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Tweaks - An Honest Discussion

I know there is a lot of talk about performance tweaks in this forum and the value that can be realized.  I've started this thread because it seems that folks tend towards believing they are either the silver bullet to sonic bliss or conversely simply snake oil.  I believe tweaks are somewhere in between and in most cases, worth about what you pay for (crazy  I know).

I'm open minded to tweaks and have employed many in my system over the years including isolation, fuses, footers, HFTs, cabling, cable risers and attempts at reducing RFI (among others).  While I believe that many of these tweaks incrementally helped me get better performance out of my system I never for a second found any tweak make a transformational difference the way that a significantly upgraded piece of gear brings to the table.  I think many of us have been quite happy with our systems over the years but that doesn't mean implementing a tweak can possibly compete with the benefit of replacing a piece of gear that is well matched to elevate your system. Just because you're happy with your setup doesn't mean a major gear change can't really elevate the experience - surely well beyond any form of tweakery.  

As an example, I've been very happy with a Hana ML cart and how it's performed in my system.  I recently decided to acquire a Lyra Kleos cart - for a $2K increase the change has been transformational in terms of dynamic range and ability to convey detail and imaging.  There has never been a dot I've placed on a wall, carbon platform placed under gear, or RFI shielding device I've ever used that could possibly come close to this equipment upgrade.  Same goes for upgrades to my system over the years in terms of amps, pre's, and speakers.  For anyone to suggest that through tweaks alone you can elevate your system to a level that only gear changes can achieve simply falls flat in my experience.  Some may be shocked to hear that most of the time a $200 tweak truly only gets you about $200 worth of improvement (if any) and not the equivalent of a $5000 gear upgrade. I know there is a certain allure that by simply being smart and applying elbow grease that we can extend the sonic limits of our system well beyond it's design, parts, and capabilities but that's just not true IMO.

What's your experience been?   
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f1status1's avatar
f1status1
30 posts
 
I was skeptical about a  USB cable changing the sound. It did noticeably.  I doubted power cables would make a difference. Wow was I wrong.
 Coming from the skeptic side, even though I knew signal cable and speaker cables made a difference, it certainly wasn’t psychoacoustic effect since I did not expect an improvement. I have not made a tweek yet that’s hasn’t been a noticeable improvement. My next step is quartz plinths for the amps and shortening the speaker cable. I don’t expect a difference from this, just mostly aesthetic reasons.
Next on the list is vibration control. I’m on a suspended wood floor and it vibrates. I can feel my components vibrate and I’d like to address this area next.  Would you suggest plinths under the speakers? Feet or cone brand to try?
I will try sorbothane feet on the pre, DAC and amps next. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. 
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,197 posts
 
I will try sorbothane feet on the pre, DAC and amps next. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Low cost and efficient.... try a sandwich of quartz feet , very small one, on top granite plate, sorbothane duro 70 on top, another granite plateon top, on top a cork plate, on top a bamboo plate, sorbothane duro 70 under the speakers.... If you can load the speakers with some load on top it will be better... ( 60 pounds for me on each speakers)

All in all that cost me under 100 dollars....My speakers are on the same desk than my computer and dac and amplifier.... They are relatively big Mission Cyrus 781 speakers with great bass.... at any volume with one finger on my desk I sens no vibrations at all.... There is some but under my finger capacity to sense them.... Resonance vibration controls is 20% of S. Q. ….30% is electrical grid controls and filtering...%0 % is acoustical treatment active and passive...

There is another possibilities a quartz sand wooden box under the speakers will do....


oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
4,867 posts
 
f1status1 ....

I have a raised wood floor too. The solution was to buy a pair of unfinished maple platforms from Mapleshade. Spike the platforms through the carpet, then spike the speakers to the platforms.

Here’s what you would be looking for:

https://shop.mapleshadestore.com/Ready-To-Be-Finished-Maple-Platforms_p_16.html

You will get a much-improved sound from top to bottom, and the bass will be much more defined.

Mapleshade sells the spikes too.

By the way, I tried granite as suggested above, and while the midrange and top-end improved, the bass was almost nonexistent.  Go with the Mapleshade platforms.

Frank
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,197 posts
 
I am sure that oregonpapa solution is also very good and simpler....The price is doubled tough.... :)

Pick the one you feel the best for you....


My salutation to you oregonpapa…

By the way, I tried granite as suggested above, and while the midrange and top-end improved, the bass was almost nonexistent.
.Granite plates must not be directly under the speakers I used them to stabilise on top of the quartz feet and to put sorbothane between them to decouple and couple with all these different materials: bamboo, cork quartz sorbothane, granit…. My bass is clear and astonishing....I even disconnect my subwoofer and use it no more....
 if money is no problem try Ebony wood also
But my desk is not a floor.... Try oregonpapa method it is also more esthetical....


technick
140 posts
 
@tvad  Oh man, did I just laugh! 
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