Where did you buy your first audio gear?

When I was in law school, living in a cheap apartment in the early 1980s, there was an electronics store that sold used stuff. I bought an Aiwa tape deck and a cheap reel to reel. I was an aspiring musician playing in a band and writing music. I used it to record songs I was writing and would bounce tracks back and forth between the tape deck and the reel to reel. Also used the cassette deck as a master from a PA System to do a "studio" recording (I call it more of a "psuedio" recording) of songs we were playing.

The original (pre-Best Buy) Magnolia HiFi in Seattle and Bellevue. 

Manufacturer's Marketplace in West Roxbury MA.    Great store, had the best close out deals.   I purchased many things there in my early teens.   My first CD player , a Sony CDP 101 was purchased there.   Bought my first receiver there , JVC RX44.  

Star Audio/Video Mobile, AL. Sony ES cd player and matching receiver (1988).

 

Went to college in 1980 with a suitcase, hockey bag, 4 sticks & a clock radio - everyone had Marantz this, Pioneer that, AR, Advent & Kenwood... I was so envious of these other kids and their setups. Fast forward 2yrs. I left school for opportunities in Europe. Came home the spring of '83, walked into Tech HiFi in Saugus, Mass with a pocket full of cash. Left with JBL, 4311s, Crown PL2 and SL2 power & pre, SAE 180 EQ and a Denon, DP35F w/Micro Acoustics 3002 cart. I dropped everything I came home with in that one shot, lol - I was 22yo. Been on the wheel ever since