Back in '83 I was fortunate to find a whole system for sale with a $5K price tag (original price was $10K). JBL 4343 speakers, a rack full of SAE including parametric EQ, tuner, 2 amps and an electronic crossover. Setting atop all this was Technics model 1400 custom made table from Japan (I have never seen anything like it since), mounted with a Shure V15 type III cartridge. Was the biggest single leap that I took until a decade later.
Your first “high end” system
1990 or so
Magnepan SMGa speakers, Adcom GTP 500II preamp tuner, Adcom GFA 545 amp, Thorens TD166 turntable with Shure V15 Type V, Cal Icon CD player
Magnepan SMGa speakers, Adcom GTP 500II preamp tuner, Adcom GFA 545 amp, Thorens TD166 turntable with Shure V15 Type V, Cal Icon CD player