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The Most Cost Effective Tweak

What is the most cost effective upgrade or tweak? What yields the largest return on investment (ROI)? What if you could spend no money and no time and yield significant performance increases? Theoretically, that would result in an infinite ROI!

So how do you make that happen? Stop tweaking. What happens when you stop tweaking and messing with your audio system constantly is that you let everything burn in and settle down. Go read one of the many threads on this website that talks about how long it takes for components and cables to break in. The answers range from a few hours to several days. If you are suffering from constant upgrade-itis, you never let your audio system fully burn in. You’re robbing yourself of free, infinite ROI. And you never truly hear what your system is capable of. I’m not saying don’t upgrade your system. That’s a lot of the fun. Just give it some time and let your system burn in and open up. Reassess where you are at and where you want to go next.

Due to reasons I won’t go into depth on right now (mainly power issues), I am temporarily using a relatively cheap, high power, class D amp. I wasn’t thrilled with this setup and wasn’t sure if I could even call it’s sound signature high end. Due to a busy schedule, I have not had time to upgrade anything or even pursue simple tweaks. As a result of that, I have witnessed how the amp and my system have burned-in/settled down - whatever you want to call it. The sound was initially on the thin side and had harsh treble. Now the soundstage has become huge and the sound has become very smooth - smoother than I thought class D was capable of - especially from a class D amp that isn’t really something to write home about.

My point is that I realized significant performance increases by doing literally nothing. And now that I am hearing what I believe is the true sound of my system, my next tweak or upgrade will be more effective because I can clearly recognize where the weaknesses are at instead of making judgements while things are still burning in, which is often the case with upgrade-itis.
128x128mkgus
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Most cost effective tweek is probably getting your speaker placement correct. Depending on the speakers an 1/8” move in the right way can have a significant impact.

Correct. This makes the tape measure #2 on the most cost effective tweaks. Would be #1 if it weren't for rubber bands being infinite. I guess if you are clever enough to use string or something free in lieu of a tape measure then you could handily beat even a kitchen clutter drawer full of rubber bands. But it has to be accurate, no stretch, because you are right it has to be precise. 

secretguy
1,582 posts
 
You already did the most effective tweak. You (inadvertently) got past the myth of break in and let your ears get used to the sound. Congrats.
danager's avatar
danager
874 posts
 
I'm not an electrician but I think the safety issue with a cheater plug is way over blown.  On a skill saw probably a lot more important as you're actually holding the device.  Your toaster isn't a three prong and unless you forget to unplug it while getting the stuck bread out with a butter knife a pretty safe appliance.   All my equipment from the 80s and before are only 2 prong.  When do you actually touch amp except when you are stroking it cause it sounds so good?
pauly
1,012 posts
 
You can burn in equipment before putting them into you system. 
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,213 posts
 
I didn’t read the whole OP question just the title, sorry.
But to me, the best all around tweak with the best return on investment is... the High Fidelity NPS-1260. It can be used most everywhere and improves the sound wherever it is used. Adding it to more connections in your system increases the cumulative effect.

ozzy
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