of speakers before finally settling on the Lintons. I’d say these speakers can be a bit unforgiving with poorly recorded material, but when the setup and synergy are right, the payoff is tremendous. They deliver a spacious soundstage, natural tonality and agile bass. That’s the fundamental reason they set me on a long journey into music listening—I wanted to tame this feral horse.

I think the first time I heard baba o’reilly while stoned I was hooked. Hardware would be the realistic sta 235b and pair of Bose 901 VI.