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Most useful tweaks that are sensible and really make a noticeable improvement

So after reading the thread of useless tweaks I'd  be interested the communities opinions of useful tweaks. I may be rehashing a previous thread but times change as do useful tweaks.

I have found that in my case the following were useful, immediate and audible,
In order of priority in my opinion
1 Room treatment
2 Speaker location, ie proper setup
3 Subwoofer location (if used)
4 Subwoofer integration
5 Component isolation
6 Cables, all SC/IC etc, normally I would not mention cables but did have an ear opening epiphany that makes me believe cables are system dependant and I do not mean directionality.

So if anybody has anything to add, please do so as none of us are ever too old to learn.



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geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Speaking of tubes, anyone use Herbies Tube Dampers? The only Tube dampers that actually improve the sound and don’t make it worse. For tubes like 6SN7s with a base use one damper on the glass near the getter and another on the base. 
thecarpathian
4,152 posts
 
What about 12au7's, same place?
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
For 12AX7 type tubes, you know, the ones without bases, then only one Herbies damper is needed, right where the getter is located. Marigo also makes a VTS Dot for the underside of the Tube in the center of the Tube pins.
vinylvalet
836 posts
 
I'd also start with making sure your speakers and listening chair are properly positioned per Jim Smith of Get Better Sound. Otherwise the subtle effects of many tweaks will be masked by room acoustic issues. I've found that the relatively unknown AV Room Service EVP footers to be remarkable under speakers and other components, again per Jim Smith. Less expensive than Ghias and other expensive, shiny products like them.
fleschler
1,911 posts
 
I've been using Herbie's tube dampers for several decades on 12AX7, 12AU7, 6SN7 and 6DJ8s.  They have no negative effect on the sound and the sound is better with them on.  I have also used a pair of tight rubber/silicone rings from Sandy Gross from years back.  They made stock cheap EI 12AX7s sound more like NOS Sylvania large D getter 12AX7s in an EAR 864 phono stage (without the rings-yuk).
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