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Has there been any inexpensive item that enhanced your system's sound?

For me it was an inexpensive power cord that was laying around for years, a Pangea AC9.  I have it connected to my Yamaha A S2000.  I've tried the stock cord on the Yamaha and then some of my other cords, (Wireworld, VH Flavor 4, Acronlink/Oyaide custom cord and a MAC). I've had lots of amps and integrated amps over the years, and this is the first time the Pangea contributed to making better sound. It surprised me because I had tossed it aside and forgot about it.  Power cord performance is such a crap-shoot and dependent on so many other variables in the audio chain.  Any inexpensive item you've come across that enhanced your system's sound? 
foster_9
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Speaking of cleaning contacts one should clean contacts of ALL wall outlets, even those not audio related. Even contacts of wall outlets in other rooms, refrigerator, TV, computer, air purifier, etc. These oxidized or dirty contacts are a source of micro arcing, the noise of which migrates to the audio circuit.

foster_9 OP
1,638 posts
 
ptmconsulting, is it not true that many of the makers of audiophile electronics (amplifiers in particular) recommend not utilizing power conditioners and going straight to an outlet?  I have tried quite a few power conditioners (some expensive, like the Synergistic one)  before on sources and on amps and ended up with none anywhere. 
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
Besides replacing AC outlets with Maestro and now Furutech GTX-D R, High Fidelity MC-0.5 and SR BLACK fuses, I find covering unused RCA and XLR connectors yields a nice improvement.   Most noticeable is reduce HF glare and harshness ... quieter overall.

I use both Cardas and AQ caps.  AQ is less expensive and I don't hear a difference. 
jafant
18,804 posts
 
Test/Burn-In discs are the way to go!
shydog17
17 posts
 
Uh, sound panels. They're like $50 each. And bass traps too. Using sound panels is, without doubt, the best dollar-for-doaalar improvement you can possibly make. Just at the first reflection points (walls and ceiling) will make a huge difference.  
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