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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
 
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).
whostolethebatmobile
290 posts
 
Paint both sides of an fo.Q RS912 turntable mat with 2 coats of AVM (anti vibration magic). Unfortunately AVM is no longer commercially available, but I obtained 17 bottles of it 3 months ago, by asking around. It was semi-solid but I managed to revive it by mixing with water and squeezing it until it came back to life.

Said fo.Q/AVM mat adds incredible inner detail and depth when playing LPs and 45s.
If anyone has spare AVM stock for sale, contact me and I will buy it at full price if it's still liquid. Must say "Made in Canada" on the front of the box. If it says "By Uniko" on the front, it's old stock and probably solidified.
whostolethebatmobile
290 posts
 
If you can’t afford fancy fuses, wrap the middle of an ordinary fuse glass with a 5mm strip of piezoelectric tape, then paint the tape with everyone’s favourite graphene paste.
Assuming you may already have leftover ingredients on hand, the cost = $1 for fuse + 30c for tiny strip of tape + 20c for tiny TC smudge = $1.50

E=fo.Q+TC²
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