your first system-

Yes… progress.

I think my first system was centered around a Marantz 2040 integrated amp (I still have it), Philips turntable… and I don’t remember the speakers… 1972… I’m guessing $500… same as one semester of tuition.

Every few years my system improved. My first real high end amp I took out my first loan to buy: $5K… Threshold S500. In today’s dollars $18,800! 1980. My current amp is $22K, preamp is $17K…. And performance wise… there is no comparison… different universes. So similar prices and incredible performance increases.

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. :)

My first system was a Lafayette’s LR3500 and Lafayette T1000 turntable with Lafayette 3 ways all for $600 new. Crazy my interconnect are more than that….

After 6yrs in depth research, I’m almost done putting my first bucket list high end audio system together. Constellation Inspiration Pre and Stereo Amp, Chord MScalar, Denafrips Terminator, Innuos Zenith, VPI Avenger, Lyra Etna, VDH Grail SB, SR grounding block, EquiTech 1.5, TimberNation and HRS racks, Kimber Palladium PCs, Tara Labs speaker cable. Only have Magico A5 and remaining cables to purchase to get things running. Also started to put my second flea watt system together with my purchase of Coincident Frankenstein 300B amps. Buying used whenever I can to save $.

Fun topic! 1977 for me as well. Amazingly, my parents surprised me with it, probably for my birthday. (I wonder if they later regretted it!) It was a Harmon Kardon 330c receiver, a Garrard 55b turntable ... and Acoustic Research speakers, though I can't remember the model. Mostly I remember the green lights on the receiver. I bought Get Yer Ya-Yas Out and Zep2, added some Koss headphones, and never looked back....