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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?   
128x128three_easy_payments
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 

danvignau
I have a pal who spent at least hundreds on turntable tweaks. His TT and cartridge are crap, IMHO. In fact, the very prominent piano intro at the beginning of Zappa’s Uncle Remus, nearly disappears on his system. No tweak helps. DOH!

>>>>It kind of helps if you know what you’re doing.
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,196 posts
 
No pills needed at all,
Eating carrot treat your eyes,
Eating some fish will do,
If you eat too much meat...

No recipe will do,
if you do no more poo,
Choose good habit, exercise,
And measure each idea,

With your beating heart....
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,196 posts
 
It kind of helps if you know what you’re doing.
Very well said and better than all my posts....


 Thanks   :)
jg2077
159 posts
 
I know my previous post isn't as clear as I intended...what if your components bias has drifted and requires a mild tune up and we are trying to band-aid something with a "tweak".


best,
Jose
newbee
4,775 posts
 
Funny thing about my experience with 'tweaks' (which I consider to be outboard stuff which are add on's, not primary equipment such as cables, interconnects, etc).  I could most always hear a change but, as time passed, not so much. I eventually forgot to reinstall them when changing stuff and am presently using only one. A Loki tone control to help tune some upper mid range glare in CD's, etc. Sort of turned into an agnostic about this issue.

Three-easy-payments, fundamentally I agree with you, and, IMHO, much of the 'tweaks' controversy is driven by folks with financial interest.
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