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Is it possible to have too much/too many filters/tweaks?

Hi All,

So, we all know there are endless tweaks available to enhance our systems and get us that much closer to our audio nirvana. I have personally come across a few that are actual difference makers. But it got me thinking, is it possible that too many tweaks are actually counterproductive to what we are aiming for? For example, my main system (double duty for listening/HT) I have everything (except my 5-channel power amp) plugged into a Furman Elite 20PFi conditioner. In addition, I have a Puron AC plugged into my Furman (this one actually blew me away at how drastically it reduced background noise-legit), I also have a whole house surge protector. I have also installed an iFi Lan iSilencer between my TP-Link Powerline Ethernet Adapter and streamer. In addition, I have an ADD Powr Symphony between my streamer and DAC (another legit difference maker).

Now I just came across the iFi iPurifier 2 and was thinking of pulling the trigger. Then it occurs to me, is it possible to have too many filters/tweaks that it actually taints/diminishes the sound? How far/how much is too much, is there such a thing? Thoughts?

kingbr
kingbr OP
327 posts
 

Thanks for the awesome replies! Great great, insightful points all! I enjoyed reading every single one. Especially the ones referencing “spending more money” and “buying stuff”-still LOL on that one @mapman 😂

 

You know, it’s never ever that I’ve felt there was an issue or something didn’t sound right, it’s the disease of audiophilia, ‘could this gadget actually improve what I’m already hearing/loving’? So that’s what always tempts me. And in the cases of the Puron and the ADD Symphony, that would be an absolute YES!

 

But like I said originally, it just occurred to me that indeed @sgordon1 “is sometimes less is more in this case”…

 

Again loved all the responses. Thanks for taking the time to weigh in…

waytoomuchstuff's avatar
waytoomuchstuff
1,121 posts
 

So many tweaks. So little time.

I experimented with various hairstyles over the years, and their effect on sound quality. Shaggy hippy. Marine bootcamp. Full blown college professor (hair pulled back into a tight ponytail). I settled into the "astute businessman" style with hair just long enough to touch the top of the ears. Also found that all hair gels failed miserably.

Now with thinning hair, I’m on to testing ballcaps. Would highly recommend wearing the cap "out of phase" with the bill pointing to the rear.

jlbkmb1958
28 posts
 

KISS

dogearedaudio's avatar
dogearedaudio
142 posts
 

I agree with many of the comments that, yes, there can be too many tweaks.

I have a very dear friend who is constantly buying inexpensive "tweaks" that are supposed do a variety of things, from "blackening the background" to "widening the soundstage" and so on and so on. Often these things pile up and then he’ll call and say nothing sounds right, should he buy new speakers/amps/DAC etc. etc. I advise him to pull out all the tweaks, and he’ll say, "Oh, this sounds much better."

I also agree that you’re better off buying a better-made piece of equipment that doesn’t need a ton of tweaks to sound good. Anything from the power supply of an amplifier to the USB input of a DAC should be designed in such a way as to produce satisfactory results without a lot of junk surrounding it.

I’m generally agin power plants and conditioners and things like that, but with the increasing heat waves here in Southern Oregon, I’ve had to break down and buy a voltage regulator for my tube amplifiers. My wall voltage often drops to 114VAC in the summer and it really affects the amps’ performance. I got a Furman regulator which maintains the voltage at c. 120 volts. I found that it does more good than harm in my system so it has stayed in. Otherwise I really try to avoid a lot of add-ons.

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