Systems:some tweek responsive,some not?

Elizabeth; interesting thread. One of the things that intrigues, and keeps my interest in high end audio, is that it's highly unlikely that any two individual's stereo systems, IN THE ENTIRE WORLD, are the same. I have used McCormack amps for years, and some time ago I asked Steve McCormack if he could recommend a power cord for my DNA-2DX amp. He said he had been doing quite a bit of experimenting with PCs, and recommended a $200. cord by API. I tried it on my amp and it was terrible-- it created a huge, unnatural, forward, bloomy soundstage. Is that what it did on his amps? I doubt it, but don't know. His system is totally unique and so is mine, so is yours, and so is everyone elses. So, a tweak that works great in my system, may be terrible, or do nothing in yours. But sometimes tweaks do translate well, and I'm open to trying those that aren't too expensive in terms of time or money. Last summer I put in a dedicated AC and ground system for my stereo room (electricians did the work), and my system became so bright I couldn't stand it. Redkiwi (Audiogon member) later informed me that with the dedicated AC system I was probably hearing the limitations of my stock AC cords. So I auditioned 7 power cords and ended up putting Synergistic Research Master Couplers on my four main components-- problem solved. The SR/MCs are neutral and dynamic in my system. BTW, the other six PCs either had their own sonic signature(s), or did nothing. Again, the unique nature of each of our "systems" is such that the success or failure of a tweak will also be unique-- IMHO. Cheers. Craig.

.......in keeping with the "unique" theme, each of us has unique hearing and a unique taste in music. If not, we would all have the same stereo systems and music collections:>). Craig

I've been building my system for over 20 years. I have a multitude of tweks which cost very little to a hell of a lot. "Fringe" tweaks such as power cords, very high end cabling and power filtering make bigger improvments after getting the foundation of the system first established. By foundation I mean great speakers and a synergistically matched amplifier. A great front end be it vinyl, digital or both and a preamo that is transparant and matches the amp very well. No that you have that harmony and very revealing components you will more than likely hear the changes made by $1200 meter interconnects, $2000+ speaker wires and $1000 power cords. Someone mentioned a $50 K system earlier and it will be a system in that range that if properly matched, set up and in a good room will allow just about any footer, cable change, digital cable change, power cord change etc. to ring through. Now if you add something to that well matched expensive system and it isn't heard then I would believe that the newly added piece is not of much value. It is very clear that these changes are more apparent in the more revealing systems. my system is a work of love and passion and is carefulls tweaked, laid out and maintained. I am at the point that I am now seing value to adding $1200 meter interconnects, $3000 speaker wires and $2000 Shunyata Hydra power conditioners with jaw dropping changes. On a Pioneer receiver based system running rat shack 16 ga copper wire from a cheap sony CD player I dont think any of this stuff would matter. I don't even think it will make a significant difference with stuff on the lower end of mid fi seperates. I used to have some adcom gear and I could hear some benifits from power conditioning, interconnects and speaker sire changes but they were spewing forth from $5000 Unity Audio Fountain head Sognature speakers so I already had some quality speakers and a very good amp to make them sing. So the morale of my ramblings is that a transparent system will reveal mor of the tweaks than one this is less so.
Fred

Sorry, my typing really sucks! :)

Elizabeth......guess you hit a hot button with your use of the word "unique", but IMO, it really does explain a lot about a lot in this fascinating pursuit. I'll quit now. Cheers.