Tweaks you got rid of because they were not effective (enough)?


There are some audiophiles for whom cost is no object; they buy what they wish and every single tweak and gadget which promises to improve the sound. And the industry is all too happy to produce such tweaks -- often made of expensive materials with elaborate engineering explanations. Those who question the value of these tweaks are frequently accused of being "naysayers" who are either too ignorant or insensate to realize that "everything matters."

Of course, money spent one place cannot be spent elsewhere; expenditures on tweaks take the place of other more central factors affecting the sound. In some cases, those tweaks are worth it; you can hear the difference, and that $400 (or whatever) really could not have improved your speakers or sub or amp, etc.

So, the question here is simple: Which tweak have you tried which, after some experience and reflection, you realized was either *not* effective or not the most effective way to improve your system? 
128x128hilde45
@millerc and @twoleftears - thanks. I was really trying to avoid a much wider and contentious conversation by asking the question so narrowly,  and I appreciate the straightforwardness of those last two answers.
@mahgister,

Are you able to think?
:)


Good question, but a little naughty from someone with such a philosophical bent as yourself.


@oldhvymec,

Kinda like Bruce Lee’s book, that no one could understand, BUT HIM...


Isn’t that just one man’s journey into the unknown leaving behind a metaphysical mindmap for the benefit of not only those that may wish to follow but the author himself?

Of course, as usual, it’s a case of one person’s experiences and memories translated into words and then translated back again by another...

Things sometimes can and do get lost in translation just as often as at other times things may be found.


As for that question of whether a $500 system that’s been well set up and placed in a sympathetic room can sound as good as a $50,000 one that’s not - I think we all know the answer to that.

At least those of us who have been to as many shows as I have. Things may have improved lately with setup but cramped hotel rooms are usually not the best place to demo new products.

Hi-Fi equipment selection, setup and room interface matters - a lot.
My first reaction to, "embedment"  wasn't exactly positive.     Since; I've adjusted my thinking.      Some simply communicate their thoughts differently.      As many of us understand (sometimes, from decades of experience); what are being termed such, are prerequisites for any good music venue's viability.      In a properly, "embedded" home environment; the better the associated gear, the more obvious and efficacious any tweaks should become.     That's- IF, from the start, they are worth their weight in salt and compatible.    I'm referring to performance, since aural acuity varies greatly.     KUDOS, to those that experiment, regardless of result.      Also: Some seem to miss the fact, that improvements in sound are (or- should be) cumulative.       The only limit is one's own satisfaction (far as I can tell, anyway).     
cd318, surely you jest. I've heard some amazing looking systems at Hi Fi shows. 
Isn’t that just one man’s journey into the unknown leaving behind a metaphysical mindmap for the benefit of not only those that may wish to follow but the author himself?

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>..

I don’t know what it was, to tell the truth. I read that book to the point of totally "NOT understanding it". Come to find out no one else could either..

In the audio world, terms get thrown around like they mean something..
They may to some folks.

Vibration, Harmonics, SOUND. IS 101 in a good mechanics learning.
Mechanics learn that FEELING, Hearing and knowing about sound, is WHY thing stay together, or FLY apart..

Feeling = 60 hz and below
Hearing = from 27.5 hz -19+ KHz
Knowing = sound above 21Khz

This is the reason for my position, most "Tweaks" work for the person doing it. Usually not me. WHY? Because I was the guy that had to go back to the tweak, and fix the real problem, AND pull the tweak out to get back to square one... REALLY..

Example: Two guys buy amps. One buys my cheap Class D. the other buy a top of the line Pass. Nothing left out... My amp requires everything under the sun to make it sound GOOD, PC, internal wire upgrade, fuse swap, Buffer board upgrades, EVEN complete Power Supply swaps. Still that Pass with a cheap PS cable, and some cheap zip cord, and cheap RCAs or even CHEAPER XLRs with good speakers and an OK source, will sound MUCH better.. NO TWEAKS..

Most don’t work because they don’t work.. I’ve found that routing cables, letting things settle, VERY minor speaker movements, and PUTTY pinching, are all the tweaks I usually need.. MOST of the other stuff, enjoy it... it’s fun, at least mahgister and millercarbon aren’t spending a fortune on it..

I know my rooms, I know my equipment.. I know my equipment will work in your rooms. WHY? the way the equipment is set up.. We start at the top and work down, not at the bottom and work our way up.. That was done a long time ago.. In my teens 15-16.. I’m 65 now.. NOT $$$ wise, but what I (ME) work with.. I like Mac.. I like VMPS, I like mine... SO I learned MY stuff... Don’t we all.

Back to the Shop, and Time to feed the chickens... I wish you guys could see the new planars from GSR. WOW... olay, amego...BOOM BOOM just around the corner..

I think I’m gonna name them "kenjit" Mini’s and Maxis. :-) Let you guys run with that...
What can I say he inspires me.. Mercy. lord love a duck...

Regards..