Your first system and your journey...


Since we are on a audiophile (or is that audio-pile) site many, if not most, have had some decent systems.  I would enjoy in hearing from all/any about what your first system was made up of.  Mine was a Dynaco, I think something like a 35, tube integrated with some small British two way speakers and a BSR McDonald turntable with something like a 44E Shure cartridge , ...and yes, lamp cord for wires and whatever came on the turntable.  It is almost sad to say I have spent much more on some interconnects than that first system cost. 
whatjd
Large Advents played through A Marantz integrated amp and a Garrard Zero 100 turntable, which replaced my GE console, and purchased from the original Magnolia Hi Fi in Seattle when it was a small store in the Magnolia district and sold cameras and small appliances.
I also had one of those suitcase stereos by GE. Toke it apart and built a wood console to stuff it all together. Looked good! Than someone brought over the latest Beatles album Sgt Peppers. I thought something was wrong with the unit! Different sounds coming out of different speakers. Lovely sound.  Next day toke it all apart and built new speaker cases and a base for the turntable. Ordered a Heathkit FM only reciever. I haven't stopped messing with my  systems. It's a great hobby. 
My first system back in the 70s I had a Scott Vacuum tube integrated amp
Laffeyette tuner Technics directdrive turntable, Audio technica cartridge,Nachamichi 505 3 head cassette deck, Audioquest cabling, and Raw Klipsch Heresey speakers i hand stained and French waxed, back then 1inch thick  plywood cabinet.It took me months to save for all of these, the turntable I got 1st,the tuner was a birthday gift .great memories,to m6 friends this was high end ,and sounded dam good .
It’s funny thinking back,I have spent more then my house on Audio. 

1969, I was 14, had a part time job with a guy that delivered bleach and laundry supplies to houses, restaurants and hotels. I bought a Lloyds am/fm receiver with a built in cassette player at Kmart, I believe it set me back $79 and I thought I had died and gone to heaven. It's been a labour of love ever since.
1964 Sears suit case with drop down turntable and 1 detachable speaker, came one xmas eve.  Put a record on for sleepy time. Turned the volume all the way down and that ceramic stylus was loud enough.  1968, Navy gave me a chance to visit building A33 in Yokosuka, bought a small Pioneer rcvr., Pioneer speakers, Dual 1019 with a Shure floating stylus(only made for one year, stylus easily broke) and Panasonic RTR.  Have yet to stop upgrading.