Discussion
Following a recent thread regarding the "benefits" of Bi-Wiring and many posters saying they could not hear any difference in sound. I thought it may be useful to tap into the collective PH resourse and ask which AV system tweeks people HAVE had success when optimising their systems.
I'll start with my 2p worth...........
1. Sounds obvious but check that drive units, spikes, terminal screws and wire connections are all as tight, level, stable and secure as they can be. Chipboard, MDF and drive unit gaskets will have compressed since the speakers left the production line. Tightening again can make a big difference. Take care not to overtighten and strip the screws
2. Experiment with angling speakers inwards more than usual and sit closer to the speakers if possible. This will reduce the influence of early room reflections, this is generally held to be a good thing.
3. Check to see if there is any corrosion / oxidistion on the bare wires of speakers cables. Strip back to clean if necessary ~ the oxide is an insulator. Costs nothing and usually has audible benefits.
4. If you play music at high volume ~ try decoupling the CD player you use from the support it sits on. A partially inflated bike inner tube ( BMX or smaller ) works well by limiting structure borne vibrations being fed to the CD transport. Some players are designed to sink vibrations into their stand, shelf, rack etc so the inner tube shouldn't work for them but for less than the cost of a pint its worth a try on lower cost players. Has always worked when I've tried.
5. Biggest improvement of all.......Try to have a listen very late at night or in the early hours if possible ~ mains is much cleaner after most are asleep and not using "sparky" kettles, light switches, switch mode power supplies etc. Benefits if you live in a noisy mains area are much much lower background noise. Try putting a CD on pause with volume turned well up and listen for background hash during the day and try again in the early hours. If you live somewhere noisy a good mains conditioner should help you ; if you live somewhere quiet then you're not going to hear much difference, if at all. I live in Huntingdon and will be getting a PS Audio PPP when funds allow.......
I'll start with my 2p worth...........
1. Sounds obvious but check that drive units, spikes, terminal screws and wire connections are all as tight, level, stable and secure as they can be. Chipboard, MDF and drive unit gaskets will have compressed since the speakers left the production line. Tightening again can make a big difference. Take care not to overtighten and strip the screws
2. Experiment with angling speakers inwards more than usual and sit closer to the speakers if possible. This will reduce the influence of early room reflections, this is generally held to be a good thing.
3. Check to see if there is any corrosion / oxidistion on the bare wires of speakers cables. Strip back to clean if necessary ~ the oxide is an insulator. Costs nothing and usually has audible benefits.
4. If you play music at high volume ~ try decoupling the CD player you use from the support it sits on. A partially inflated bike inner tube ( BMX or smaller ) works well by limiting structure borne vibrations being fed to the CD transport. Some players are designed to sink vibrations into their stand, shelf, rack etc so the inner tube shouldn't work for them but for less than the cost of a pint its worth a try on lower cost players. Has always worked when I've tried.
5. Biggest improvement of all.......Try to have a listen very late at night or in the early hours if possible ~ mains is much cleaner after most are asleep and not using "sparky" kettles, light switches, switch mode power supplies etc. Benefits if you live in a noisy mains area are much much lower background noise. Try putting a CD on pause with volume turned well up and listen for background hash during the day and try again in the early hours. If you live somewhere noisy a good mains conditioner should help you ; if you live somewhere quiet then you're not going to hear much difference, if at all. I live in Huntingdon and will be getting a PS Audio PPP when funds allow.......
Edited by Crackie on Tuesday 20th December 17:07
Good tips those. 
Getting a couple of squash balls, slicing them in half and using them as feet for your CD player can work too, although I have to say the best pound for pound upgrade I have ever made was purchasing 'three' oak coned feet for the player. The sound tightened up an incredible amount, I was really stunned at the improvement of what was only about £20 or so.
Whether it was mostly down to the type of wood or the fact that 'three' feet will always find a perfect level as apposed to four which may not, I don't know, but I can highly recommend it.
Getting a couple of squash balls, slicing them in half and using them as feet for your CD player can work too, although I have to say the best pound for pound upgrade I have ever made was purchasing 'three' oak coned feet for the player. The sound tightened up an incredible amount, I was really stunned at the improvement of what was only about £20 or so.
Whether it was mostly down to the type of wood or the fact that 'three' feet will always find a perfect level as apposed to four which may not, I don't know, but I can highly recommend it.
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