Set-up is the way a sound system is put together. You can buy a turntable, amp and speakers, plonk them down, connect up the wires and with luck it will play your music. But there is a lot to be said for setting up the system in such a way that it will deliver optimum performance. In fact if you are buying decent equipment, it would be crazy not to take a little time in placing and connecting them in such a way that you get the maximum sound quality.

This guide is designed to let newcomers and old hands optimise their sound system’s performance and was written by someone who has spent far too long doing just that with a wide range of audio components. It should help you understand both the basics and the finer points of the reasonably scientific sometimes artful and occasionally arcane pursuit of great sound so that your music sounds as good as it can.