"Best" 80's HiFi System

Motif MS50 or MS100 w/MC7 or MC8 preamp

cj MV50, MV75A1 w/ Premier 2/3 preamp or PV5

Perreaux PMF 2150/ SM2 pre

Superphon DM220 / Revelation Basic DM preamp

PS Audio 2C+ / IVH preamp

B&K ST140 / Pro 10 preamp

Moscode 300 / Minuet/Minuet in A preamp

Counterpoint SA8/12/20 w/ SA7, SA3, SA5 preamp

Berning EA230 or EA2100 w/TF10 preamp

VSP Labs TransMos 150 amp / Straightwire II preamp

Acoustat TNT 120/TNT 200 w/TNP preamp

For Speakers:  Vandersteen 2C, Thiel CS2 and many others will land you in the 80’s.

I thought my system from the 80s was pretty nice. 
 

Goldmund Studio table
Goldmund T3F tonearm
Koetsu cartridge (can't remember which one)

Spectral CD player

Audio Research SP10 Preamp

Krell MDA-300 monoblocks

Duntech Sovereign speakers. 

Also had a Cello Audio Palette. 

Nothing says the eighties like a full complement of ReVox gear. This is a stack that I restored and put together for fun a few years back. Sold all of it off except the B77 reel machine. Also built a full Pioneer Spec stack, but that’s seventies. As far as linear trackers go, the ReVox was good, but a Technics SL-10 was better, had a pile of those I refurbished and moved on. Bonus points if you can find the rare cast aluminum feet/stands that hold it at an angle.

My ReVox stack

Pioneer Spec stack

Technics SL-10 pile

High end

Cello Baby all the way around Electronics and Speakers w Micro Seik FG 1500 and Nakamichi Dragon deck

Mid to high end

VPI

Nakamichi Dragon

Kimber Cable

Yamaha separates

SARA Speakers

Oracle turntable with SME arm

Dynavector Ruby cartridge

Luxman 1120A receiver

Spender BC 1 monitors with original stands

Nakamichi Dragon cassette

I could still listen to this system and enjoy it immensely.