Rank the tweaks, geeks!

Power, interconnects, speaker and isolation.

Clean your contacts and treat your cables/cords w/ an anti-static. I like Kontak and Nordost Eco 3X.

1/ Townshend Podiums under my speakers.
2/ Ground boxes connected to my DAC and amp
3/ Power filtering (Isol-8 LC and Audioplan)

I don't count cables, the hi-fi stand and the room as tweaks. These are major parts of any system.

remove eyeglasses

Definitely an order of operations:

1) Get the room layout figured out. This includesacoustic treatment (rugs, wall, ceiling, furniture issues sorted), component location and speaker positions. Live and learn here. Exploit all possibilities. I've had to make compromises in the new house...so one of the things I do is throw a wool throw blanket over the flat screen on the side wall. I've also learned stacks of vinyl make great acoustic treatment themselves. 
 
2) Get dedicated lines after room layout. Last thing you want is to discover the best spot for the components after you've located the outlets on the wrong side of the room.

3) Everything else. This includes cable layout, component location, vibration control, cables etc.

Read increasing reviews of the sonic benefits of an audiophile Ethernet switch.
Last I checked the $4k Telegärtner m12 network switch was at the top of the heap. Fortunately, there are some new audiophile Ethernet switches more wallet friendly.

@kennyc - some time ago I got into a disagreement with (I actually forget now who it was) and it was over audiophile ethernet switches in fact.

It turns out he was very much correct about one major thing, using a high quality linear power supply with a reasonably well engineered switch will give optimum results and best bang for buck.

I put in the research, and discovered the other guy really knew his stuff. Humble pie was on the menu for me.
It's worthy of some due diligence.

Do I have to?

Absolutely the best tweak I’ve ever used is Debrox; it does more to improve audio reproduction than any thing else I’ve tried. You wouldn’t enjoy the sound of a filthy record; Debrox treats the last “device” in the audio chain, your ears. They are the A/B (analog to brain) converter, keep ‘em clean.

In the end I can't possibly rank, at one time or another I might have said any of the items you've mentioned as the most important. All links in chain are important, improving the weakest is entirely variable within one's system at any single point in time. This is the essence of evolving our systems.

@kennyc 
@djones51 

Thanks. I need to google "managed switch" because...I am ignorant.

At this point, I'm filing away this information about ethernet switches. From my understanding, and given my system's situation, there are too many other more important things to do to improve the sound.

This is *exactly* why a ranked list is valuable to me -- when a new option comes along (e.g. ethernet switch) I can look at my other options and know what else to do first. 

There are those who claim to hear improvement without using basic controls for bias, everything we hear can be measured. If you want to spend money on a switch get a managed switch and set your streamer for priority. 

@hilde45

Don’t fully understand the stuff about Cisco switch; have been using wifi rather than ethernet cable because I’ve read that ethernet cables are susceptible in real ways

Read increasing reviews of the sonic benefits of an audiophile Ethernet switch. 
Last I checked the $4k Telegärtner m12 network switch was at the top of the heap. Fortunately, there are some new audiophile Ethernet switches more wallet friendly.

To further lower noise there are optical isolation options for both Ethernet and interconnects. A 2019 list of Ethernet switches: https://www.stereonet.com/forums/topic/298457-ethernet-switches-for-audio-part-a-list-of-switches-re...
A sceptic review who thinks it’s a placebo:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/do-audiophile-network-switches-make-a-dif...
But there are many who hear improvements and not everything we hear is measurable with current science.

There’s also Uptone EtherRegen and audiophile Ethernet cables.

I haven’t yet decided how far I want to go down this $ rabbit hole.

Anyone who chooses what to do first has implicitly ranked, unless they’re acting at random.
Anyone who makes a checklist has to choose what to do on it, first.
Let's not quibble. Rankings, taken to an extreme, are quixotic, a waste of time.
But we all agree to do the bigger stuff, first. Nuff said.

kennyc-

Too much effort to rank, and for me it’s better only as a checklist as what one needs to address (or not) in their own system. 

Waste of time to rank. To know what needs attention, different story. 

Everything needs attention. Every tiny little thing. For example, take just one thing: the speaker. Tweaks that will improve a speaker. 
Vibration control: Put on springs, Pods, Bars, or Podiums. TA-102 fO.q tape: use on the basket, as a mounting gasket, between mounting screws and driver, on the crossover board, on the caps. Put crossover on springs or Pods. Move crossover outboard. 

Field control: contact cleaners and enhancers, NPS1260 (TC if you have it, and count yourself lucky if you do!), move crossover outboard. 

Acoustic control: Synergistic HFT Speaker Kit.  

Again, this is just the tweaks we can do on the speaker itself.   

This same approach applies across the board. A lot of these same things work just as well inside an amp or phono stage or preamp or DAC.   

Once you get the hang of this the opportunities are endless. My system is about as tweaked as you will find. Yet I have way more ideas for improvement than time to do them in.

i have hardly any experience with most of the tweaks mentioned, but can say that putting herbies mats on my technics tightened up the bottom on a lot of my bass-heavy records. the trade off was having to spin the platter back from the side to cue - with a felt mat i could just put my hand in the center of the record and adjust it that way. i'm not really much of a dj anymore so it was a worthwhile tweak to me for everyday listening

I ripped apart the tranquility Base to see what was inside it. 🥸😱😂🤹🎪

Mind games I tell you. 

The best tweak is to learn what to listen FOR. Last night my soul touched the soul of Miles Davis. It was a glorious experience.

On bitter coffee: Get into home-roasting. You will not believe what you’ve been missing, and just how good coffee can be.

Here’s the site: www.sweetmarias.com

PM me if you want info on buying home-roasting equipment.

Frank

Hear hear jpwarren. Oh, and by the way -- just learned that adding a little salt to coffee before brewing helps  neutralize the bitterness (it blocks certain taste buds).

The greatest tweak is determining what you can hear.  (can we train our ears to hear better? at any age? not so sure) Don't let peer experience and/or purchase bias enter into the equation. My best tweak is a grain of salt.  Also avoid audio compulsive disease....never stopping to enjoy the music. I am open to learning but I am content with my destination whether in the car or in front of my "best" system. 

@duckworp Thanks for your detailed and descriptive list. I recently upgraded my speaker cable. My DAC cord is decent but not great. I need to install dedicated electrical lines before doing much more with power cord trials. My AP Crystal interconnects really advanced the sound for me.

Don't fully understand the stuff about Cisco switch; have been using wifi rather than ethernet cable because I've read that ethernet cables are susceptible in real ways. I don't really understand #10. I have a comcast/xfinity router within a few feet of my streamer. Are you suggesting different kind of cord here or some larger scale change.

Thanks again for your answers. Good to know that writing up a ranked list is a rational think to ask.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W0s4wZHy-g

This procedure even more explicit 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2te2rUxeGs

Here is a similar process

A few members have recommended cleaning ears.
Well a proper ear cleaning can only be conducted in a hospital or similar.
Ear syringing is ineffective.
I had a proper ear cleaning done a couple of years ago, by a .specialised.
I watched the whole procedure via a video display .
The equipment used is a probe with various miniature  tools and a camera- It is inserted into the ear cavity and extracts -In my case at least 60 years of wax , dirt and hair build up! The specialist cut , jetted ,vacuumed and  snipped inside my ear canal , removing large chunks of hard wax -Ugh . I could smell the stuff as it was flushed out!
Finally he broke through endless muck -just like a tunneling machine , to reveal a pristine ear drum. 
The process cost 3000 Baht for both ears - about $US 100.
At the time , I considered the best money spent on anything ever  .It was that good.
As a comparison in audio perception improvement -Lets just say , from a $500 DAC to a $5000 DAC . 

@hilde45

Which of the tweaks on your list were most important to deal with first?

I'm probably an atypical audiophile.  After 5 years of research I'm nearly finished completing my bucket list high-end analog/digital audio chain hoping to land somewhere mid-fi (couldn't think of another term).  Awaiting funds to purchase speakers and cables.  So I'm addressing all the non-tube tweaks simultaneously.  

interconnects, speaker wires, power cords for all components, top three in that order. When you use isolation it is only desirable for a springy turntable. I only change the caps when they need it. I only would go for vintage fuses because the high priced fuses do not sound any better. As far as risers and dampers i can say that risers are just a problem if you have unshielded wire and as for dampers it depends on the tube gear in question.

@kennyc Which of the tweaks on your list were most important to deal with first?

+1 @millercarbon

Yes, impossible. Impossible to rank these.

Too much effort to rank, and for me it’s better only as a checklist as what one needs to address (or not) in their own system.

terry9++ just wish I had more '05 red Burgs

speaker isolation: Nobsound weight bearing limit is 80lb per quad. What springs for 140 lb. speakers? 8 Nobs under each speaker feels a little fussy.

Great thread.
In ranked order:
1. Speaker Cable. Townshend F1 Fractal and to a lesser extent HFC CT1-E cable were so far above anything else.
2. Power cord to DAC. Not any power cord. Only the Shunyata Alpha EF did the business. Others had minimal effects.
3. Speaker Isolation. On my B&W 804D Gaia feet were transformational. With my Boenicke speakers they have a bespoke ’swingbase’ which isolates the speaker in a similar fashion.
4. Adding a CAD GC1 and 3 - a grounding device, one for signal ground, the other for electrical.
5. Rack isolation using Townshend Seismic corners. These isolate the whole rack, making it ’float’, and mean individual component isolation is not necessary.
6. Power cord for my integrated amp. Again the Shunyata made the difference, others much less so.
7. Interconnects. Actually only one - all sounded identical except Townshend F1 Fractal, same as my speaker wire. There is something magical about the F1 loom.
8. Adding a Cisco switch between the router and bridge.
9. USB cable connecting the Roon endpoint to the DAC.
10. Changing from ethernet cable to an optical network (definitely not WiFi)
11. The type of Ethernet cable between optical switch and roon endpoint cable
12. Power cable to the active bass subs in my speakers.

Things that made no difference for me:
- cable risers
- the type of cable between my amp (pre-out) and the active bass units in the speakers
- the Ethernet cables from the router to the first switch

Well dealing with room acoustics is all about tweaking starting with choice of speakers and then where to put them exactly and whatever else follows from there to get a handle on things initially. I would agree to put that one on top of the list. Right up there with clean ears.

My list doesn't exactly follow the Op's list (my apologies, but then, I never have followed the rules) but the improvement I experienced when each was implemented was significant enough to warrant a mention.

Most important tweak in my opinion, though probably not an actual tweak is dealing with room acoustics. I dealt with mine electronically instead of acoustically because of cost, floor space and WAF. I do plan to explore acoustic options in the future.

The next biggest improvement was when I switched to fully balanced operation. The improvement in tone, dynamics and system noise was completely unexpected.

This doesn't fall into the tweak category either but the improvement was significant enough that I feel it needs to be mentioned, adding an active crossover between subs and mains. The difference in clarity and tightness in the low end was rather eye opening

Time aligning the subs and mains added even more clarity, space between instruments and improved imaging.

My last tweak is actually on the Op's list, component isolation. I haven't done extensive isolation and because of my penchant for loud, bass driven music the isolation platform under my TT is more of a necessity than a tweak. Other components I have used minimal isolation on so far are my subs and amps. I also have plans to explore isolation under my other components and improve the isolation under the subs and amps. 

While upgrading componets ( external and internal ) generally give you better or more pleasing sound . Two tweeks that suprised me were replacing the weight on my Rega RB300 tonearm to an Expressimo that lowered the center of weight and replacing a PS Audio power outlet to
an AudioQuest NRG edison ( does this count as " electrical " ? ) .
One I tried didn't like were tube dampers .

raulwebster Piped in at 3.45 am Zero Gravity chair and cannabis. I’ll assume both were in use. Late night dude!

Raulwebster’s comment hit me like the proverbial ton of bricks. I’m taking about the chair. Spot on. My chair is so-so. 

Also would like a class trip to the Millercarbon joint. Like wow. 

Ive tried a bunch and you truly want to hear a differance and possibly its a placebo effect but the two tweeks I done and without a doubt knew it was better was changing out the patch cable 5e from my Router/gateway to my streamer Node2I to a Linkup Cat8 22guage for $34. then I would say I did notice an improvment when I made a DIY Mogami speaker cable it definitely had a more refined sound and I want to say the IFI acPurifier does help outside of that I had high hopes for others like iso acoustics solation pads , interconnects and a few others and it didn't really blow my skirt up. Im a huge believer in putting some money in the source streamer- upstream , Garbage in Garbage out . Im thinking about getting liner power supplies for my router and my streamer now and possibly a galvanic isolator for the ethernet  , maybe something was wrong with my old 5e patch all along who knows , Im moving on. 1 absolute must is acoustics , I wrapped my entire room with a track curtain that has sound deadening material and that without a doubt is the best thing you can do to remove echos and get more detail from your current setup. 

Zero Gravity chair and weed

I have a tube buffer passive preamp and upgraded to Mundorf oil caps.  Really like the sound.

Amp, preamp, streamer, DAC all have twisted pair power cords.  

Ethernet cable to streamer

Meticulous speaker placement.

Next up is isolation.  I can't afford Townsend podiums for speakers.  Isoacoustics, Herbie's are being considered.

My take: 

speaker wires..
went from tempo electric solid core silver to SR atmosphere x level 3 on my Martin Logans and it chilled out the highs, reducing fatigue and opening up the stage..

speaker isolation…
added isoacoustic Gaia feet to my logans.. it helped define the bass notes on strings as well as cleaning up and separating notes as well

interconnects..
went from full loom of tempo Electric silver rca to SR xlrs with ground cables on all. This lowered the noise floor as well as added more separation and depth, mostly on live recordings 

cable risers
n/a

component isolation..
Added SR tranquility bases and pods to preamp, dac, server, amp, and even under my turntable. The turntable is also on a symposium ultra platform. They all helped but ill say that while the symposium stand allows me to hear my table as it should be, the most shocking improvement was the tranquility pod under the table. I aslo have the SR record mat and weight and pht on the table and i feel like the pod supercharged those.. 

tube dampers
did not care for them 

power cords for amps
i have em, cant really remember much except lower noise floor

power cords for preamps
same as amps

power cords for other compnents
I had a bluesound in my system and added a nice wireworld cable and it made a noticeable difference 
better capacitors (where?)
n/a
better fuses (where?)
i put seven or eight in my magtech amp and  it is a ridiculously amazing change 

From pauly689
1. Component isolation,
2. speaker isolation,
3. power cords for power amps.
My thoughts exactly. These three tweeks have shocked me as to the improvements they made in making my system so much more engaging. Tried as hard as I could through cable swaps to rid my system of the sibilance/ringing.  Isolation eliminated it. Even though many say tackle speaker Isolation first, the component isolation made a more significant improvement in my system. The right match of power cords to my amps added life into the sound. I echo another previous comment, in that our current components have a lot me to give though these tweeks. 

No doubt clean ears are a must in all cases. Very fundamental.  You have to tend to that that first before getting down and dirty anywhere else with tweaks.  

I would also add my vote for all component isolation including not just the electronics but the stands and the speakers as well.

Seriously, resistors and capacitors. Nude Vishay resistors are my taste.  MIT styrene and tin (RTX) caps are good if you can't design for air gap or vacuum.

The '05 Burgundies are beginning to mature. Now that's a tweek!

Clean your ears and turn off the light. It's free!

If I were to start from scratch, I’d start with

1. Component isolation,
2. speaker isolation,
3. power cords for power amps.

@artemus
Great tweaks — perhaps a sub-topic: best *cheap* tweaks!

@earlflynn "Search bar." Er, good one. I'm not asking to look something up, I'm asking people to report out their experiences. This is a *discussion* forum and I'm starting a *discussion.*

@stuartk and a couple others — some platforms etc. are on my list, too. @antigrunge -- looking into those items, especially on EMI/RFI.

@calvin Thanks! And what a great list and the detail is so helpful. Lots to try, there.

@mc

Yes, impossible. Impossible to rank these. For the simple reason it is impossible even to say what it is this list means.

Happy to hear people phrase things in any verbiage that tickles them, seem appropriate, and approach it in any way that makes it possible. Your list is most helpful. You listed things from least to most expensive. Is this also a list from least to most *impact*? Imagine you were giving someone advice, and they said, "Bro, I can spring for just two tweaks now and then I have to lay off for a while." Your first two items on the list would comprise your reply to them, I'm assuming.

@nonoise — gotcha. Speaker cables are part of the system, not a tweak. Perhaps part of an "upgrade" but not a tweak. Fair correction. Thanks for the rest of your list.

@mglik Fair point, accepted.

Go nuts over speaker placement.  Fine tune positioning to a fault. Regularly unplug & re-plug all connections.   Keep the stylus & cantilever clean.  Give your stuff time to warm up.

I don’t consider cables a tweak. Rather they are a main component.

Without question, a great tweak was an Ohio Class SRA platform under my TT. It was like this sophisticated complex piece of gear was finally able to perform as designed.
And a recent innovation in my system is QSA light blue fuses in my mono blocks. They bring presence and structure to the music turning good to great sound into great gripping sound.
I am so impressed that I have ordered the next up yellow.
And certainly good power is central. Having Shunyata Triton/Typhon combination was a major lift. Hard to say which tweak is actually the best.

In terms of efficiency, I‘d rank anything contributing to eliminating EMI/RFI highest. So: passive filters (Acoustic Revive, Akiko et.al.) followed by contact enhancers (Acoustic Revive, Mad Scientist et.al.) followed by cables (Phono, USB, Server, Dac and Preamp power cables in that sequence).On USB specifically: Intona Isolator

If you feel like spending lots of money: Bybee Golden Goddess speaker and RCA between pre and power amp, they really make a big difference once you got the front end sorted.

In terms of isolation: speakers first (Symposium or Townshend), tube dampers (EAT, Duende Criatura) Black Ravioli under components.

Love the idea of this thread but I must take exception to listing cables as tweaks as I feel speaker cables can be of an order greater than ICs and PCs, putting them in the category of a component.

   Having said that, component isolation was of greater importance than I would have imagined. Think focus and clarity.
   Power conditioning as well. Think lower noise floor and correspondingly better see thru with increased air, ambience and detail retrieval.
   Fuses can completely flavor the sound. 
   PCs can expand the soundstage, add clarity and improve dynamics.
   ICs can do the same as well as increase but on a higher scale.
   Cable risers were a big surprise for me. Going from 2", to 6" to 8" all saw improvements that leave me still scratching my head. One would think just a couple of inches would suffice but the higher up, the better the improvement.

All the best,
Nonoise