Simple, effective way to improve The Sound
Posted by: Tarquin Maynard - Portly on 30 September 2002
Spent sunday night rearranging the position of my system (82/HiCap/135s). I had previously left the 82 literally next to one of the 135s. It is now about a foot above it; the 135s have a slightly bigger space between them and the HiCap is now beneath the 135s next to the NAPSC. There is a Lingo between the 82 and 135s. The whole lot rests on Sound Org.
I could not beleive the improvement in sound gained by increasing the distance between the components. Sweeter, more liquid treble, firmer base, ( and more of it ) more natural delivery all round. I did notice the same effect with my entry level 62/140 but must admit to have forgotten about it. This I assume is a result of decreasing electromagnetic interference between compoments by increasing the space between them.
Give it a go, let me know what you think. I was stunned.
And no cost!
Posted on: 30 September 2002 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly
James
Good point; from your comments it may seem that increasing the space between pre/power is worth investigating....
Mike
Posted on: 30 September 2002 by plynnplynn
I have also been astounded by how much different I can make my system sound by putting different 'objects' between components and their supports.
My first trial involved putting a cushion under a HiCap. Among a number of obvious changes the bass became 'boomy' and diffuse. Putting three pieces of oak under the HiCap tightened up the bass as well as improving the top end.
I then did the cushion and oak trial on other components one by one then on all the components at the same time. Changes were apparent in all cases.
I have no doubt that I will in due course try lots of other types of 'supports' but at the moment I have all components sitting on shaped oak pieces and I am delighted with the improvement. The oak was left-over from a diy job in my house and so cost nothing.
As with the spacing of components experimenting with 'feet' for components can bring surprising results.
Terry
Posted on: 01 October 2002 by Rockingdoc
in my experience it is the orientation as well as the distance that matters, and I think this was the original point. Having a components, say 20 cm apart can sound worse if they are side by side rather than vertical in a rack. Thus, a source and power supply can sound worse on separate racks if sat next to each other, than they do the same distance apart on the same rack. Unfortunately there is no rule, trial and error, although you would expect the transformer's magnetic field to be predictable.
I have moved from two seperate racks, side by side, to stacking, because I get less noise through the phono stage that way.
Obviously in an ideal world, distance between components will cure everything, but a dozen separate Mana racks one metre apart isn't ideal in most homes.
Posted on: 01 October 2002 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly
Rockingdoc
May well be a vertical gap is the way to go; if I can figure out a space for the Lingo ( currently between the 82 and 135s ) may try it.
PlynnPlynn
interesting notes about oak; my Hicap currently on.....MDF.....may try for the posh effect
Liquidken
I'm still a new boy trying things out!
MIKE
Posted on: 01 October 2002 by Martin Payne
quote:
Originally posted by mike lacey:
May well be a vertical gap is the way to go; if I can figure out a space for the Lingo ( currently between the 82 and 135s ) may try it.
MIKE,
I understand that the magnetic fields from torroidal transformers (as used in Naim gear) are concentrated above and below.
This would contradict your statement.
However, it's worth noting that the transformers are on the right-hand side of wide-format boxes (next to the IEC input socket), so placing the unpowered component to the left will bring about sound improvements.
This would be relevant with 135s, but the HiCap tranny is pretty much in the middle of the box.
cheers, Martin (not a teacher).
Posted on: 02 October 2002 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly
Thanks Martin; strangely, the 82 was to the left of a 135. Maybe James' comment about unplugging leads monthly could be one reason; I still suspect that increasing the gap between units will be effective as I used to move my 62/140 combo around without turning it off. But I always have lived life on the edge...
Mike
( not a pupil! )
