It wasn't an impulse buy. Listening to music had always been a big part of my life - cassette player, poor quality turntable and radio.

My first major purchase after starting work was a Technics Class A amplifier, tuner, turntable and graphic equalizer (who remembers those?), to which I added the CD player in 1983. I also bought an excellent pair of headphones so as not to drive my parents mad, but potentially wreck my hearing in years to come.

The stereo is still in use. I've replaced the CD player two or three times, and bought a second identical 'vintage' amplifier. I have a custom built jarrah and oregon CD cabinet (thanks to my husband) which is full to the brim.

I haven't succumbed to streaming. I'm a bit of a troglodyte in many aspects of my life - preferring the old ways to the new.