Tweaks That Don't Work

Two tweaks that did not work FOR ME (I'm sure many of you found them to work for for you, so take it easy):

1. Shakti Stones--tried them on my Forsell transport, without effect, and on the transformers of my Jadis JA 80 amplifiers, negative effect, actually made the sound a little harsher. Had the same result on the Jadis with a VPI Magic Brick, guess the Jadis doesn't like tweaks around its output tranny. At least the Brick worked positively on a solid state amp of mine, the Sonogy.

2. Shun Mook discs--a gentleman put them on my Forsell transport (which, by the way, seems to be more affected by tweaks than any piece in my system) in a number of different configurations, and was stunned when I couldn't hear any difference one way or another (for those of you who like blind testing, I wasn't watching what he was doing while listening). Guess I didn't know what to listen for.

And then there's the Shun Mook record clamp, which I can't tell you did or didn't make a sonic difference, because at the end of the first record side my cartridge (then the wide-bodied original Transfiguration) bumped against the wide clamp with such a horrible noise through my speakers that I promptly gave it back to the guy who loaned it to me with a polite no thanks.

None of these tweaks are necessarily snake oil, but in the applications I mention they just didn't seem to work for me.

Lugnut made some very relevant comments, and I'll make only one addition: I think that one's ability to judge the improvements made by tweaks decreases as one gets older, due to diminishing ability to hear high frequencies. I have noticed over the past 10 years (I'm 62 now) that some changes to my system, including tweaks, are barely noticeable, and may just be different rather than better.

That said, there are two tweaks which I have found to have made no detectable change/improvement in my system (and thus may be equipment dependent):
1. replacement Hubbell-grade electric outlets;
2. after-market power cords (AudioQuest) for my Bryston electronics.
Other forum members may have experienced different results than I, but your mileage may vary and I'm sticking to my version..

This could be an intriguing thread...

Scott C-

Jkring is right. This is a hobby for most of us. It is enjoyable and safer than sky-diving. At the end of the day, when all is said and done... it is just a stereo. A better stereo than the one from Wal-Mart or Best Buy but still just a stereo.

For those who really think jars of rocks "work" I have some really big jars and some beachfront property for sale.

Have fun and enjoy the hobby.

I had the ELCO Static 10 or 15 or something or other power cord. It was as thick as a boa constrictor. It had no effect on my system either positive or negative. I have plenty to say about tweaks that DID work if anyone is interested in a thread like that. For instance, I've yet to hear a Blackgate cap or Tantalum resistor I didn't like. I also can't explain why CD's polished on the Nitty Gritty CD cleaner always sound a bit more open and natural?

All: "snake oil" was a terrible choice of words on my part. I was going in the direction of the subsequent language in my post about tweaks that didn't work in your system, or only worked under certain conditions. You guys are absolutely right - just because something didn't work in your system doesn't make it "snake oil".

My assumption was most of the tweaks mentioned would, over a series of posts, show a pattern of conditions where the tweak has or has not worked. That would make for a great guide for others considering which tweaks to try down the road.

I posed the question but didn't add my own list! Mine aren't so much "tweaks" as "accessories". Here's the list:

Basic Powercords - tried it for both amp and preamp, and heard no difference in my system.

LAT International AC-2 PCs: I currently run these to my amp and preamp. I'm not sure I've heard any difference at all, because I made too many changes in my system in a short period of time, but I remain a skeptic that power cords make any difference sonically.

LAT International SS-1000D speaker cable: I hear *very* little, if any difference between these and my Kimber 4PR speaker cables. This surprised me, since the LAT cable is much thicket gauge than the Kimber. I thought treble would be more laid back and the bass tighter and stronger, but that doesn't seem to be the case at all. So I'm still looking for speaker cable to tame the highs on my nOrh mini 9.0's (which use the Vifa Scanspeak 9700 tweeter). I'm thinking of trying the 8TC next, since by all accounts it does what I expected the LAT to do.

Fine tuning shelves: My component racks have wood shelves that sit on four brass cones which attach to screws that come from the frame. I have spent hours trying to ensure each shelf is a perfect plane with no wobbling, and on the rare occasion I actually achieve my goal, I hear no sonic difference. This makes me a skeptic of isolation devices like cones and pods, but since they're cheap and I'm a sucker I'll try them anyway. :)

I've tried several tweaks that I thought worked, which I'll post later in the thread someone else started about cheap tweaks that work well. That thread, I believe, started in 2001 and is still getting new posts! Good stuff. :)