Where did you buy your first audio gear?

I had a hand me down system from the parents called a Zenith Mini Wedge. They saw I really liked music and ended up supporting my interest. This lead to the purchase of the following as a complete set:

• JVC R-X80 Receiver
• JVC KD-D40 Cassette Deck
• Dual 508 turntable with a Stanton cartridge
• Phillips CD100 CD player
• Infinity RSa speakers

The turntable became a Denon DF-35F with a Grado cartridge and the CD player become a Denon DCD-1500 about a year or so later.

All where purchase from local non-chain HiFi shops in Pennsylvania, US

1st stereo was a $35 suitcase job from Great Eastern Mills in NY in 1964. 1st real system was from Campus Stereo in State College, PA; Marantz 1060 integrated, Electrovoice 15A speakers, and dome Garrard turntable. I was in heaven!

Off the back of a truck from a guy in the alley. Not kidding.

World Radio, Lincoln, Ne.

I was 14yrs old when I bought my first system. I worked all summer mowing lawns and a winter shoveling snow to pay for it.

Pioneer SX 424, dual turntable, Utah 10" 3 way bookshelf speakers.

The Utahs had an annoying buzz now and then. I sold them and got Ultralinier 100S 12" 3 way speakers which did well for a 14yr old with no money!

First set of separates. Radio Shack. Receiver TT and speakers, walked back and forth three times to get it all home. No car as I was 14 or 15 years old. 
First step up. Proton amp and preamp, mission speakers, Phillips CD from The Speaker Shop in North Lima Ohio. Nick was the best, taught me all I know about audio. He and his wife were the best. Genuine, warm, fun music loving people I can honestly call my friends. Ended up working for them in perhaps the best collage job I ever had. Magical times.