Know of a "Dirt Cheap" tweak?


I am looking for tweaks to improve the overall sound quality of my audio system. I recently purchased some TPC contact cleaner and it made a believer out of me. I noticed a signicant improvement, as if a veil was lifted my system sounded more clear and transparent. Bass got tighter too. Do you know of any cheap tweaks that have made a SIGNIFICANT improvement to the sound quality of your Hifi system...let us know... :-) Comments welcomed!
kasboot

This is pretty much a free tweak.  Put your audio equipment device or interconnects into the freezer for 2 hours.  Then move to the fridge for 1 hour (slow cool down).  Then take out and let it sit for at least 5 hours to allow any condensation to dry.  What this does is additionally solidify the solder points and allows for a closer/tighter electrical transference.  Since there is less resistance over the solder points, it can also allow some components of electronics to run slightly cooler.  I have found additional resolution and soundstage from this treatment.  Keep in mind that since you are changing the metallurgy of the components somewhat, you would want to burn in the electronics again for at least 20-30 hours before making any judgements on the sound quality.

Non-solder components like speaker cable can have a subtle improvement by extended freezing (like 3-4 days).  It's somewhat akin to a poor-man's cryo treatment.

Kasboot - here’s a few tweaks...

PHONO CARTRIDGE TWEAK:
I epoxied a brass plate to my Denon DL103 Cartridge. It increased the mass of the cartridge which improved the compliance match to the arm and resulted in superior performance - best $12.50 ever spent.


http://image99.net/blog/files/category-denon-dl-103.html

I probably wouldn’t try this on a real expensive cartridge - but the Denon is reasonably priced and i wouldn’t trade it for anything - so resale is not an issue.

However - I did the same thing with a Denon 103 rebuilt by Soundsmith and the performance improvement is incredible - again, I will not be selling this cart either :-)

ISOLATION FEET TWEAK:
I make my own isolation feet by epoxying a ball bearing to a washer, then add a layer of Sorbothane between the washer and the component foot - works great on the granite isolation plinth - cost about $20 for a set of 4

http://image99.net/blog/files/0915f27ce41639dc6e4bf13bff2cbcbb-24.html

ISOLATION PLINTH TWEAK
I make my own isolation plinth using a piece of MDF and some rubber drawer liner - but I just upgraded to a piece of granite in place of the MDF to improve the dynamics and looks - cost around $30 each

http://image99.net/blog/files/3b1e019ed6bce1eec35dad4636fd815c-25.html

OUTLET REPLACEMENT:
I use Pass and Seymour MRI grade outlets everywhere - they are affordable, clamp like a vice, non magnetic and extremely good at transferring power

http://www.takefiveaudio.com/categories/214-pass-seymour-cryo-treated-15a20a-wall-outlets

Just a few of the more "affordable tweaks" on my web site

Regards - Steve
It appears my decision not to offer Mr. Spock Ears prosthetics for audiophiles 25 years ago was somewhat premature.

😀