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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
jkbtn
71 posts
 
sabai,

Could you post some photos that we can look at? I'd like to know how those copper beading cones are inserted in copper caps.
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jpmeurer2
7 posts
 
I have found that applying  black permanent marker ink to the outer edge of a CD improves the overall sonic quality (better than the blue-green Stoplight).
 
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 

jpmeurer2
I have found that applying black permanent marker ink to the outer edge of a CD improves the overall sonic quality (better than the blue-green Stoplight).

While I have to admit that’s it’s quite counter-intuitive, black is actually not the best choice for the outer edge and should never be used for the label itself. I think this use of the color black on the outer edge might possibly be an excellent example of expectation bias. On the other hand black should always be used for the inner lip of the CD. Green or blue green is the best all around color for the outer edge but there can be exceptions since the color of the CD influences the sound as well. Blue green happens to be the complementary color of red so one suspects it absorbs red scattered light. But wait! The CD laser is 780 nm - which is invisible! Whaaaaa? Then there’s the color purple, which is also an effective color for the outer edge, who knows why? I might as well mention a notable exception - the Mercury Living Presence classical CDs released in the 90s with those iconic black and white labels. Those CDs should get red ink on the outer edge. 


ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,512 posts
 

Here is what I posted many moons ago about my DIY HFT.

I used 1/8" copper end caps with a large copper cone from a company called "Hareline" inside. Hareline makes items for fishing lures and can be bought from Amazon.

The caps however, will need to be purchased from a plumbing house. Then just simply glue the cone inside the cap. The cone is a direct drop in. I used Elmer’s school glue to seal the cone inside the cap.

ozzy

sgordon1
441 posts
 
Ever experimented with double sided Scotch tape?

With clean hands, try a piece on the underside of a component, so that it is also in contact with the vibration control device.  Or between the original feet, and the shelf.  If you have removed the feet, place the tape
between the shelf and the bottom of the vibration control device.

Try this anywhere two pieces meet where electric current is not
present... supporting components, wall treatments, HFTs,
securing cd mats to cd platters...

I think the tape comes in different widths, and is usually available
at craft stores or online.
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