Your first component that was "special"

For me it was the ESS AMT-1 speakers with the Heil tweeter, along with a Marantz 2245 receiver and Garrard turntable.

First thing I bought out of my own hard earned money was the Vandersteen 2CE Sig. II and the McIntosh C2300 tube preamp.

Mine was a J.A. Michell Focus One turntable and a  Unipivot tonearm. It was 1980. Had a Spectro Acoustics 217 Pre Amp, Spectro Acoustics equalizer and Tuner along with a Adcom amp and Clarke Systems Presidents speakers.

I could say my Stax SR-40 electret head phones. My first amazing transducer, Shure V15 III notwithstanding. Circa 1980. Still enjoying them.
Or the Linn Basik I bought last year that re-infected me with the stereo bug and introduced me to vintage bargain hunting.
But, truth be told, it was a small sample of really good pot that an old biker gave me as a tip in 1969. When I got home I went out on the roof and smoked some. Nothing. Climbed back in the window and put Led Zepelin (1) on my Magnavox portable record player.  http://https//s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/94/64/29/946429236679894d29bfd5254d2332aa.jpg

Half way through "Good Times Bad Times" something happened that changed my relationship with Rock 'n Roll forever! I took the removable speakers off the Maggie ;^) and used them like head phones. What a memory!

The original Vandersteen 5 speakers with the external crossover, purchased second-hand from a friend. Revelatory!