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Cheap Tweak..Mass Loading

If you are dissatisfied with the sound of your system, try this before spending big bucks on upgrading of audio components. I borrowed 3 bags of lead shot (25 lbs) each from a friend and placed one on each of my 2 power conditioners (one for power amp and analog sources and one for digital) and a bag one my power amp. The improvement in sound was very dramatic, bigger than component upgrades that I have done in the past. Soundstage is huge with more depth. Dynamics at high listening levels is unbelievable. Resolution and detail at low levels is amazing. The bass is so tight it's like a sledge hammer hitting you square in the chest. For $45 I have seen a much bigger improvement in my system than I ever dreamed that I would. If you have not mass loaded your components..Do it!
slowhand
albertporter's avatar
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albertporter
4,927 posts
 
I got great results mass loading the power supplies of my Soundlab U1 speakers with two twenty five pound bags of lead on each. The Aesthetix tube preamp and phono did not respond well with this, but later trials on my power conditioner and subs were beneficial. I agree this should be experimented with, and probably with varying amount of weight.
sean
6,229 posts
 
My findings support Albert's statements. This does not work on all things equally well and the weight needs to be varied somewhat. Doing this in conjunction with other tweaks can add up to a noticeable difference. Sean
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glen's avatar
glen
714 posts
 
If I brought home two bags of lead shot and tried setting them atop my components in the livingroom I imagine the wife would be out in the garage looking for BUCKSHOT! I don't think I need to tell you where that would be headed:~)
brianw
373 posts
 
You can also try using sand abrasives used for commercial sand blasting.
cornfedboy
1,645 posts
 
glen: as albert & sean correctly note (of course) this doesn't work on all components and the critical mass my vary among the components for which it does. once you determine on which pieces mass loading works and the amount required, you can have the shot sewn into quite a lovely custom bag, matching your curtains, upholstery or whatever. see, again, marthastewart.com (i'm lobbying a'gon to link to martha's site; i think it's indispensable for discriminating audiophiles). perhaps this may be a perfect place to involve your spouse more in your audio hobby. perhaps not. -cfb
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