Cheap tweaks...What would YOU reccomend?

Take your curtains down and put some acoustic blankets in place. Get some with grommets and just hang them up. About $60 for two. Made a big difference in my system because windows are behind me. I also removed some glass vases, glass lamps and some other reflective items out of listening room with positive results. Much smoother upper midrange.

Move the counterbalance weight on your tone arm back. Yes, you have to use a headshell weight to do this, but I found the improvements were well worth it - more detailed bass, smoother highs, more spacious soundstage.

An interim step in order to get the best position is to first use a piece of outer sleeving from an old power cable ( in place of the headshell weight) about 3 inches long and cut a slot down the length to allow it to be placed over the arm near the headshell.

Then set the counterbalance weight and give it a listen. Reducing the length of the sleeve will reduce the weight and require the counterbalance weight to be .moved forward. Repeat steps until you have the best sound

Once you have the best sound you can then measure the weight of the sleeve and make the headshell weight about 0.5 grams lighter to maintain the position of the counterbalance weight.

Headshell weights can be found on the web - or make you own from an old key, the brass makes for a nicely finished weight.

Piece of bluetac will hold it in place, or place it between the cartridge and headshell for a more solid fix.

PLEASE NOTE this will alter the mass of the arm, which in turn may cause a shift in the "resonant frequency", but you should be able to hear any degradation in sound should this happen and back out the tweak easily

If you are feeling VERY adventurous, you could epoxy the weight to the cartridge for even better cartridge performance, much like Zu and Soundsmith modifications

I will be doing this in the next couple of weeks, so I'll update this thread with the outcome :-)

So my previous post may have been a bit misleading and I have learned the errors of my ways :-)

Turns out the improvements I achieved was due to the additional effective mass I had added by adding a headshell weight

However - the last item . Epoxy the Denon DL103 to the headshell weight did pay huge dividends. I can see why the Zu and Soundsmith mods are so popular

Improvements included improved dynamics, a much improved sound stage and space around individual instruments.

Best $12 I've ever spent

Remove the metal cover from your tube preamp.

Never play a record with the plastic lid closed. In fact remove the lid completely.

Instead of amp stands between or behind your speakers,try this:Get a length of gray foam pipe insulation,the type that's "pipe shaped" with a slit down the length for placing around a water pipe.Cut it in 3 inch lengths and put under the amp/amps.I use 4 of them under each mono block.Really excellent isolation.I was initially going to use them for feet under maple slabs,but no need.