A cheap(ish) tweak to consider

Since my desired system upgrade to a 202/200 combo has now been pushed back until at least late summer, I decided that I might as well try some more of the sorbothane feet under my remaining components. I didn’t expect too much . . .

About a month ago I propped up my Nait 5 with some feet and immediately heard an improvement beyond my expectations. This time the improvements came in terms of instrumental and vocal distinctiveness, if you will, and improved solidity and focus. It very nicely complemented the improvements in clarity and detail I heard when I propped up my CDX.

Still not satisfied, I bought another set earlier this week and put them under my FlatCap 2. I was not really expecting that much of an improvement by supporting the power supply, but once they were in place I was astonished to hear (almost) the sound I’ve been searching for. The improvements came in terms of enhanced scale (everything sounds “larger”), improved control, decidedly deepened sound-stage, and just plain more music. My guess is that the improvements are cumulative throughout the system rather than attributable to just propping up the power supply.

All this from propping up components with energy absorbing feet. I was a bit surprised. I don’t want to make it sound as though I bought a new amp, but the improvements are definitely worth the not so little sum of $240. (At least each set can be purchased individually.) I’m not too into tweaks, counting just the sorbothane feet and the room damping I performed as tweaks, but these work wonderfully. When I do buy some new gear, I’m going to make sure that I have a set for each piece. Very highly recommended.

Don't you feel the shame of 'round earth' speak?

I should get herm on you.

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Originally posted by garyi:
Don't you feel the shame of 'round earth' speak?

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Not really. I can't think of a better way to describe what I hear. Keep in mind that I'm not talking about soundstage in the Levinson/Krell way, but rather in the like-I-hear-it-in-real-life way. (I wrote about that a few years back.)

quote:

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Originally posted by garyi:
I should get herm on you.

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Herman is a sissy. After his silly claim that Tchaikovsky's best is equal to Wagner's best I can't take him seriously in these matters.

Todd,

I am always up for trying to improve the sound of CD replay with cheap tweaks.

The most worthwhile of these for me so far are using Sorbothane substitute feet (old Mission Isoplat feet in my case) and laying a sorbothane turntable mat or similar on top of the players case (I've a Mission Sorbomat, Music Mat and a Platter Matter left over from TT tweaks gone by - always returned to felt).

With my Naim player (CD3-5/Flat) both of these have brought worthwhile results but, with lesser players (Rotel RCD855 and Mission PCM II) they offer even greater improvements (as do better interconnects).

In the case of the cheaper players, I put this down to the combination of dodgy build and internal disk clamping arrangements bypassing the mechs suspension (both Philips CDM4).

I also use 75 Ohm shorting plugs on S/PDIF equipped players as a matter of course, although the difference seems very subtle.

Keep on tweakin'

Craig

Here's one cheap tweak for Epos users esp. the older series...14/11/12/22.

Do periodically tighten the hex screws at the front. The screws will get loosen over time. Tightening it will improve the bass definition, clearer mids and thus you hear more details. In my setup, the improvement is almost as good as a hicap upgrade.

I can't see any hex screws on my epos es11's!!!..Where are they?

Mathew !

Been there, done that and believe me, tightening screws on Epos didn't improve sound like some says. I have had Epos ES12 and my friend 14 and we both didn't notice any improvement in sound.
But if you want to try, the screws are behind rubber caps on in corners of a front panel, but be careful, cos' you can break a plastic piece where screw sit.

Regards,

Ozren

I tried some "little feet" under my Planet 2000, and they killed the sound, like somone had "lowered the vale"!

I have since built a rigid isolation support, using MDF and Michell tenderfeet and cups, this has had the desired effect.

Perhaps Rega's own slightly squishy feet, are optimised for the CDP, and the "little feet" were not up to the job.

Interesting to see that you have had positive results with the "Big Feet".


Simon

Squishy feet made my CDX sound thick and lumpy. I was astonished how much difference it made. This is clearly not a universally good tweak.


Perhaps it depends on the rack or other set-up issues.

Bruce