1973-I was 18 and had travelled cross country with a high school buddy after graduating. We ended up in Maynard Massachusetts where I got a job for Digital Equipment Corp. I worked in a department with some Vietnam Vets who were all into audio and, after hearing them discussing gear, and telling them I wanted to buy a decent stereo, they suggested I buy a pair of AR 7's which I did and they also told me to go down to H.H. Scott (just down the street) because every Friday they opened to the public and sold equipment, as is, that had some kind of defect(s). I purchases a receiver that worked perfectly for $75.00. The only thing wrong with it was it was missing the bottom cover. I don't remember the turntable I had at the time but after coming back home to Washington State a few months later I purchased an AR turntable with a Shure cartridge (don't remember the model), and an Advent model 201 cassette player which was the first player to have Dolby noise reduction. For it's time it was an incredible sounding system. Those speakers made a lot of jaws drop. And I don't know if I'll ever enjoy a system, no matter how good, as much as I did that one.
Your First System
This should be good!!! Most of us have been in this expensive hobby for years now and have worked our way up to components we only dreamed of. I want to know what was your first system of separate components going back as far as you can remember. My first consisted of a Pioneer SX-680 receiver, a Technics SLD-1 turntable (I think that's the right model #), a Sharp tapedeck, and KLH floorstanding speakers. I was 16 at the time and thought I was the biggest badass on the block. Now, 20+ years later I have a ML 334, Meridian 507 CD, CJ PV10A, Canton Ergo 900 speakers, and a Transparent Power Isolator 4. I'm in the process of upgrading to a ML 390. It goes without saying the IC's and speaker cables are top notch as well. I know my system is WAAAYYYYY down the foodchain compared to what I've seen here but It would be interesting to see what everyone started out with.