How old are you?

69.5 years

My first system in 1962 included a Heathkit tape deck, amplifier, and AJ-10 tuner (stereo achieved by one channel on FM and the other on AM) built by father and me; a Garrard turntable (a rumbler), AR2 speakers (we finished).

Funny, my first system when I went away to college in 1971 was a Pacific Stereo $199 special that included a cool Lenco Swiss TT. Look what they are going for now rebuilt!

Time’s an illusion, dude...

That said, I built my first Dynakit in high school. 

no one young or female likes this stuff. It should tell us this is a dumb hobby. I like my dumb hobby but smart enough to know its dumb.

57 years

I bought my first system in 1981 a Harman Kardon PM680 integrated amp, visonik ambassador 120 speakers and thorens td320 turntable, still have and enjoy the turntable. I have gone through many amps and pre amps since.  I was fortunate to have a dad who like good equipment as youngest so always had music in my life.