What were some of your early Hi-End audio gear/influences?

Ohm speakers (early 80's). Also the Yamaha B1 amplifier. Both of those opened my eyes to sound quality I never heard before. They are long gone now as I've traveled the audiophile road of upgrades (LOL kind of)

Not long ago I bought a pair of mint New Large Advents - with the bullnose cabinet. You might be surprised how well these fare when paired with some modern ancillaries. I prefer them over many modern designs, upwards of $3K. They handily outperform most $1500 speakers in the current retail market. 

My passion began around 1989 with a modest pair of Yamaha full range speakers with big 12” woofers, a modest Yamaha stereo amp and a Sony CD Player that I begged my dad for and he saved for months to get me for my birthday (we were a blue collar family and this was a huge expense). I carried that rig to college, to NY for my first job and back to Atlanta for my second job before upgrading them. I am sure they would hurt my ears today, but they still sound amazing in my memory and remind me of my dad to this day. 

Oh I forgot the DQ-10's.
They were pretty sweet.
Unfortunately, I had no money then...
B

When I graduated High School in June 1971, most of my friends bought motorcycles with their graduation money.  I didn't, I bought a Sansui 30wpc receiver, Rectilinear 1a speakers, Garrard turntable with a Shure MM cartridge, and a Sony Dolby B cassette recorder.  This was Sony's first Dolby B   cassette deck.  Since then I have spent way upwards of 6 figures on my audio addiction spanning 50 years.  Thankfully, I am extremely happy now and do not have any desire to do any major changes.  I may still futz with interconnects a bit but that is only  if I see a real good deal here.