As a very young kiddo in the 50s, I listened to my aunt's tabletop record player and, later, as a young teen, to my parents' Grundig console. However, I would say the audiophile bug bit me in 1971, after listening to a high school friend's 2 channel system (i.e. Sansui integrated + Throrens TT + can't remember the speakers). After that experience, my amplifier with built-in 8 track player and small bookshelf speakers just didn't cut it! So, I bought what I considered to be my first "audiophile" level 2 channel system in 1972 at Tech HiFi in Cambridge (i.e. Sansui 2000X + Phillips 212 TT + Studiocraft speakers). That, too, was an irresponsible purchase. That money should have gone to college expenses. Quickly thereafter, I upgraded the speakers to Ohm C and the rest, as they say, is history.
I wouldn't say what I have now is my dream system, per se, but it is more than adequate for my 23' X 14' living room. My dream sound system would involve building or buying a home with a dedicated sound room and filling it with new toys.