My first stereo was my favorite. I read Stereo Review and haunted the stereo shops in my town. I really wanted a Kenwood integrated amp, a Technics turntable, and a pair of Infinity bookshelf speakers.
I worked all spring and summer saving every cent. Finally, I had what I thought I would need to get the system. I went to the shop one of my friends said could help me and I told them what I wanted. The sales dude asked me what I liked to listen to, how loud, and was I willing to listen to stuff I might like better.
That day I ended up walking out with a layaway receipt, and two months later I finally took home my first system.
Quad 33 preamp, FM3 tuner, 303 amp.
Connoisseur belt drive turntable with a Goldring cartridge.
KEF Corelli speakers with generic stands.
That system taught me how to listen to the music.