How old were you when audio gear first caught your interest?

I grew up in a household that had a table-top radio/phono combo that played only 78s (with osmium-tipped styli) and, although I was an avid music listener as a kid, I never paid any attention to the sound because I had nothing with which to compare it.

However, around 1953, my grade school buddy’s parents bought a VoM console that played LPs and, on a visit, he played a Mantovani LP.  I was amazed by what I visuallized as a cascade of violins pouring out of this box.  It was stunning.

After 2 years of voracious reading, I became the owner of a primitive component system (record changer, integrated amp, bookshelf speaker) and I was hooked before I even got to high school.

My best friend and I were just discussing this. When we were about 16 we would take the speakers off the Sears "portable" stereo (turntable folded up into the box)... about $49 in 1967 and put them on the floor and put our head in between the speakers. The bass was great at 2"

So, there are stories a few years earlier of me listening with my ear to the speaker  late at night to the tube counsel in my bedroom at whisper volume so my parents would not hear. But, I'll put my stake at 16.

My father bought an all-tube Fisher system in a console cabinet in 1964 when I was five years old. It came with a Dual turntable and a Teac reel-to-real. He knew what he was doing - his Bachelor's Degree was in engineering physics from the electrical engineering department school and he was in grad school having finished his Master's in physics. He knew electronics. And I was fascinated.

I bought my first system with my paper route earnings (I saved up for over a year). at Christmas time 1974 when I was 15. It was a Pioneer SX-636, Fischer XP88 speakers, and a Dual 1215 w/ a Stanton cartridge. 

I was on my way,

On was on my way

@bdgregory , there was an “ Audio Sales “ in Fresno, was that the place ? 

1965 I was four. Dual 1019 w Grado cartridge arrived w store demo MC240 and new MX-110Z and custom ordered cherry cabinet Bozak speakers - half a Concert Grand in a low boy configuration 

Young Persons Guide to Orchestra and Al Hirt - Carnival of Venice ensued…

this eventually led to a Denon TT, Grado, Onkyo A5 and Infinity Qb speakers… leading to employment at two high end stores…

I still have and greatly enjoy the MC240