Work with what you got...

I have enjoyed listening to music as far back as I can remember. Growing up, I was surrounded by music and musicians.

My father played the guitar and sang in bands throughout my childhood. He raised me on the likes of The Beatles, Steely Dan, Dire Straits, The Birds, Crosby, Stills and Nash (and sometimes Young) and a whole lot of Tom Petty. My father’s audio gear didn’t change a whole lot over the years. Through much of the 80’s, he used Pioneer speakers and a Kenwood KA-305 (I still have his original the KA-305). Then, in the late 80’s through early 90’s, his setup was a pair of ESS PS1020’s and A JVC AX R551 Receiver (which I also inherited). Unfortunately, I didn’t hold on to that equipment, and that is a regret to be discussed at another time.

As a kid, I also had my share of tape players, boom boxes, Walkman’s and portable CD players that ranging from RCA, Panasonic, Sony, Sanyo.... the list could go on. I remember listening to Elton John and Queen on my Fisher Price record player. I listened to Duran Duran’s Rio and U2’s War on my little one speaker portable tape recorder. I still think about endless hours of perusing my father’s record, tape and CD collections. I recall the feeling I had hearing Bullet the Blue Sky or In the Air Tonight for the first time. The elation and provoked emotions of many first time listens sit forever in me.

Sometimes, I listened on a “crummy” tape recorder and other times I listened through my father’s (regretfully gone) ESS speakers.

Fast forwarding to today...

I find myself in a bit of a nostalgic place in my life, I have been musing on vintage audio gear, wanting back some of the gear of my childhood.

My wife is an avid thrift store shopper and often finds and flips items. Much of these items end up sticking around way longer than I would like.

Nonetheless, she finds some amazing deals.

Occasionally, I will make the rounds with her to some of her favorite thrift store haunts.

I usually gravitate towards the vinyl and cd’s, looking for something to add to my collection.

Rewinding the tape a bit for context, a week earlier, a friend of mine asked if I would like a set of JBL speakers. I said, “of course.” I hadn’t had a “system” in quite some time now that streaming and Apple devices have taken over. After picking up the speakers, I figured I need some more gear. (Famous last words right!)

So it began—what some in the music gear world would call G.A.S.: “gear acquisition syndrome.”

Alright. Now we’re back at the thrift store.

After thumbing through all the records and cd’s, I decided to peruse through the electronics section. My eyes were drawn to a name plate on a piece of audio gear. “

Does that say Marantz!?! $15!?!” I thought. My

adrenaline started flowing... I got to test this! Where’s a plug? Now, mind you, this is not a coveted Marantz receiver or turntable.

It’s a 5 disc carousel CD player...

Finding a plug, I fumbled to plug in the Marantz and pulled out one of the CD’s I had found earlier. I pressed the power button and there was power! I checked to see if the tray would open. Yes, it opened! Ok... I dropped in the CD and pressed the close button. “Please work! Pressing play!” I thought. And, it read the CD!

I kid you not! I followed my wife around the store the rest of our time there cuddling that Marantz 5 disc CD player like a child holds teddy bear. I found a thing! Look!

Needless to say, I quite enjoy the hunt now. Before, I sometimes dreaded accompanying my wife on her thrift store adventures. Sorry honey! (Whispers) She looks at everything in the store... Love you honey! (Loudly).

Work with what you can find...

Well, then I needed a receiver/integrated amp.

I wondered about finding amps on Facebook market place?

I needed something with enough watts to push the JBL’s. These aren’t L100’s (One day maybe).

The JBL’s my friend had given me were older Northridge Stage Venue series: Two towers and a 10” powered sub. They were not bad speakers, just not L100’s...

While swiping through listings on Facebook, I came across a pioneer elite series receiver.

I think I may have paid $50-60 dollars for it. “

It’s a surround receiver, but maybe I can turn off the surround speaker outputs as not to damage the receiver?” I thought to myself. Sure enough, after hooking up to a tv to program the thing... with some annoyance... I got the Pioneer all set. I

hooked up the JBL’s and the Marantz; and there it was—that feeling! Being enveloped by the sound, goosebumps, emotion...

I enjoyed listening to my music collection again. I heard the details, the quality and sometimes lack of quality of some recordings. Mind you, maybe not the way some would argue can be experienced through a $100,000 rig; but nonetheless, this was a wonderful experience.

That same thing I experienced as a kid: I was just enjoying the music.

What does all this have to do with working with what you got?

Well, the gear isn’t what necessarily makes the audiophile. For me, it starts with the music the artist creates. We don’t necessarily like Bob Dylan for his singing voice (although I do because I believe every word he’s singing is genuine). We like Dylan for the emotion, the musicianship, the poetry, and the songwriting. It’s the way his songs makes us feel. There is also other factors, like the production of a recording. The dynamics, panning, the arrangements... the combination of all these factors are a potent mix of wondrous stimulation for the ears and the mind; but the words and conviction in the voice of the singer is what moves the soul.

Although, there are times I nerd out and listen with a more critical ear (like when I hear a cough in the recording on a Ralph Towner live album that sounds like it’s in the room with me; or I can hear how real the applause sounds; or the breath of a saxophonist in a big band). But right down to the basics, there is a symbiotic relationship between gear and the music and you can enjoy the art in both. The design aspect of some gear I find stunning; other gear brings a certain warmth; or dynamic to the overall sound. At the end of the day, gear is nothing without the music. (Now I’ve gotten too philosophical)

Work within your budget...

“But my system could sound better... be better, higher quality... more more....”

I may not own McIntosh power amps or own a $12,000 turntable. I covet much of the high end gear out there with all the mojo and magic that can make some recordings feel like you are right there when it was being performed. But simply, I can’t afford it. So, I go the route of thrift and restore. I do keep my eyes peeled for those “too good to be true” finds.

I recently picked up a pair of Boston Acoustics A200 for $10. Then, I dropped about $150 to restore them, as they needed the tweeters replaced, new bases built and some finish work. They love Jazz, Classical, and more vocal classic rock/folk.

In trying to make this more cohesive.

It all started with enjoying the music, which led me to enjoying the gear and enjoying music even more...

We buy, sell, and trade gear throughout our audio journey . Isn’t it a grand adventure! Finding gear that works for you (or even works at all) is fun; yet, it can turn into an obsession at times. I think I’m preaching to myself when I say, “work with what you got on your way to what you want.” Enjoy the journey and most of all the music!