Tweaks and upgrades that aren't gimmicks


Hard to tell the real deal sometimes, especially when each one of us has different tastes and even most likely hear things differently. When does a new purchase substantially improve the sound consistently over and over for many users?
Let's see if we can come up with a list of things that without any doubt has improved the sound of our system.
This list can include components, cables, room treatment etc.
pedrillo
Yearly removal of earwax but don't try this yourself as the eardrum is a delicate instrument. Ok, if you are a do it yourselfer approach with extreme caution using a 12 volt drill and a Q-tip.
Room treatments, room treatments, room treatments. Great bang for your buck. Until you do this don't waste money on anything else in your system. This way you'll know what it should actually sound like. The difference can be and often is huge.
More music, whether lp's, cd's, sacd's, whatever, will make any system better.
Room treatments and electrical upgrades. If you spin vinyl, a vacuum powered record cleaning system is a worthwhile addition.
hmmm, this could be quite a list:
1) room treatments
2) dedicated AC outlets
3) vibration control (esp beneath moving components (like CDPs or turntables, but highly effective under ANYTHING with a toroid tranny)
4) power conditioning...depending on the unit.

rc