Biggest impact on you?

My second pair of Advents added to the first pair in 1983. One pair of Advents was a good stereo but Double Advents made for a transformation to the big time and were still pretty cheap. They had impact, too. My landlords and neighbors reluctlantly listened to whatever I listened to. They were lucky but they didn't know it!

Heathkit tube integrated, old Ampex reel to reel and EPI MicroTowers... back in junior high. Wish I could remember all the model numbers, and that I still had them! Made me realize that there was something beyond the sound that came from the big Sears Silvertone console in my folks dining room. The journey since has been quite a trip. And, the real impact came from the fact that my mother had season tickets to the symphony and I learned at an early age what live music really sounded like; that's the "component" that has the real impact!

Excellent responses all, thanks for sharing in the fun!

Also my music server which has totally changed the way I listen to music and made the musical discovery process a lot more enjoyable and efficient. Another game changer.

From what I have, or do, own.
Audio Research tube amps and preamps.(some other brands are good too, but this was my first exposure to REAL GOOD SOUNDING tube gear. not just so-so stuff like reworked ST70s :)
Soundlab Speakers. - can't say enough - unsurpassed, imo.
had to have them after hearing just one note)

Other outstanding products would buy but didn't.
Digital front end from DCS. Ive owned most of the bid name brands - Krell, Theta, Wadia, but DCS sent thing to a new level, imo.

Largest system from Meridian back in the late 1990s (would need to look up the name)- made the hair stand up on the back of my neck and arms.