Is it possible to have too much/too many filters/tweaks?
Hi All,
So, we all know there are endless tweaks available to enhance our systems and get us that much closer to our audio nirvana. I have personally come across a few that are actual difference makers. But it got me thinking, is it possible that too many tweaks are actually counterproductive to what we are aiming for? For example, my main system (double duty for listening/HT) I have everything (except my 5-channel power amp) plugged into a Furman Elite 20PFi conditioner. In addition, I have a Puron AC plugged into my Furman (this one actually blew me away at how drastically it reduced background noise-legit), I also have a whole house surge protector. I have also installed an iFi Lan iSilencer between my TP-Link Powerline Ethernet Adapter and streamer. In addition, I have an ADD Powr Symphony between my streamer and DAC (another legit difference maker).
Now I just came across the iFi iPurifier 2 and was thinking of pulling the trigger. Then it occurs to me, is it possible to have too many filters/tweaks that it actually taints/diminishes the sound? How far/how much is too much, is there such a thing? Thoughts?
OP: Most of the tweaks that you mentioned are for cleaning up the AC power. I'm a firm believer in clean power as being the foundation for good SQ. In my experience, too much AC filtration - or a mismatch of different types of filtration - can alter the SQ to be thin and analytical - perhaps even fatiguing. Sometimes, different types of filtration can work great together. Auditioning them is the only way to know. A money-back trial period is a wonderful thing. |
The majority of power conditioners cause more harm than good - or for everything they do good, they do something else bad e.g reduce noise but limit current. stacking power conditioners only makes things worse. In some cases, just tightening the connections in the circuit breaker box and the sockets - with the mains disconnected of course - will make more of an improvement than a power conditioner. |
Thanks for the awesome replies! Great great, insightful points all! I enjoyed reading every single one. Especially the ones referencing “spending more money” and “buying stuff”-still LOL on that one @mapman 😂
You know, it’s never ever that I’ve felt there was an issue or something didn’t sound right, it’s the disease of audiophilia, ‘could this gadget actually improve what I’m already hearing/loving’? So that’s what always tempts me. And in the cases of the Puron and the ADD Symphony, that would be an absolute YES!
But like I said originally, it just occurred to me that indeed @sgordon1 “is sometimes less is more in this case”…
Again loved all the responses. Thanks for taking the time to weigh in… |
So many tweaks. So little time. I experimented with various hairstyles over the years, and their effect on sound quality. Shaggy hippy. Marine bootcamp. Full blown college professor (hair pulled back into a tight ponytail). I settled into the "astute businessman" style with hair just long enough to touch the top of the ears. Also found that all hair gels failed miserably. Now with thinning hair, I’m on to testing ballcaps. Would highly recommend wearing the cap "out of phase" with the bill pointing to the rear. |
