Cheap tweaks...What would YOU reccomend?

This is some big, big, big, bang for the buck. First Stillpoints ERS Paper (Google it!)for about $20 per sheet--then experiment. This paper/cloth is amazing. It absorbs EMF/RFI from everything. You can paste it to the underside of you CD/DVD player's lid, around cables, power supplies, etc. and get marvelous results---especially with digital front ends as digital is very sensitive to noise.

Second, is Walker Audio SST Silver Treatment. This is about $75 but it only takes just a wisper to make the difference to any contact: rca, speaker terminal, power cord, etc.

I challange anyone to beat these tweaks for the money. I dare you. I double-dare you!

Condocondor, not to be combative but I have used both and sold them. In particular, the ERS paper proved a disaster in my system, even the smallest piece. It robbed music of all thrill and dynamics. Incidentally, I have found that aluminum duct tape works very effectively as a barrier to external noises.

Walker's SST was quite good, but I used it on tube pins and found it caked on because of the heat. I had to use emory boards from AudioTop to file it off. Indeed, I found the AudioTop Workstation cleaners and contact enhancer to sound better and to cause no problems on tube pins.

I fully expect that systems and tastes differ.

Remember everything makes a difference. A tweak is a keeper and not a deceiver. So said some 21st century non Shakesperian dilbert dude. Apply this platitude while horizontal to your hi-fi. Rememeber ninty degree angles are non musical where ever you are. Tom

Here's a couple

Marbles - if a component has rubber feet with a hole in them the marble sits in the hole (cannot roll off) and isolates it very well - not sure it it works with hard plastic feet - My Rega Planar II performs very well

Squash Balls - make great isolation devices
- I have them in black ABS drainage pipes to support shelves
- A relative has them under butcher blocks supporting his turtable and CD Player
- I cut them in half and use double sided tape to secure to components (my CD Player) I also push a thumb-tack in the bottom to stop them from gripping - sorta like a cone

Hockey Pucks - a couple of uses
- you've probably spent good money to buy the little disks that prevent the spikes from wrecking your hardwood floors. So take a some hockey pucks and instert a robertson screw and place under the spikes - the rubber is also good at absorbing vibrations. If the equipment is heavy place a large washer between the puck and the screw

- Spent good money on a record clamp? - drill a hole in the puck that allows for some gripping of the shaft and GENTLY twist it on so it clamps the record. Make sure you centre the hole - else it looks wierd when rotating

- Buy a quality puck - they look nicer - of course you could buy the pucks with your favourite teams logo!

Cork - makes a great sound insulator
- I have placed it on the underside of my turntable's glass platter to prevent music-induced vibrations

Also used it on top of my CD Player to prevent music-induced vibrations

And finally - for those components that DO NOT get hot (i.e. my CD, Tuner and phono stage) - I have found that by placing the shelf above a component within 10mm of the top of the component it will eliminate a lot of music induced vibration.

CAVEATS:
- my shelves are MDF so I do not know if this is the case for any other material
- DO-NOT use the component to support the shelf!

Oooops - I forgot one...

20 amp Hospital or Lab grade power outlet - $7-$10

These are sooooo much better than those generally installed in houses and way way cheaper than the audiophile grade for a great performance improvement.

Get the 20 amp version: grips like a vice

Go to an electrical supply company - NOT Home Despot

Makes the bass really deep.