Essential tips for system setup

With the wealth experiance here on the Gon, we all know you do not just plug it in and expect bliss from our systems. Irregardless of brand, price, tube or SS, vinyl or CD etc there are basic setup techniques that will maximize the quality of sound that can be extracted from any gear. What are the top 5 setup techniques that has brought the best out of your system? I sweated through two years wanting to upgrade but found each setup technique when implement constitued a "component upgrade" it itself. Here are my "Essentials" for proper system setup:

1. Power. Run a dedicated line - especially for your source and preamp. The more dedicated lines the better. Use a good recepticle, minimun orange hospital grade but try to go for hi end audiofile recepticle. If power in area is poor then get a line conditioner. Do not use power bars!

2. Room. Get rid of the clutter between the speakers. Some room treatment - at least some bass traps in the corners. This can get very involving but take a look at the room and see what can be moved around and listen for the best sonics. Seating position is a critical factor here also.

3. Speaker Placement. I suffered for over a year because my Wilson Sophia's were incorrectly placed by an "Expent" Finally I played around with it myself and after 3 hours of experimenting it is right. Trust your ears!

4. Isolation Platforms. Make sure you have good isolation platforms for your components. I placed my CDP and amp on ebony blocks and then elevated my CDP off the blocks with rubber balls. Either buy or make good platforms for your components. My CDP sounds analogue now.

5. Cables. Have decent cables but I believe having a good power cord on the front end will make the most improvement.

My components have not changed but they have definitely taken 5 big jumps up in terms of musical quality. It took me 2 years to "tune" my system to this point, what other "Essential" setup may I be missing?