What was your first "hi-end" component ?

[Ds2000]

A Denon DCD-3300 in 1988. This one changed my mind about digital, and in what I expected sound quality wise in a component. I was 18.

[EfeTe]

Hardly hi end, but for me it started with a McIntosh D100.

[oddeophile]

Back when CJ was in their beginnings in 1970’s their first preamp.

[Karl Maga]

I held out until 2014, at 52 yrs old - B&W 800D2’s.

[tdh888]

My first high end product was given to me by my Dad for getting good grades during Med school . It was back in 1985 , the Michell GyroDec Mark 1 w/ the Odyssey RP1-XG tonearm w/ a Koetsu Black cartridge and an Entre ET100 MC Stepup transformer. Unfortunately during that time our electronics were not up to par w/ the new front end . We were using midfi equipment ( SAE 3000 preamp, Phase Linear Model 700C power amp and JBL L65 speakers )

[Sharp 1080]

It was an Audio Research SP5 that was sent back to ARC and upgraded to the SP7. 40 years later I still use their preamplifiers.

[FDPDK]

I think it must have been Mark Levinson ML 331 amplifier, unfortunately i did only pare it with an Audiolab pre which for sure did not make it sound the best. Although it was a huge step for me.

[MrG]

The date was Feb. 18th 1977 The invoice was for a pair of Klipsch Heresys, Philips GA212 turntable with a Sonus Silver "E" cartridge, Teac A2300SX RtR. $947.35
I'm looking at the invoice right now. When I got that home from W. Lafayette Ind. I hooked it up to a Harman Kardon 730. My life has never been the same since!
PS. Just last month I bought my original Heresys back from friends in Cincinnati.

[Karl Maga]

Originally Posted by MrG

...PS. Just last month I bought my original Heresys back from friends in Cincinnati.

That’s pretty cool!

[PHC1]

My very first high end component was a Monarchy Audio DAC in late 1990 bought pre-owned and trying to squeeze a bit more performance out of my mid-fi Denon system. Can't say it helped much but the spark towards better sound definitely ignited a life-long passion.