Fortunately, enjoying music, movies, and TV shows through disc andvinyl mediumsis having a bit of a comeback these days, which means it pays to know the how, where, and when of getting your hands on these components and setting the gear up. There’s also something irreplaceable about holding a new album in your hands, or a special edition re-release of a film you love, and once I started collecting again, it struck me how much I missed this part of the watching and listening experience.
To give my new and old physical media some solid legs to stand on, I decided to invest in a relatively inexpensive hi-fi system that consists of two speakers, an amplifier, and a record player. This is still a setup I frequently use, and it wasn’t overly difficult to put all the pieces together. Here are some ways you can go about building your own physical media lair.
Choose Your Audio Hardware
For my budget-friendly hi-fi setup, I went with a pair ofKlipsch R-41M bookshelf speakersand a set of floor stands. I also purchased a Sony STR-DH190 Stereo Receiver and anAudio-Technica AT-LP60XBT turntable, a workhorse of a player that’s inexpensive and great for beginners and beyond. As for Blu-ray, DVD, and CD playback, I was able to blow the dust off mySony UBP-X700M, a roughly $220 player you’re able to still purchase brand-new. I also bought an external DAC, just in case I wanted to route TV audio through the system. All in all, I spent between $750 and $800 when all was said and done.
During the initial stages of pricing out your setup, two of the most important questions to ask yourself are, “What do I want now, and what do I want down the line?” If you want to get audio into every room of your multi-level home, a two-channel amplifier with a couple of RCA inputs isn’t going to cut it. This household would be much better served by a dual or triple-zone AV receiver, with maybe even a speaker selector. And if you plan on looping in TVs, cable boxes, game systems, etc., you’ll want to make sure the receiver has HDMI switching.
Passive speakers (like my Klipsch R-41 set) are the typical choice for most standard amplifiers, but depending on your audio needs, you may only need a powered speaker with RCA and digital hookups for external devices.
It pays to ask yourself what you can do without, too. For instance, a dedicated CD player might cost around $100, but that Blu-ray player you haven’t used since you bought it five years ago will likely play CDs. You’ll also want to ensure you’re leaving enough room in your budget for wires and any other accessories you’ll need to get everything up and running.
Sony STR-DH190
The Sony STR-DH190 isn’t perfect, but it’s got all the features you’ll need for listening to music on a great set of speakers, including Bluetooth and a phono input for plugging in your turntable.
Go Digging for CDs and Vinyl
With the hardware sorted out, it’s time to focus on the physical media that gets pushed through these AV components. Whether you’ve got a trove of existing CDs to listen to or you’re going to start a record collection for the first time, getting your mitts on discs and LPs is a little more challenging than it was 10 years ago, and it can becheaper than streaming service subscriptions, too.
Fortunately, record players and vinyl are just mainstream enough for stores like Best Buy and Walmart to stock them. For more independent releases and bigger inventories, though, you may be better off shopping at indie record stores or online. If you live even remotely close to a metropolitan area, I’m willing to bet you’re in close proximity to at least one boutique record outlet (which may also sell CDs, Blu-rays, DVDs, and video games).
Sites likeDiscogsare another great way to track down and purchase the rare must-have albums you can’t seem to find anywhere else. It’s also worth checking for the rare stuff on eBay, too.
Display Your Precious Trophies
You’ve gone through all the trouble of obtaining this handsome trove of physical media, so don’t skimp on the flaunting. One of the best parts of being an AV collector is displaying your rarities for your friends to see. A TV-friendly entertainment center may be all you need, but if you’re investing in a lot of analog gear, you may want to consider an AV rack you can place next to your TV stand.
If you’re primarily dealing with a record collection, you can find furniture designed specifically for safely displaying your vinyl. You can also get really crafty and mount some display-shelving that turns your Brian WilsonAt My Pianorecord (RIP) into a living room showpiece.
For me personally, I went with a small record player stand with built-in storage, and placed this small piece of furniture right next to my tabletop TV. All of my Blu-rays, DVDs, and video games are stored inside the entertainment center.
ThreeHio Record Player Stand
This multi-tier record player stand from ThreeHio is a budget-friendly piece of furniture that won’t take up too much space. It also provides plenty of storage for a small to medium-sized vinyl collection and other equipment and decor.
You could even go with an actual wall-mounted shelf or two, and if you want to add some style, install LED light strips wherever you want because nothing screams, “Look at this thing I bought!” like literal illumination. Plus, it makes your setup look extra cool.
Oh, and don’t forget about movie and TV show posters, paintings, photos, and the occasional cardboard cutout. Sites likeMoviePoster.comand limited-edition retailers likeMondoare great places to shop for this type of memorabilia.
There’s no denying the ease and convenience of firing up Netflix or Spotify, but nostalgia is a powerful beast that doesn’t care about our wallets. And with physical media taking on more of a sepia tinge as the years fly by, it can be hard to keep our focus on the tech we used to love. But if you’re feeling a little “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times,” dropping the needle on one of your favorite records is one heck of a way to cure the blues.
