Great value upgrades

[saif]

I know the old "snake-oil" arguments with some pieces of hi-fi but I went to Tesco t'other day to buy a granite chopping board to pop under my amp. Surprisingly, it made a huge difference to the sound and the CD player sounds much much better imho. I never believed it would make a huge difference but it is very clearly a better system after the addition of a ?10 chopping board.

Anyone else tried some of these leftfield improvements?

[kernow]

I have granite slabs underneath my speakers (on spikes). I've heard its because the components in your amp and cd player, are microphonic, meaning they pick up vibration and turn it into distortion that comes out of your speakers. it all gets a bit much when you see items such as 'cable lifters' though.

I say for a tenner its worth a pop, I wouldn't mind trying some oak cone feet for my seperates, but I don't know if I could tell the difference really. If I removed my expensive speaker cable and interconnects, could I tell the difference too? hmm.

edit: I only have my speakers on slabs because it actually works, theres a marked difference in bass tightness and overall sound, but I think thats because of the dodgy floorboards mainly.

[kernow]

.. Lifts them above the 'electromagnetic field' that sits on the floor £65 for 8 haha

[charlesr]

Is that for real? lol.

I've got some audioserenity spike shoes for my speakers and sub. But only so the spikes don't damage the floor.

I can't say I go for any of the weird stuff, like expensive power blocks or egg boxes on walls.

Best cheap upgrades were slightly off topic, but I'll list em anyway:
Logitech Harmony - controls everything. Aces. Wife friendly remote at last.
Secondary amp to drive speakers in kitchen and lounge (marantz with dual output), with JBL Control ONE cheapy cheapy monitors.

[kernow]

oh yes, thats real, and theres far worse 'upgrades' than that, some are just plain ridiculous. I stopped reading a catalogue I was getting sent monthly because they started selling cd lathes which cut a bevel into the edge of the CD to minimize internal lazer reflection inside the player, and cable lifters, and some ridiculous mains purifiers and cd wipe tissues and stuff. blech

A fool and his money are soon departed.

[Brad]

A fool and his money are soon departed.

Fools die soon?

[kernow]

erm

BEHOLD

http://www.1388.com/articles/chris_report/09_pavane.htm

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/06/snake-oil-alert.html

^ haha, with cable direction too. jesus

[abigsmurf]

£100 gold plated HDMI cables!

Also, you can improve your ADSL connection (in some cases) by disconnecting the 'ring' circuit. The part that provides the power to make older phones ring. Most phones don't use it now but having a current running through a wire next to ones carrying data can degrade the signal. Eventually BT notice the improvement to your line and boost it's rated speed which in turn boosts your ADSL. That's the theory anyhow...

[NeilMcRae]

and if there is a power cut and someone tries to use your phone to call 999... it doesn't work. I would strongly advise that people don't do this.

[abigsmurf]

What? I've never heard of that happening, nor have I read any mention of it.

The ring circuit is high voltage designed for power hungry mechanical bell ringing mechanisms, as far as I'm aware modern phones don't use it at all and aren't designed to. I believe microfilters don't even connect the ring circuit to the phone and most new houses only use 2 wire phone systems.

[Alex_976]

My dad cut out some holes in the back of his speakers and the sound quality was suprising better.

[dvdx2]

My dad cut out some holes in the back of his speakers and the sound quality was suprising better.

i'll get me 'acksaw out then

[saif]

Bass ports, speakers often have holes in the back - mine do anyway.

[concretesnail]

Bass ports, speakers often have holes in the back - mine do anyway.

usually ports can be found where cabinet design gas differing internal structures. and if you want a really cheap 'upgrade' try this, i have amd was extreme suspect at first but i really does make a difference.

take a normal standard 13amp plug (fuse not needed)
two crocodile clips
two equal lenghs of earth cable (copper single core)

tin-up the croc clips to one end of either cable. tin the other ends together and fit to the earth pin of the plug. clip a croc clip to pne of the spikes of each speaker and pu the plug in an empty socket.

like i said i was a massive doubter but after trying it i was blown away with the difference it could make, especally if your speakers have a metal structure as part of the cabinet, body frame.

i have tried this only quite a few systems now and it really does work. it works with active systems and passive setups too. and if you have seen my set-up on the forum you know hifi is a passion of mine, with a lot of time and investment going in.

[charlesr]

What's the theory here? And how does any benefit manifest?