Started building it in 1976 with a Pioneer SX-750 receiver, and Pioneer CT-7272 Cassette, Dual 1245 turntable (still have and won't part with), Technics direct drive turntable, MXR 10 band graphic equalizer and the key component, Electro Voice ETR-18 Speakers (still have and will never part with). Later upgraded to Phase Linear amp and pre-amp with 4-Bose 901's for a nightclub. Nothing matches (then or now) the sound reproduction of the ETR-18's (Environmental Transducer Research). Today's digital stuff is crap in comparison.
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.