your first system-

Well, my first audio device was a transistor radio purchased in 1960. I was 11 years old. My father co-signed for a loan at the JC Penneys store. 

Had to use my parents console stereo throughout Jr high and high school. 

First real system was purchased on Okinawa 1970, Pioneer 63DX speakers, Sansui AU555 Integrated, Dual 1219 TT with Shure V15 type II cartridge, Teac RtoR deck. Owned that system till 1982. Wasn't in possession of it over many of those years as I spent much time traveling trying to find myself. 

Late 80's.  Polk audio 5b speakers, Realistic tape deck and Kenwood receiver.  I quickly realized the speakers didn't sound as good as they did in the store, so I saved up and replaced the Kenwood with an NAD 3140 int. amp.   Now that's more like it and the journey continues to this day.

I started the hi fi audio journey back in the late 70s was my brother's system with a stack of Marantz pre/power/turner 3200/140/104 (or may be 105), a Technic DD TT and a pair of AR 11 or 12 speakers. My first system, Mac MC2505 amp (maybe MC2105 can't remember), Mac C26 preamp, B&O TX2 TT, Teac tape deck and a pair of Design Acoustics PS-10A speaker. I wish I have kept that pair of Mac!

What started my journey was an old table-top AM radio my uncle gave me at age 6 or so. One day I was listening to it and laying on my bed, I reached over to turn it up and pushed it off the night stand - I heard a breaking of glass and that was the end of my tube audio experience!

(moved on to buy two MCS systems, then Soundcraftsmen, McIntosh, and now most recently a full TAD Evolution system.)

At about 10 years of age I convinced my patents to get me an all-in-one stereo.  You know, the lid opens up to reveal a record player, the speakers fold out and you then lift them off of the hinges and about 8 feet of wire comes out of a small porthole in the speakers so you can spread them across the room, making for "stereo".

That started my journey.  In 1973 I bought my first real hi-fi system.  A Marantz 2270 receiver, a Philips GA-212 turntable, Stanton 681-EE cartridge, Koss Pro-4AA headphones, and a pair of 12" 3-way speakers (can't remember the name) that was a brand Altec bought in order to sell box speakers with a dome tweeter.  Each year I made a change, for instance, moving up to an Audio Technica AT-15SA cartridge, then a Soundcraftsman dual 12-band EQ.  This system lasted until 1978.  That's when I made a major step up by getting a full component system.  A big stack of Accuphase consisting of a T-100 tuner, C-200 preamp, P300 power amp, a B&O turntable with upgraded MMC-6000 CL cartridge, and McIntosh 12" 4-way speakers.  Two years later I added a second P-300 power amp and Infinity active X-over to drive a set of Infinity RS-2.5 speakers.  Then a Micro Seiki turntable and tonearm, Ortofon MC cartridge and Luxman SUT.  Everyone wanted to party at my  house!  I've been hooked ever since.  I put together a home theater system for while the kids were growing up.  Real hi-fi took a back seat for a good number of years.  Now, in retirement, I am building a higher resolution and very satisfying hi-fidelity music system.  Not yet complete but getting there.  And the journey in life continues...