When I was young and a skilled factory worker (offset printing) I could afford budget gear like NAD 3020 amp, Boston Acoustics A40 speakers, Dual TT with Grado MM cart, Heathkit tuner, and I splurged on a Pioneer RT-707.
When I was in my prime earning years (computer programmer) I spent money on PRO-AC and Ref 3A speakers, OTL Tube amp, Class A SS amp, McIntosh Tuner, Benchmark DAC1 preamp.
Now that I am retired I am enjoying also some of the new budget giant killers, for example ELAC DBR-2 Reference speakers, FIIO preamp/dac and AIYIMA A07 Class D amp.
The quality of budget gear - if you were knowledgeable - was pretty great in the 70s, took a dive in the 80s and 90s (like just about everything else except Toyotas) and has seen a resurgence of great value items in the 2020s, IMHO.