My first REAL system consisted of a Thorens turntable with a Mayware Formula 4 tonearm and a Grado cartridge ( I still have it and use it today!). That was into an Audible Illusions Tube preamp into a Hafler DH200 power amplifier (I still have a soft spot for this amplifier). This was driving the original version 1 Polk Audio 10's with the original phillips tweeters (this was when they actually sounded musical). This was all with Monster cable interconnects and speaker wire. The thing sounded great and I used to impress the hell out of my friends.
Your first stereo system
What was your first stereo or hi fi music system? What do you remember best about it? What were its strengths? Its weaknesses? What music provided you the most enjoyment from it? What did you trade in first and why? My first system was from Lafayette Radio Electronics. It consisted of a very small integrated amp, two small book shelf speakers, and a turntable I don't remember much about. I was thrilled to have the tiny amp, it provided much better sound than an a.m. radio, in such a small package. My system was in the basement of my parents home, with the speakers on opposite sides of my round water bed! The first "up grade" was to a cool looking Garrard turntable with a clear plastic hinged cover. My favorite music of the time was by Jim Morrison and the Doors. That system did its best to light my fire, and the memory of it still does.