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Snake oil and tweaks that work!

This is in no way intended to bring out argument but discussion of tweaks people have tried and have found success with. I know there are at least 50% of you out there that think everything in audio is snake oil, and you are initialed to those opinions. Please don't make this your battle field! If you want to start an opposing thread calling us nuts and getting in arguments please do, it might be fun to have both going. I want this one to be an informational for people who want to try things. I for one have tried a lot of the recommendations in Stereophile each month, most don't work for me, but I have found a few things that do work. #1 tweak: Speaker location. Even a 1/16" can make all the difference. I try to play with this about every six months. A dedicated circuit from the panel with 10ga. wire had a very noticeable improvement. Cables and wires matter, some have been good for my system, some real bad. We have plenty of threads covering this so lets no go there. The "Bedini Ultra Clarifier" works amazingly well for me, I know it's crazy but it works! The Cardas caps I got for X-mas really worked, they produced a more quite background, go figure. Black Diamond Racing "the Puck and the Shelf " have been great improvements, all the different cones I've tried change the sound, I haven't found one I would recommend. The Audio Prism Quiteline filters work great, but power conditioners and RFI/EMI ferrets did nothing. The last thing that has helped me is furniture location, I find if I move something only an inch it can help or hurt. I look forward to hearing others experiences.
128x128jadem6
jcbtubes
400 posts
 
Hdm- You might want to think twice about that silicone dielectric grease! A couple of dealers were having problems with the sound of a vendor's (very expensive) power equipment changing over time, and not for the better. After investigating the possible causes, the vendor determined that it was the grease which was causing the degradation in sound. It is no longer used in the production of their equipment. Obviously, the grease can be removed with solvents (alcohol), so no permanent harm done. Just keep it in mind if things start sounding uninvolving and lacking dynamics. Goodluck.
hdm
971 posts
 
Thanks for the info Jcbtubes. Have been using it for about 8 months now with no detrimental effects, just positive ones. I use only small amounts on power contacts (plugs and iec's) and it's worked for me so far. But I'll keep my ears open. From your post, it sounds like someone was using this stuff internally in the manufacture of their gear-what exactly were they using it in and where were they applying it?
srwilsonmiami's avatar
srwilsonmiami
10 posts
 
I was very excited to find the Cardas Frequency Sweep now available as an iPhone app. Works just like the one on the record, only .99 cents. Worth trying, I use it over Bluetooth to a Bluetooth receiver hooked up to my line level inputs. 
totorg
1 posts
 
I find that wearing my underware inside out and backwards, really improves transient detail...
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
2,850 posts
 
1.  If you have a turntable that uses a belt, replace the belt with a custom belt built by originlive.com  This is not a subtle improvement, its major. 

2.  Change out your speaker terminals with Cardas copper terminals. 

3.  Use Caig Gold contact enhancer on all terminations including tube pins. Don't forget your the spade lugs on your speaker cables (both ends). 

4.  Invest in a ten pack of Synergistic Research High Frequency Transducers (HFT's) and place them around the room as per the directions. 

5.  Replace all fuses in your sysem with Synergistic Research BLACK fuses. 

6.  If you're into vinyl and haven't done so yet, invest in a VPI record cleaning machine.

7.  Stop listening to your equipment and listen instead to the music. 

OP


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