Well I will say, room acoustics. You'll be surprised to realize how good the improvement without changing any gears. Of course, the position of speakers plays a big part as well. :)
Has there been any inexpensive item that enhanced your system's sound?
For me it was an inexpensive power cord that was laying around for years, a Pangea AC9. I have it connected to my Yamaha A S2000. I've tried the stock cord on the Yamaha and then some of my other cords, (Wireworld, VH Flavor 4, Acronlink/Oyaide custom cord and a MAC). I've had lots of amps and integrated amps over the years, and this is the first time the Pangea contributed to making better sound. It surprised me because I had tossed it aside and forgot about it. Power cord performance is such a crap-shoot and dependent on so many other variables in the audio chain. Any inexpensive item you've come across that enhanced your system's sound?
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Perhaps the best inexpensive item was many years ago. It ws my first power cord upgrade. My first experience was with the Nordost Shiva. My local dealer called me and said that he had something special he wanted me to hear. So I went to the store. I ended up buying the Nordost Shiva power cord and using it on what used to be Rotel's flagship CD player, the RCD991AE. 20 bit, balanced ouputs (not fully balanced unfortunately) and adjustable dither. Even had a defeatable digital out. Immediate improvements in several areas. The music had better focus and soundstage. The bass, solid and tight. It also smoothed the top end. Great little investment. Still have the player and the power cord. The second cheap enhancement is the "Gutwire Notepad". Placed it over the transport of the Rotel. Also on top of preamp power supplies. I even used them on a second older system consisting of an all Audio Alchemy front end with interesting results. I've had a Notepad in my system since. N |
Before having dedicated line installed I changed my outlet to a Hubbell industrial grade receptacle. Results may very. My old one was aged and worn hardly held up an AC cord. But they were clean. Next I had dedicated line installed. The only sonic improvement I realize was when other appliances aren't in operation sharing the line. 2" maple block with spikes under amps. 4 lb bronze bar on top of disc player with cork fasted to the underside. It can be anything weighty to keep cost down, I just happen to have some raw metal around. Custom triple footer maple rack for sources and preamp (total cost $120) Good results can be had by changing preout/in loops to better quality RCA connectors. Even something that won't put a big dent in your wallet should net you an improvement. Blue Circle thingee line filters. Mogami wire Listen late at night and early morning. Clear out the area between your speakers also give them enough room to play in all other direction. Some room adjustments are free but net big results in terms of sound. |
Good mention on keeping switches clean. Even before crackles rear there ugly sound and become obvious some maintenance is a good idea. I bet they hinder sq even before the crackling starts, to a certain degree. Clean and lube is a good idea too, to shorten intervals. Has anyone realized a sonic improvement with those line pillars, hmm? I apologize the correct term for them is not on file, but they keep your lines from touching ground by suspending them a couple inches off the floor. Few search attempts lead me back here http://www.amazon.com/Holdup-Contractor-Suspenders-Patented-No-slip%C2%AE/dp/B0060KRJG2 I can see different types of flooring holding a certain amount of moisture and being a good conductor of electricity. Even dry flooring holding charges of static electricity. And depending on seasonal changes. Just a thought. It imagine it wouldn’t be difficult to fashion some up to avoid paying large chunks of money for them. I might have to do some experimenting. A little guidance never hurts http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/static_materials.htm#.VzX9mdQrKLp The question up top has me curious. Because I’ve witnessed first hand what different types of interference can do, subtle or seemingly non existent before hand. Foster yes they are great. Now if I can only find a few more deeply discounted. They have countless applications. Unless you have a good surface planer in your garage the BOOS boards are a good way to go. |
agriculturist84 posts05-13-2016 5:48pm"How best do you clean an AC outlet?" Deoxit and a pipe cleaner might work inside the receptacles. I highly recommend unhooking it first, or pulling corresponding fuse. Be sure nothing gets left behind that can cause an internal arc. Otherwise the 4th of July may come a little early. I would just replace it for some cheap insurance. Unless its one of those $100,000 units. I discovered another inexpensive trick. Dynamat-ing the internal sides of source covers. Avoid blocking vents. I can see some potential for improvement there. |
A lot of great feedback here. For me, the best "inexpensive" tweak that I made was buying Solid Tech Feet of Silence. They were recommended to me by a high end audio dealer who actually didn't carry them. He said they will have virtually the same performance characteristics no matter what surface I place them on. He was right- and the vibration reduction markedly improved the soundstage in my system. The better news was I was able to keep the rack I was using which I find aesthetically pleasing (high WAF) and fit my application well. So, I feel like I have the best of both worlds. Absolutely consider smartly placed room treatments. Even "free" ones can make a significant difference. Draping a thin tapestry over my flat screen behind my system cleaned up the musical presentation dramatically! $29! As someone wrote earlier, pay attention to first-reflection points. Power conditioner (the right power conditioner) and power cords also made a significant impact on my system. However, I would classify them as inexpensive tweaks. And don't forget why started down this path in the first place... for the love of music. Cheers! |
Thanks Meerzistar. I think replacing is the best thing as you are really suggesting I think. I did use Deoxit on all my AC cable connectors and that was a big help. But I have so far not tried to clean the wall socket receptacles. And listening to what you say I won't now. Trouble is I can't replace my receptacles in my rental apartment, so doing this may have to wait. |
In the late 90’s I purchased a Naim Wiremold power strip for $60.00. 9 heavy duty outlets wired in series connected by a busbar. Solid aluminum case. No lights, no fuses, no off/on button. Basically all power, no filter and a heavy duty captive grounded power cord. Approved by and endorsed by Naim Audio to be sold by Naim Audio distributors to be used with Naim gear. Non current limiting. Instructions were to plug the highest current draw closest to the power cord and work your way back through your system to the least. Amp, Preamp, CD, Dac....... best $60 bucks ever. They went out of sight for a gew years but AV Options.com carries newer higher performance versions along with Cryogenic properties. Additional power Cords can be purchased as well. If interested, Google Stereophile.com and search Naim Wiremold. N |
Original Magic Eraser for your stylus every now and then. Zerodust stylus cleaner. A correctly measured for height, Herbies washer under your lps. Machina Dynamica springs between your support structure and your favorite platform for any of your electronics. I've also found the Maestro outlets superior to the Porter Ports. Cleaning your electrical contacts. |
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I replaced the Pangea power cord that I praised earlier in this thread connected to my Yamaha integrated and connected another budget cord that I’ve owned for years, the iron lung jellyfish (a hospital grade cord). This cord made a huge difference to the liveliness, bass, prat, and detail of my speakers. Glad I pulled out this forgotten budget power cord. |
Funny acastos! I have tried most of the power cords I own on the Yamaha integrated. Thought the inexpensive Pangea sounded good. In the end, the sound of my speakers became veiled, lacked transparency and a sense of air in the music. I am shocked that the cheap iron lung jellyfish solved all of that. After years of owning audio systems, I learned some things that work are unexpected and there is no accounting for them. Synergy can sometimes surprise you. |
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Dedicated 20 amp dedicated circuit with a Porter Port. Speaker stands made by Resonant Woods. Large Oriental rug. The rug made the biggest difference followed by the speaker stands and then the outlet. I'm going to see if a new component stand made by Resonant Woods makes a difference but not until 2020. I'm picking up my 2019 purchase on Saturday and I'm done for the year. |
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