Gear Talk: My (Main) Setup

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I used to believe that sound didn’t matter all that much. The crinkles and pops give a record flavor, character, and a nostalgic aural experience. It wasn’t until I took the next step in collecting, upgrading my gear, that I finally understood what quality gear could do for your listening experience. Suddenly, those crinkles and pops, though still noticeable, are substantially reduced. Personally, I love being able to hear surface noise; it provides an authentic and unique sound, and that is what records are all about. Good gear perfectly balances clarity and authenticity, which is the main reason why I have spent so much time upgrading my setup and fine-tuning it to my tastes. I am still figuring out the technical aspects of stereo equipment, but I am comfortable with where I am at.

My first upgrade is the most noticeable one, my record player. I got the Fluance RT-80 on sale through their website a little over a year ago. I wanted a quality crafted player that would last a few years, produce a desirable sound, and appeal to me. I landed on this particular player because it was below my budget, includes a built-in pre-amp, features high quality parts that allow it to perform at a higher level, and it is a glossy piano black that blends modern and vintage aesthetics. At the time I purchased this player, Fluance only offered two different models, this one being the lower end one (the other featured a different finish, stylus, and turntable mat). I decided I didn’t need those extra features, and I am perfectly happy with my choice still to this day. It also launched me into a Fluance loyalty.

My next upgrade was ditching my Mackie CR-3 powered bookshelf speakers and opting in for using my grandma’s old stereo setup, which consists of a JVC RX-207 digital receiver and a JVC XL-V141 Compact Disc player. This allows me to add a CD player to my setup, which was a priority of mine. It also allows me to control EQ settings on my receiver by bypassing my player’s built in pre-amp and using the receiver’s amplifier; I can now adjust the bass, treble, and balance which further enhances my listening experience. These stereo components are from 1991, so they definitely aren’t “vintage” or top of the line, but they are perfect for what I use them for and am very happy with the pairing.

The next most noticeable upgrade when it comes to looks and sound are my speakers. I found 2 pairs of mint Fluance AV-F3 floor standing speakers on Facebook from the early 2000’s. I bought them onsite without hearing what they sounded like, which is a giant speaker no-no. I was confident in their sound, however, as I was impressed by my Fluance record player. I knew the Canadian company had been around for 20+ years and had excellent build quality and craftsmanship. I brought them home, hooked them up, and was blown away. They offer the perfect amount of high end and low end. I like distinguished highs, but it becomes unbearable without a balancing low end. This pair of speakers hits that balance head on. These speakers pack a mean punch, and I have not yet opened them up to their full potential. They are bi-wire and bi-amp compatible, though I do not utilize either of those options. I am incredibly happy with these speakers, and I am confident they will follow me to many of my future setups.

My newest addition to my setup is a minor detail, though important at times. Being cognizant of my family, I ordered a pair of Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones that I use when I don’t want to bother others with my music. These are studio monitoring headphones that are very popular amongst musicians and producers. These are an optional component, though every listener should have a pair. I plug them into my receiver directly, and they sound very clear. I have heard certain parts of records I never had before thanks to these headphones.

My last part of my setup are the nit-picky maintenance and miscellaneous items, such as cleaning supplies and record player tools. I use Kaiu cleaning products, which I have found to be of high quality and do the job well. I use a rubber (as opposed to felt) Fluance turntable mat, which helps reduce static and improves the sound of the record. I use a Riverstone Audio tonearm scale. The primary function of this is to ensure your tonearm is set at the appropriate tracking force, which will ultimately help preserve protect your records themselves.

I know this is a dry and boring post, but I thought it would maybe be helpful for those of you who want to upgrade gear or get some ideas of where to start. I know I relied on blog posts and forums when selecting the gear listed above. I fully endorse all of these products.

Cheers