In my first system, in 1973, my favorite piece and still is to this day, the Marantz 2270 receiver. I sold it to a friend to pursue a path for a much greater system. I wish that I still had that receiver. It was gem.
My all time greatest and most fond memories of past components was my stack of Accuphase components. A T-100 tuner, C-200 preamp, and two of the P-300 power amps. Active dividing network for large Infinity RS-2.5 speakers and a Micro Seiki DDX-1000 turntable with Micro Seiki MA-505 tonearm and Ortofon MC-20 cartridge going through a Luxman SUT. For the age of just 25 that was one hell of a system. Everyone wanted to party at my house. But really, those Accuphase components were the "special" products for me. I still remember that sound signature, very fondly.