What started you on your audiophile journey .

My father is a professional musician, so I had a love of music from a very early age. I could sing the opening of Chabrier's España (the Mercury LP of the DSO and Paray) on pitch before my dad put the needle down when I was three years old. I always knew I was going to be a professional musician as well. However, my father did not have high end equipment, though he did have pretty much the best of mid-fi. It was my uncle who introduced me to the audiophile world. I first heard his Altec A7 Voice of the Theater speakers when I was eight. Couldn't afford my own high end system until many years later, though. Used to get by in college and afterwards with a pair of Cerwin Vega's, a Harmon Kardon receiver, and a Technics table. Still have the first two items, though they haven't been in my system in years.

There were many influences before that, but once I heard my new friend's stereo which was a great mid-fi, I got into it more seriously.

It was from a Sony transistor Radio from the 60's my mother had, which had bass and treble tone controls.. I was always trying to equalize the sound of the music the radio was producing.. The bass was always thin, so I boosted it to around the 2:00 position, then set the treble around the 12:30 position or slightly higher... then, would adjust the volume to where she liked it.. My Mom always like the way I set those controls... but hated it when I got too obsessed with playing around with her radio!

My hostel mate during university days back in the late 80s.

Music was always part of who I was so my dad brought home a Garrard turntable and Eico integrated amp from a yard sale when I was 14 or so. He did this to keep me away from his console stereo in the living room. I had to build my own speakers from some MDF and a pair of eight inch speakers.
Enjoyed that for a couple of years before buying a Harman Kardon receiver with a BSR turntable and Tech Hifi's branded speakers.