What improved your system?

[Abyss]

Thought this would be interesting to find out:

Other than changing the actual hardware, whats the main things you have done to your system to improve its sound and/or picture quality (excluding buying new hardware)?


For me it's as follows:

1. Filled the floorstander speaker bases with sand. Result: tighter bass and a more controlled sound
2. Replaced speaker cable numerous times. Currently using Van Damme blue 4mm
3. Changing interconnects many times. Currently using the TNT audio ShoeStrings.
4. Placed the equipment on squash balls cut in half. Didn't notice a huge improvement on sound, but I did notice a couple of new sounds in my favourite album
5. Replaced the 4 way plug bar (with horrible LEDs, switches and cheap components) with a single plug that is designed to accommodate up to four cables. Amazingly I actually noticed a slight improvement in sound and a decrease in unwanted noise.
6. Tidied up all cables to ensure power didn't run parrallel to sound/video. Definately worthwhile
7. Spent hours moving speakers around to find the best position. Definately makes the biggest difference
8. Bi-wired the speakers. Made a significant difference
9. For homecinema usage, replaced the centre channel only with silver MordauntShort speaker cable. Improved the clarity of voices but didn't integrate quite aswell with the left and right speaker. Still deciding which I prefer.

Most of my improvements relate to 2 channel upgrades only, as my passion for improving is more towards the music side than home-cinema.

Next on the list is some granite (or similar) tiles under the left and right speaker, and to properly use an SPL meter to set the sound levels.

 

[9designs2]

1. Speaker placement
2. Speaker placement
3. Speaker placement...........
You get the idea, very few bother and get this right IMHO.

System set-up, everything set "tight" and "level", connection, spikes, racks etc etc. If it moves tighten it !!!

Not into "snake oil" devices, but attention to detail and careful set-up is the difference between a descent system sounding great and great system sounding pants!

 

[DRZ]

9designs2 I would go further than that and to say that its absolutely critical that SPEAKER PLACEMENT is absolutely critical.

You should devote hours and hours and hours to getting it right.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

1. Speaker placement
2. Cables, though that was dependant upon the kit I had. Naim kit never responds well to aftermarket power cables, my Meridian transport loves them.
3. New digital interconnects. Don't ask me why they make a difference, haven't got a clue, but I've found that good coax ones make a difference, and were also massively better than an optical when using my 203 DAC.
4. Supports for kit. Tried a variety and have my amp and CD transport both sat on RDC cones, which are then on granite plinths (£13 from Argos, look for their chopping boards). At some point I'll buy a set of Stillpoints for my CD transport, but that will be when I have the dosh.
5. Dedicate PSU for the DAC. Does respond well to one.
6. Removing the TV from between the speakers. If you've never tried this, give it a go. Talk about free upgrade to stereo.
7. Selling all my AV kit and relying on stereo, even for films

 

[danza]

7. Selling all my AV kit and relying on stereo, even for films

Good man!!!

Although I listened to a really, really incredibly very nice Krell system at Sounds Of Music a month ago. It would either be that or a house though

1) Speaker placement
2) Vibration isolation
3) Proper Hifi rack rather than flimsy shelving/sideboards
4) Buying a turntable
5) Spending more money

 

[9designs2]

9designs2 I would go further than that and to say that its absolutely critical that SPEAKER PLACEMENT is absolutely critical.

You should devote hours and hours and hours to getting it right.

LOL. well yes and no.... Critical granted ...hours and hours naaa, about 20 minutes (plus 30min to get the dam spikes adjusted so there is NO cabinet movement).

Been meaning to write a speaker placement guide for ages !.... in brief, place speaker 500mm from wall, in clear space, out or corners, and oh yes Mr_S WITHOUT a TV in between, (HUGE free upgrade for me, well it cost me a PW6 plasma, so not quite free
Listen to simple perhaps acoustic track. Then move speakers, out to 750mm, Is it better or worse ? Judge by following the Tune and Flow of the music, not how "much" bass it has.
If better split the difference, to 625, listen again, better or worse, then with move forward 75mm or back 75mm, depends on result.
If Initially it was worse at 750, go to back to 500, retry, then move to 250.
Is 250 better than 500 ?... No go to 375. If yes Try 125......
You see the pattern, keep halving the distance you move in the direction of improvement, in the end you get them placed to within about 10-20mm.
Then try a small amount of Toe in, some speakers like it some don't.
Distance apart I work on around 2/3 of the seating distance.

Does that make sense ? it adds and degree of logic and control to the process, and when you get use to it, it's quite quick to find the right placement to Tune the response into the room.

 

[Abyss]

I most definately agree that speaker placement is the most important part, and something that most people ignore. I spent quite a while doing mine, however the ideal place ended up being in a position wherby I couldn't actually walk past the end of my bed . Managed to reach a compromise of a position that sounds almost as good but is lifestyle friendly .