What would you save in a fire?

I have a completely different take on it. First, I’m very sorry to hear about your experience with the fire. What a catastrophe. However, I’ve been lived in Southern California, and had to evacuate quickly in the past, I’ve learned that the only thing I would take are those things that are irreplaceable. Stereo equipment is not one of them unfortunately as important as it is to my life. That’s what insurance is for instead, I will grab my server which has all my

work documents, my important personal documents, all my photos, and most important, my entire music collection. I would take my pets. If I had any time left after that, I would probably grab my old wine, which would be difficult to replace.. I currently live in Miami, and with hurricanes, I would just cover all my equipment with trash bags and plastic, and make sure everything is insured. My record collection from college is potentially valuable, but bulky and probably difficult to save. Other Momentos from my career as a lawyer and famous clients and that sort of thing I would probably also grab. Bottom line is my rule of thumb is take the things you can’t replace leave the rest.

Well perhaps California can makes things quick and easy to rebuild. Somehow I doubt this will be the case. The whole purpose of "the blame game" is to bring to the forefront which mistakes were made and then to come up with a solution to avoid future catastrophe. Negative connotations are only used in association with this game when your side is being attacked.

The turntable was a personal triumph and that’s the only real reason I saved it. The records though are so much more important to me than most things. Not one or two or ten, but the whole thing. It’s almost existential. Those are my memories, stories, keepsakes, and thousands of them have profound meaningful attachment. “I am a DJ, I am what play.”

I would save items that are essential for existence first.  My audio gear would be lower on my list.  Clothes, any non perishable food, water if any available.

I can always buy a new system once I get situated

....sorry does not seem like the right word here and it no doubt stinks. But you got out with the most valuable possession .....your life ! Call it a win !