Your first component that was "special"

CAT SL 1 Reference Mk2 with phono.  Bought it preowned in1994 sold it 2015. performed purrrrrrfectly never an issue during our time together. At the time, a truly eye opening, and yes ear opening magical piece

That would be a pair of Fried Beta Signature series satellite speakers with a Fried "The Subwoofer" back in 85. At that time they were a true revelation compared to what I was using and a major step into this crazy hobby for me.

I still have them boxed up in storage and every once in a great while hook them up just for fun. Sure they are rolled off on the top end due to the cone tweeter but they are musical and that is an attribute I value.

Yamaha NS1000M speakers, had them for over 30 years. Sold them 2 years ago for, effectively, more than I paid for them originally. Even so, I regret selling them. Similar story with my Quad 44 pre-amp and 606 Mk2 power amp. Did not sell these for anything like what I paid for them originally. I regret selling them.

My first was a Dynaco stereo 70. Started a love affair with tubes that i have till this day
Alan

I will never get over my ARC SP6. I had been running mid-fi until then. Started the madness. Had that unit through B and C mods. Like my 65 Mustang, I should have never sold it.