First system was in the mid 70's and consisted of Marantz 2230 receiver, Pioneer PL-10D turntable, Empire cartridge, Creative Lab Standard speakers. My next step up was a NAD 3140 integrated amp and Large Advent speakers. The jump in sonics really got me hooked. :)
your first system-
I put together my first system in 1977- turntable, receiver, speakers and a cassette deck- $600. An on-line inflation calculator tells me that is $2760 in 2022 dollars. I am sure a current $1500 streaming based system can be assembled that would demolish my 1977 system. That's what I call real progress!