Back in 2005, so not until I was 50 years old, an Opera Audio a120 integrated hybrid amplifier (90W, 6H30 tube) was the first piece of audiophile kit I’d ever acquired. It was my Pandora’s box intro to the amazing world of hi-end audio that, until then, I never knew existed.
Your first component that was "special"
I got into hifi 40 years ago. I had a Pioneer receiver, Kenwood table, various entry level cartridges (ADC, Stanton, Empire) and Studio Design speakers. I wound up buying a Shure V15 Type 3 cartridge. That was the first piece of gear I bought that was way beyond ordinary. I had kept the cartridge until about 2o years ago- I sold it because by then no decent replacement stylus was available. Wish I still had it.