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Crazy cheapo tweaks and impressive SQ hacking

Got a great little digital setup, enjoying the sound Ive been getting. But I had been craving a better DAC, maybe a really nice CD transport, player, SACD...etc.

Instead of going down the typical rabbit holes (where I inevitably be traveling), decided I’d try some silly tweaks and pluggin options?

Got a Raspberry Pi/Allo Digione with usb storage plugged in for files to play, into a cheapo Schiit Audio Modi Uber II, into a Creek Evolution 50A into some used Tekton Lore Reference, decent but very affordable cabling throughout thanks to Zu Audio.

Sound/resonance isolation a starting point, my daughter has an impressive rock collection, where she “loaned” me a perfectly sized rock to set atop the Modi, which I had already set upon some Hudson hifi feet. Also placed these feet under the Allo Digione. Then, downloaded a CD player plugging (Nanomesher) for the Digione that accommodates a cheap external CD/DVD drive via usb.

Stuck the CD player atop a dense little package box.

I cant even begin to describe the improvements...through CD player compared to ripped tracks from the same cd, more soundstage, depth, clarity, tone... mid bass has more color, definition and richness. Every clicky inadvertent texture is heard. Can hear Piano hammers lifting, releasing. Can differentiate the change in tone color and spit moving across a saxophone reed, you name it...all without being too harsh or clinical. I had already had the Hudson feet before using the rock and box, which suggests the cheapest mods worked the real magic here.

What gives? Didn’t expect this. Thought I was just grasping at the ridiculous...what will happen when I can actually allow myself to spend real money? Or do I have to? Thinking not?

Curious about your stories along these lines...anyone else with obsurd yet wonderful tweaks?
riccitone

Showing 6 responses by riccitone

riccitone OP
214 posts
 
@millercarbon @geoffkait 

Very interesting..

i think I’ve seen similar suggestions on other threads...time to try what you’re saying. Hopefully without my wife thinking I’ve gone completely nuts ;)

I have already set up an an array of 
adhesive backed hooks behind our cabinet to separate and suspend power cables and signal cables. Hearing difference after doing this got me thinking about more cheap tricks in the first place. Need to try raising the speaker cables. Can’t wait to try the CD color edge and spraying the speaker cables!

@geoffkait 

Where could I find your springs? That makes so much sense from a cancellation standpoint. 


riccitone OP
214 posts
 
This is some quantum-freaky stuff! 
Wish I had more time to experiment in full...but you guys have set some very interesting parameters for controlled variables. 
riccitone OP
214 posts
 
Lol!!

Looks like you two must go way back. I very much appreciate your recommendations. Physicists have been operating on the principle of vibrations as the reason for our very existence for some time now.

Stands clearly to reason that the very thing that our brains translate into music can at the same moment interfere with the equipment associated with generating said music. 

This, spoken by a musician...not a physicist (but a child of a physicist) so forgive my sloppy seudo science. 

Again, thank you 🙏🏼 

riccitone OP
214 posts
 
@twoch

Although I’m primarily operating through storage and playing CD’s, I was also looking into an internet switch to see what gains could also be made there, as I do stream a bit through the RPI Allo board.

Is $400 really the cheapest way to go? What switches would still apply some benefit on the cheap side?

Thanks again to everyone here for maintaining this discussion!
riccitone OP
214 posts
 
Lol!!!

@jetter For the win...

Hilarious and on point...not to mention still applicable/functional tweaks all around (that last link was my favorite). 


riccitone OP
214 posts
 
Exactly...

there comes a point of diminishing returns. A very expensive setup will require an expensive room to elicit any and all benefits derived from said gear. It takes some experimentation, knowledge-seeking, love for the music, some understanding of room acoustics/reflections, understanding the placement of equipment as well as equipment matching to bring out what’s best in the music you want to hear.

That does not require big bucks by today’s standards, with all the different types (not to mention all the different levels) of equipment available to audiophiles. Especially when you’ve got those priorities in order.
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