Vintage HiFi Audio Forum

Audio Discussion => DIY => Tweaks => Topic started by: OldiesButGoodies on November 02, 2011, 08:43:57 PM

Title: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: OldiesButGoodies on November 02, 2011, 08:43:57 PM
It does not have to be a good one,  can even be questionable so we can start a lively argument (like how marking the edges of a CD with green magic marker makes a CD sound better,  or the benefits of gold wire interconnects, etc).  There must be tricks you have used in your systems that could beef up this section of the forum!   


 O0
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: rgpit on November 02, 2011, 09:11:06 PM
OK. Here is a real one ... Clean and re-seat your interconnects. If it's been awhile since you've done this you will be surprised at the difference.

rg
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: TNRabbit on November 03, 2011, 06:43:52 AM
^^^ x2, but use DeOxit for the cleaning~
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: Sir Thrift-a-Lot on November 03, 2011, 08:19:53 AM
Teflon tape around the arm of a 1200 or similar largeish hollow arm can help reduce resonance.
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: non-prophet on November 03, 2011, 06:29:00 PM
Make sure you do not have a fluorescent light fixture or CFL bulb on the same circuit as your stereo!!!
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: MacGeek on November 03, 2011, 06:45:49 PM
Put the Hi Fi on it's own dedicated circut.  Better still, put the amp on it's own circut and the rest of the system on another-all on the same side of the Buss.  For the amp, bump the wire size (such as #10 for a 20 amp circut that requires #12, or #10 if it's a long run the the breaker box).  I ran 4 lines when I had the house rewired-one for each amp, one for the pre-amp and sources and one for junk (lights, etc)

And cleaning the interconnect connections is sometimes the only real difference we hear when comparing cables.  The old ones never sound as good, because the connection is improved just by the cable swapping process, and we think it's the cables that are better.  Maybe this will start a cable argument.

Try listening with the speakers positioned so that the tweeters are slightly above ear level and limit the stuff between them, or pull them forward, if the decorater permits.
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: Kingman on November 03, 2011, 07:48:33 PM
If your turntable skips tape a penny on the head of the cartridge... :P... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: OldiesButGoodies on November 03, 2011, 08:20:36 PM
This is a great list - thanks! Should keep me entertained for a while.  The teflon tape idea is definitely new to me and a "must test".   Deoxy on the terminals with careful before an after listening leds to a lot of listening,  which is always good...  ;D and never though about the fluorescent lamp n the circuit issue - need to look at that specially not that CFL bulb sare everywhere. 

Thanks!

Pepe
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: schwarcw on November 03, 2011, 10:36:09 PM
Make sure that you rebalance your tonearm after applying the tape to the tonearm.

Also, don't play you lps with the acrylic cover closed.  The closed air chamber will induce vibration from your music playing.  To demonstrate the effect, put an inflated baloon against your ear and tap on it.
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: Sir Thrift-a-Lot on November 03, 2011, 11:21:40 PM
I like to remove the cover all together, especially if playback is at a high volume.   The flat piece of plexi can act like a soundboard.
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: Sir Thrift-a-Lot on November 03, 2011, 11:22:23 PM
Do you guys know about Magic Eraser as stylus cleaner?   Works great.
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: DJTommyK on November 04, 2011, 12:01:09 AM
^ ^ I'll second that one.  The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (original, plain) works *wonders* for your stylus.  Just *gently* dip the stylus onto the Magic Eraser 2 times or so, and you're good to go for at least a couple of LPs, unless they're really dirty.

I'll also add, pick up a couple of the micro-fiber cloths from the store - they can usually be found in the auto parts section in Wal-Mart, etc - and use them to clean your album before dropping the needle.  Does a great job, and the cloths are washable.
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: Anders on November 04, 2011, 12:11:19 AM
Sure you can improve (or worsen) the sound of your system with tweaks.
If you really want to improve your system then have your components modified.

Just a lil plug for me and my mods :)
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: SunnyDaze on November 04, 2011, 12:38:36 AM
I agree with Tommy K. I use a micro fiber rag lightly moistened with 50% rubbing alcohol to clean vinyl. It doesn't leave behind any fuzzies and it gets most of the dirt.
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: Bunni on November 04, 2011, 01:27:26 AM
Sure you can improve (or worsen) the sound of your system with tweaks.
If you really want to improve your system then have your components modified.

Just a lil plug for me and my mods :)

Just a little plug for Anders and his mods :)
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: Bunni on November 04, 2011, 01:28:08 AM
Plug too
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: bmwr75 on November 04, 2011, 09:51:04 AM
Use Magic Eraser to clean stylus needles.  Just dip the needle into the Magic Eraser using the cueing lever.  Do not drag the Magic Eraser across the needle.
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: Reverend on November 04, 2011, 10:28:48 AM
Great Tweak:

If you sit on your hand until it goes numb....oops, wrong forum.   :laugh:
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: Sir Thrift-a-Lot on November 04, 2011, 10:35:58 AM
Sure you can improve (or worsen) the sound of your system with tweaks.
If you really want to improve your system then have your components modified.

Just a lil plug for me and my mods :)

I'm saving my pennies hoping to have you recap my Marantz 2230 at some point.   I don't trust my amateur skills with that one.
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: Sir Thrift-a-Lot on November 04, 2011, 10:37:43 AM
Oh, and in case anyone hasn't mentioned it, Magic Eraser works great for styli.
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: Bunni on November 04, 2011, 04:36:06 PM
Great Tweak:

If you sit on your hand until it goes numb....oops, wrong forum.   :laugh:

lol

I was gonna say something like Plant your corn early, but that's more of a tip than a tweak :)
Title: Re: Someone please, add a tweak here!
Post by: PewterTa on November 04, 2012, 06:40:09 PM
Biggest tweak that has made a VERY nice difference is to silver solder all the wires inside any units that use crimped connections on their wiring.  This has made a very dramatic sound difference in my system and the couple other systems I've done this too.  WKHanna like my cheaper amp I lent him while modding his amp so much he didn't want his amp back...until he heard his amp... then he was all  :D