speaker placement and system match is the best tweak to my system, then after market power cords like Shunyata brass spikes under subs and speaker stands, my speakers already came with stillpoints for the path stands, other than that i think the rest is snake oil. |
A shout out for PWB Electronics, you know, all those things that go bump in the night and give audiophiles the heebie jeebies. The unspeakables. Peter Belt RIP.
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Any, and all of the Audio Magic products. It began for me with the fuses. I now use AM’s Pulse Gen ZX’s, Blue Dot Disruptor, ac Power Outlet, Mini-Ref power conditioner, and Speaker Clarifiers. Every time I added one of the Audio Magic products my system improved. I highly recommend the AM PEA devices! I’m using three now, which have literally exploded my system’s soundstage, recreation of air, and greatly improved the natural tonality of all instruments, vocals included. Everything just sounds more real. You can’t go wrong. |
hifiJones......Very true....and for many aging enthusiasts on these pages, it would be hearing aids.
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They all change the sound.....its up to the listener to determine if it's better or worse.
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@2channel8: You are definitely on the right track. I'd add ear wax softener and a bulb syringe to your recommendation; used at regular intervals, maybe 5-6 times a year. You'll be amazed at the improvement in your auditory prowess...
Vibrapods are excellent at isolation and vibration control and cheap too. |
The Best result from a tweak in my system was from Mana Acoustics stands for Naim SBL speakers!
Dedicated 20amp powerline from the breaker to the System saves you the troubles of unplugging the fridge and all computers and light dimmers while listening.
Shakti Stones, M'pingo dots, green markers and Black Holes for CDs, i tried them all: they make life Fun! ;-) |
@jmccl12 those mirage speakers don't look too power hungry or difficult to drive, so I think you're probably fine with 14awg, but the only way to truly know is to try. |
Room treatment is huge! Hardwood floors are very reflective of sound. Area rugs are a great help, as you've discovered.
I have some windows to figure out. Too much resonance and ringing, but I hate curtains... |
my other best new tweak is to unplug my streamer when listening to CD or LP |
just put a big rug in my listening room and somewhat shocked at the improvements...did not do it for sonic reasons either...just got lucky |
Thanks to all who have responded since I advocated for safety.
To toddverrone, Good point, that is what I thought that a few inches in height would not make that much difference. I could even try those 2"x 2" squares that have a cork center and hard rubber top and bottom which have rails running across them. I used them before on components and they seem to make some difference, especially with my CD player. I bought them on line from an industrial parts company that offered them in different sizes. They were inexpensive, like $1.50-$2.00 per square depending on size. Unfortunately, I lost the company's web address when my computer crashed about 1 year ago. Vendors like Elusive Discs sells them but they are about six bucks per item. When I upgraded to separates recently, I used what I had for the pre-amp, instead of the CD which sounds a bit different without them The player is an Ayre CX-7e mp and is fairly heavy at 35 lbs. Nevertheless, it still needs some vibration control under it. I will have to check out the Stillpoints items (recommended by member, "Zorro") but I know they are expensive. Nordost's new "Kort" metal vibration pucks are too expensive. Audio Prism makes some vibration control items that look good and are not too expensive. Music Direct offers them. Tweakdom is a very crowned field and results can be spotty Thanks, SJ |
I learned about cable value by borrowing 4 pairs of increasing expensive Audioquest interconnects from my local audio dealer. I found the quality of the whole sound/presentation improved at each level. Today I have more expensive cables than I could afford to buy in post 2008. I only wish I could afford the Tara Labs Zero, or at least try them in comparison to some really expensive cables.
Vincent Raptor |
Three additional tweaks are
a) cryo-treating cables and equipment
b) footers from Anvilturntables
c) replacing amp binding posts (or iec ac inlets) with silver or rhodium plated pieces
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I have tried numerous tweaks in the many, many years that I have been into this hobby (obsession?). Some have, IMHO, had little effect on sonics (like a green felt pen to coat the rim of CDs) while other have led to much more benefit. My most recent tweaks were replacing stock fuses in my system with Synergistic Research Black fuses. Amazing and unanticipated improvement in soundstage and detail. Tube rolling can also be an effective tweak. Also, consider replacing cables (interconnect, speaker, and power). I have also fooled around with footers (not a fetish) but have heard only minimal improvements in sonics. Try to audition tweaks before committing to purchasing. Enjoy! |
Well badass for me. They're a 12g belden wire with silver connectors |
Ok, so let me ask the obvious stupid question. I know that resistance in electricity is big. The less resistance the better more usable current. I have 14g ordinary radio shack speaker wire run to all my klipsch surrounds and rear surrounds and my mirage os3 fs towers and mirage os center. Would I REALLY notice a difference upgrading those cables? 14g shouldn't have too much resistance coming from an Emotiva xpa3 and xpa5 right? But i do have custom badass interconnects
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If you are using a computer to a DAC for digital, try a USB Disruptor and the accompanying USB cable, only around $170 for both. Sounds better than my $500 USB cable. Lower noise floor and can listen to for much longer periods without fatigue. Also sounds better than the Uptone Regen and much much better than an AQ Jitterbug. |
A visit to the ENT (Ear doctor) and Audiologist (hearing tester). |
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Stillpoints Ultra 5's, Ultra SS and the minis under components and speakers. Amazing!!! |
Another +vote for Power Cords.
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High Fidelity MC O5s, simple to use, just plug them in and be amazed
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@sunnyjim you may as well try the isolation platforms under the speakers and see how they sound to you! It should be easy enough to tell by looking, though, if the added height will be a problem in terms of tweeter height. But a couple of inches shouldn't matter I would think |
Let's be honest, you don't hate to judge, hastily or not. |
No audiophile has ever been electrocuted whilst cleaning outlets, even those who employed Brillo pads, coat hangers, conductive grease or silver paste, even those who declined or overlooked turning off the power at the breaker box a priori. Even when slopping the goop on in globs. The hand-wringing is touching but save the drama for yo mama. I hate to judge too hastily but I suspect none of the hand-wringers has ever cleaned his wall outlets.
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Thanks todd, sunnyjim, and falcon. I was starting to feel a bit lonely.
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No "In Memoriam" category but perhaps we can establish a benefactor category where those who clean their electrical outlets without turning off the power first could bequeath their systems to other members. I would be happy to be the bequeathee!
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OK. let's make sure, based on the last 10 responses or so, that nobody fries themselves by becoming a human electrical conduit.
Audiogon does not have an official " In Memoriam" category S.J. |
The $15 Ikea butcher-block cutting board under floor standing speakers. |
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Now you're being ridiculous. And argumentative. |
Geoff, you would have to be cleaning ONE outlet, the hot one, with a material that becomes conductive, for one reason or another; e.g. wet with perspiration. That and a path to ground, no matter how elusive or invisible.
And Geoff, I did not insult you nor your intelligence, so pray do not insult mine. There is no need for that.
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Terry9
"One does NOT need to touch both hot and neutral to get a shock. All that is required is an electrical path from hot to ground. That can happen innumerable ways: damp floor, kid spilling his drink, or any other innocent means of being in contact with a grounded object while cleaning."
You would have to be cleaning the outlets with a conductive material to get shocked. Hint: do not use a coat hanger or similar item to clean your contacts. Tell your kid not to stick his fingers in both holes at the same time.
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One does NOT need to touch both hot and neutral to get a shock. All that is required is an electrical path from hot to ground. That can happen innumerable ways: damp floor, kid spilling his drink, or any other innocent means of being in contact with a grounded object while cleaning.
Oh, and did you ever think of your kid emulating what daddy does? There is 2 horsepower hiding behind every receptacle, waiting to get loose.
I stand by my posts. PLEASE disconnect at the panel. |
Nitwit convention in progress. Please stand by. Randi is apparently applying the conductive fluid with his fingers.
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Caig makes a good cleaner and a liquid polymer that is conductive
Don't waste money on spendy interconnects but gold plated ends are worthwhile.
ARC puts dampers on their tubes so you should too; turntables & cartridges would be best in another room if you cannot isolate them from surface vibrations as well as airborne vibrations.
Add that to what todd said above and ignore the trolls |
Actually you would have to touch both Hot and Neutral at the same time with a CONDUCTOR. That would be pretty stupid, no? Audiophiles aren’t that stupid, are they?
@geoffkait I was thinking of the pebbles with the 'special crystal structure' that you tape or place on cables and components. It's a bag of rocks from a roadside attraction anywhere in the southwest...
You were thinking? I thought I smelled something burning.
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I dislike the idea of editing to prevent people from hurting themselves. Geoff did say not to clean hot and neutral at the same time. Which is fair warning.
But if a bunch of us say it's foolproof safety to turn off the circuit, which it is, then anyone reading this can decide how to proceed.
@geoffkait I was thinking of the pebbles with the 'special crystal structure' that you tape or place on cables and components. It's a bag of rocks from a roadside attraction anywhere in the southwest... |
@geoffkait "I never turned off the power prior to cleaning outlets and am fine. I mean except for a slight twitch."
Bad advice, Geoff, in my opinion.
Perhaps you know enough to do that kind of thing with some safety, but not everyone does. I suggest you withdraw that. |
A bunch of fish lines hanging from the ceiling? I think I'll stick with risers. |
perfectpathtech wrote,
"Buy a bag of child proof outlet plugs roughly $5 for a big bag. Plug every unused outlet opening through out the house, not just your sound room. This prevents EMI, RFI from entering the electrical system, the reduction in back round noise is anything but subtle."
The last time I checked RFI/EMI can pass quite freely through plastic and glass, which is actually why your cell phone works inside your house. I guess this is probably the placebo effect that’s anything but subtle in this case.
perfectpathtech wrote,
"One more cheap but highly effective tweak suspend all cabling with fish line from the ceiling, most effective in minimizing cable vibration, cable risers do not even come close in performance!"
Gosh, has someone actually been paying attention to my posts? Heavens to Murgatroyd! |
Buy a bag of child proof outlet plugs roughly $5 for a big bag. Plug every unused outlet opening through out the house, not just your sound room. This prevents EMI, RFI from entering the electrical system, the reduction in back round noise is anything but subtle. One more cheap but highly effective tweak suspend all cabling with fish line from the ceiling, most effective in minimizing cable vibration, cable risers do not even come close in performance!
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toddverrone
Physics definitely supports vibration control. Particularly for tube components and turntables.
Physics also supports vibration control for solid state components.
toddverrone
Some tweaks, though.. Jeez. I can’t believe people purchase these things. They make some of the stuff the new agers buy look like quantum physics.
Care to give some examples of these tweaks you can't believe people purchase? |
terry9
@geoffkait
Make sure you turn off the power at the breaker box before you clean the outlets. PLEASE !
I never turned off the power prior to cleaning outlets and am fine. I mean except for a slight twitch. :-) Do not clean both HOT and NEUTRAL simultaneously. PLEASE !
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@geoffkait
Make sure you turn off the power at the breaker box before you clean the outlets. PLEASE !
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Let’s not forget to clean all non-audio connections and outlets, too. In every room, too. You know, computer, fridge, TV, floor lamps, you name it. Good Housekeeping 101.
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Clean all of your cable terminations, including power cords with a good cleaner of your choice.
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Acoustic resonators ASI and Shun Mook have a rough idea on how it works but it certainly provides audible improvements. Making your own resonators does the job too.
Alan maher designs his QPI's 0hz, Cbf's and fuse wraps. Amazing improvements for any system, he has a good description on how it is applied and what it does.
Footers to name a few Herbie’s, sort kones, Mooks and Harmonics these are system dependent and based on how the vibrations in your system are acting up. |
