What are you trying to tweak improve?

Every time I tweak or upgrade, I find myself listening for improved realism -- the illusion of musical presence. Specifically, I'm looking for clearer highs and stronger dynamics.

At this point, I'm most interested in obtaining the blackest background/lowest noise-floor possible. I believe that so long as one perceives that the other areas mentioned have been addressed, I believe this lowered noise-floor will simply enhance sound-staging, imaging, etc. and add more micro-dynamics bursts and bites from a dead silence to give the music more of that 'live' sound.

To reach this goal (not yet attained), I've installed custom 10 gauge 99.95% OFC romex, three dedicated circuits/lines, aftermarket audio-grade electrical outlets, floated the ground on all three circuits, and am using dedicated in-line power conditioners in place of power cords for each component. The only thing I can think of next is convert my amp from 115volts to 230volts and convert the amp's circuit to 230volts. I'm just too nervous to do this myself right now.

I'm certainly open for suggests.

-IMO

Mapleshade has some incredible tweeks that live up to
their billing. Talk to Pierre. He knows tweeks!

Turntable base for isolation. I see commercial ones available for $1250 ... and more ... and I nearly faint. I'm working on a prototype, with assistance from engineers at Sorbothane. This is a granite slab (1.25" or 2.50"), on an air bladder, in a wooden frame which is all glued and doweled (no nails or screws to vibrate), which sits on engineered Sorbothane feet. Since the guy who sold me the granite sold me 10 pieces, once I get this tweaked to its maximum potential, I might put some up for sale here. But the results so far are very promising :-)

I got all sorts of tweaks going, but have been recently confused by the isolation tweak. I have my preamp and cd player on isolation points, then had shot on the top to help keep it stable, however I was recently told not to weigh down my components that are on isolation spikes, yet I have seen products sold for just such a purpose. Who is right? Or is this yet another thing in the audiophile world that doesn't have a concrete answer?