Tweaks

Kurt Tank,

Really? That's interesting.

Macdadtexas,

Other than Chuck's (Krell_man) post, which of the other posts were rude and/or idiotic? (And even Chuck's post was only slightly rude, as it was more condescending than actually rude.)

FYI: Personally, I took more offense at your post, than I did of Chuck's to be perfectly honest.

Wow, some pretty rude posts here. It's early, but obviously the liquor store is open early in some spots.

I apologize for the idiotic and rude posts from some of the other Audiogon community members, to your pertinent, relevent, and intelligent question.

I think the Vibrapods make a small difference, but it's dependant on what type of rack you are starting with.

Crossing the wires makes sense, but I have always done that so couldn't tell you if it makes a difference or not.

The caps do seem to work. They seem to stop or lessen feedback problems too.

I have found that tweaks can make a very positive difference. Some are more effective than others and it takes some patience and 'trial and error' to get a system sounding it's best. I look at tweaks as if it were a componet in a system. Getting the right combination may cost as much as any other type of upgrade and can be just as significant.

One word of warning is to stay away from products from a company called DakiOm. Some of the products can damage certain componets... and while the effects can be entertaining, they are anything but truthful to the source.

I have found that those tweaks work if your system is sufficiently resolving enough to hear them. Make your own grounding plugs as sidssp sugests. V-Pads (rubber-cork-rubber pads and available at HVAC suppliers for about $2.50)are MUCH better than Vibrapods and lots cheaper but Still Points and Mapleshade brass footers are even better.

I find it near impossible to get cords at 90 degrees to one another.
For well thought out system suggestions get Jim Smith's book "Get Better Sound" Worth every penny.
http://www.getbettersound.com/

Would really like to see if you can measure any difference for the suggested tweaks.

#1 I tried shorting pins and found no appreciable change. Make sure if you try this, not to insert said pin into an output jack. #2 Vibrapods made some difference but not huge and not always an improvement. Audio points and Still points are the real deal. #3 I would rather listen to Elton John (I dislike his music) than spend the time attempting to have cords intersect at right angles.

Suggestion for #4 Try some GIK panels in your room. They are reasonably priced.

All three of these tweaks are fairly standard, and well known actually.

Remember though that tweaks are just that, "tweaks", which are minor little adjustments to one's system, that may, or may not, affect the sound of the system. Try'em out and if they work, great. If not, no big deal, as most of these tweaks are relatively cheap to try out anyway.

Tbromgard: Here is a link to some grounding caps:
Music Direct-grounding caps

Tbromgard, You can make grounding plug yourself for a couple bucks each. All parts are available from Radio Shack.

http://www.siteswithstyle.com/VoltSecond/Shorting_plug_rca/shorting_plug.html

Certainly Vibropods are a very cheap tweak, and crossing power ICs at right angles is easy and cheap too. I have not heard of putting grounding caps in unused pre-ins. Does anyone know where to get grounding caps or how much they cost?

You are kidding, right?

If you aren't kidding, you have to be very new to this, so read, read, read and then think, think, think until it makes sense to you.

You're in a room playing music. Sound waves flow out of the speakers and are bouncing all around your room hitting everything in sight, including your components.

Signals or AC pass through wires, if the grounding or shielding allows leakage, what's next to the leaking wires.

This isn't rocket science, but it can appear to be!

Chuck