Tweaks : A sensible investment or a waste of money?

[gilles13]

I think tweaks must be tried at home before buying. I just made an A/ B test after reading the answer on the room factor and the difference with the acoustic revive was less than usual, I think because I have got a few entreq minimus in my system recently so I am going to displace the RR 888 as the place where it stands is an important factor.

 

[Barry2013]

Thanks gilles13.
Entreq work very well in my system and I will look forward to reading how your RR888 performs in a different location.
Can highly recommend Poseidon and negative speaker terminal grounding but can be done also with two minimus.

 

[microstrip]

I think tweaks must be tried at home before buying. I just made an A/ B test after reading the answer on the room factor and the difference with the acoustic revive was less than usual, I think because I have got a few entreq minimus in my system recently so I am going to displace the RR 888 as the place where it stands is an important factor.

The big issue with some tweaks that they need a long break in time before becoming really effective. And taking them out of the system reverts the break-in ...

For some time I owned two complete equal systems - Quad CD67/ 66 preamp and 606 power amp - that I could assemble with different cables and tweaks, so I could compare directly. Now I just have one set in my vintage collection - very useful in extremely hot days when nothing with many tubes should be switched on!

 

[Barry2013]

The big issue with some tweaks that they need a long break in time before becoming really effective. And taking them out of the system reverts the break-in ...

For some time I owned two complete equal systems - Quad CD67/ 66 preamp and 606 power amp - that I could assemble with different cables and tweaks, so I could compare directly. Now I just have one set in my vintage collection - very useful in extremely hot days when nothing with many tubes should be switched on!

+1

 

[BruceD]

What is a RR-888?

• https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/how-can-acoustic-revive-rr-888-produce-7-83hz

I am zero familiar with that type of audio gadget, so I cannot comment anything of beneficial value, très unfortunately. Learning is my middle name.

Bob, Keep this to yourself

I use one powered with the Kingrex PSU--doesn't make jaw dropping improvement for ones listening--but hey I like it--so Blah Blah

Email setup Guru Jim Smith --he has one atop his System.

BruceD

 

[bonzo75]

Bob, Keep this to yourself

I use one powered with the Kingrex PSU--doesn't make jaw dropping improvement for ones listening--but hey I like it--so Blah Blah

Email setup Guru Jim Smith --he has one atop his System.

BruceD

I like this too. I bought one a 2 or 3 years ago and planned to add the Kingrex... Never got round to that

 

[BruceD]

I like this too. I bought one a 2 or 3 years ago and planned to add the Kingrex... Never got round to that

Ha! Ked --Snap The Kingrex supply I think is out of production-- would Paul Hynes in the UK have similar spec PSU?

Trust your quest for Nirvana is nearing fruition--have enjoyed the ride immensely !

As an old friend of mine used to quote:

"May the bridges I burn light the way to the end of the Tunnel"

BruceD

 

[bonzo75]

Ha! Ked --Snap The Kingrex supply I think is out of production-- would Paul Hynes in the UK have similar spec PSU?

Trust your quest for Nirvana is nearing fruition--have enjoyed the ride immensely !

As an old friend of mine used to quote:

"May the bridges I burn light the way to the end of the Tunnel"

BruceD

The tunnel is like the London dungeon. Lots of fun and horror and thrills along the way for us kids

 

[BruceD]

the tunnel is like the london dungeon. Lots of fun and horror and thrills along the way for us kids

bd

 

[mcondo]

You've got to take them out at some point to validate their performance. I had a HRS damper on top of my YBA integrated for well over 2 years. One day I removed it for no real reason and found it had over damped the amp. Removing it produced a touch more timbre. Likely component/chassis construction dependent.

 

[Ultrafast69]

With all respect, maybe the heading can be “tweaked” to say “sensible purchase”, versus “sensible investment” - as I have yet to see anything in this hobby as an investment.

Today, a respected audiophile listened to my system and indicated there was gain to be had in the mid range.

Flashing back, I installed Stillpoints Ultra 5’s under Wilson Alexias a few weeks back and noticed the same thing, however, I can never add only one thing at a time and believed it may of been related to updating an XLR cable.

I asked for help to remove the Stillpoints and put the OEM spikes on, and 20 minutes later the mid range literally snapped back.

So was this a waste of money, it could be seen that way. In the spirit of things, I’m moving a few things around and see where anything can be repurposed for the better, I have had my share of tweaks and now taking a break from any new acquisitions, just how long is the question .

 

[Barry2013]

Thanks Ultrafast69.
I take your point about the title. I was using "investment" more in terms of sound quality than in financial terms.
Your experience with the Ultra 5s is interesting. I have them under my YG Kipod Signature passives where they have been sometime and prior to a number of subsequent upgrades. They have always sounded good despite YGs advice to stay with their own supports but it would probably be sensible check in the light of your experience with the Wilsons.

 

[mikewxyz]

I’ve been reading Mark “Dr. AIX” Waldrep’s book “Music and Audio: A User Guide to Better Sound”. It’s interesting to get a professional’s take on audio tweaks. I have some disagreements with him but not many.

 

[Barry2013]

That's an interesting teaser Mike.
For those of us who might struggle to locate a copy would you be good enough to share with us a a summary of his conclusions, or at least the most relevant ones.

 

[Ultrafast69]

Thanks Ultrafast69.
I take your point about the title. I was using "investment" more in terms of sound quality than in financial terms.
Your experience with the Ultra 5s is interesting. I have them under my YG Kipod Signature passives where they have been sometime and prior to a number of subsequent upgrades. They have always sounded good despite YGs advice to stay with their own supports but it would probably be sensible check in the light of your experience with the Wilsons.

Doing that will cost only time, curious on your result

 

[mikewxyz]

Waldrep covers a lot of ground. I have not read all 825 pages of his book. As previously posted, one person’s tweak is another’s undisputed no-brainer improvement.

Useless Tweaks -

• After market power cords and conditioners are not needed (p. 725)
• Cable elevators, CD demagnetizers, shorting plugs, hi fi fuses, and wall mounted acoustic dots are all about sending someone else’s kid to college. (p. 727)

Contrarian Views (maybe) -

• Hi Res Digital is far superior to analog
• Surround 5.1 is better than 2 channel

 

[Barry2013]

Doing that will cost only time, curious on your result

Yes you are right and I'll seriously try to get round to it and post the results.

 

[Barry2013]

Waldrep covers a lot of ground. I have not read all 825 pages of his book. As previously posted, one person’s tweak is another’s undisputed no-brainer improvement.

Useless Tweaks -

• After market power cords and conditioners are not needed (p. 725)
• Cable elevators, CD demagnetizers, shorting plugs, hi fi fuses, and wall mounted acoustic dots are all about sending someone else’s kid to college. (p. 727)

Contrarian Views (maybe) -

• Hi Res Digital is far superior to analog
• Surround 5.1 is better than 2 channel

Thanks Mike
IME after market cables and some conditioners and fuses have made a difference for the better.
What year does the book date from? I ask because there have been a lot of advances in materials technology in recent years which have been applied in the audio world which have generally had a positive reaction.

 

[asiufy]

Thanks Ultrafast69.
I take your point about the title. I was using "investment" more in terms of sound quality than in financial terms.
Your experience with the Ultra 5s is interesting. I have them under my YG Kipod Signature passives where they have been sometime and prior to a number of subsequent upgrades. They have always sounded good despite YGs advice to stay with their own supports but it would probably be sensible check in the light of your experience with the Wilsons.

Barry,

+1 on getting those things out of your YGs.

Power cords are the single most important cable in a system, IMHO.

cheers,
Alex

 

[mikewxyz]

Mark Waldrep released his book earlier this year (2018). He contrasts differences between pro audio and audio enthusiast views and talks about what he thinks is important for better sound. He provides lots of explanation - especially in the music format sections.

I found it interesting.