What is your favorite low-tech tweek?


With all of this talk of expensive interconnects, the right plugs, etc., what have you done to your system that has been helpful but without shelling out tons of money?

In a differant thread I saw where I could use some foam insulation used for water pipes to wrap around my longer interconnects to keep them off the floor and seperated from other cables/wires. Also, I am using a pair of tall electrostatic speakers laying on their sides for audio. They are positioned at the base of my screen used in my home theatre. I didn't want the speakers flat on the hardwood floors, so I am using a couple month's supply of wine corks beneath the speakers for seperation. Finally, I got a bit tired looking at the cheap two-wire power cord that came with my Cd player and I re-wired a much better computer cord to a two-pronged plug and I do believe I have better results. That, or I should have made the best use of what the wine corks were designed to do stop with the crazy creative tinkering. So, what have you done along these lines?
unclejeff
Hey Jejaudio;

Interesting. I think I need to read your suggestion a couple of times to get it right. I am buying some high-end referance speakers that come with the "best' cones, I think I will try them, and then your idea and see what happens. If your idea sounds(forgive the pun) the best, I will go with it as I do seem to be moving things around a bit too much.
Mod the stock power cord for the CD or DVD player. First I cut the cord so it just reaches the outlet. Second, I separate the two strands. Third, wrap aluminum tape around both strands. Fourth, put copper coax around the tape. Next, attach the leads to a decent three prong plug, with the copper coax going to the ground. This seems to greatly reduce EMI and RFI interference. Also plug it into it's own dedicated outlet, if you can, so the digital hash doesn't affect the other equipment.
1. Get your ears cleaned anually by your doctor.
2. Replace the mounting screws on your speaker drivers with stainless steel. Nylon screws also work on the smaller drivers (the tweeters).
3. The Cardas speaker placement formula is free and fun. I've found it amazing for soundstaging; not so much for bass.
Clean your connections, as per Albert Porter above, including the AC power. I got some extra detail and quieter background in my system by cleaning my electrical service ground. I momentarily disconnected the copper wire where it clamps to the ground rod, cleaned it with wire brush on Dremel tool, applied Pro-Gold cleaner/enhancer, and solidly reclamped it. Added some ductseal and a plastic bag to protect from future corrosion.

Has anyone played with their ground rods? Slipknot: Maybe after drinking that beer, you could enhance your ground connection. Let us know which beer works best!

Cheers
Charlie