TOD:
We had an okay, not great, Sears-variety console stereo and a couple of portable record players in the house. I first got exposed to decent component stuff by my first year college dorm roommate, who listened mostly on good headphones. I got my own set of headphones and loved listening to his records and reel to reel tapes.
When I moved into my first room away from the dorms the next year, I thrilled to going to one of the hi-fi/stereo stores in town and picking out my first set of components: Dual turntable, secondhand Lafayette tube amp, and a pair of AR speakers.
Higher end things, years later: Vandersteen 2c speakers, bought in 1988 and I still marvel at their sound. My upgraded AR turntable is a beauty, and I love the Pioneer reel to reel deck. I've accumulated a few other vintage pieces that need going over by a good tech person, some of which I'll keep and some I'll sell.
Moving into video, the Panasonic plasma is still a treasure (I only wish I'd had the presence of mind to get the largest one), and the Oppo Blu-ray player and Pioneer (lower end of the Elite line) receiver deliver the goods.