[marvda1]

What level of expectations are you looking for when you add new cables or tweaks to your system?

I know some look for improvement levels according to price of upgrade but the way i see it is i expect minor improvements but when you add them all ( multiple tweaks) together you get that elusive sound that you are looking for and that's where the big improvements come from.  You know, the system approach.

What do you think?

[Double Ugly]

I know some look for improvement levels according to price of upgrade but the way i see it is i expect minor improvements but when you add them all ( multiple tweaks) together you get that elusive sound that you are looking for and that's where the big improvements come from.  You know, the system approach.

I agree, Marvin. 

Probably the most complete 'tweak system' (for lack of a better phrase) I've used is from Star Sound Technologies (Audio Points, Sistrum racks, Micro-Bearing Conductive Steel Fill).  The effect was cumulative with each addition, but the "whole" was and is more profound than I expected from the sum of its parts.

Unfortunately, issues with certain members of Star Sound's management team prevent me from doing business with them any more, but I'll happily hold onto the products I already own until something bests them.

And for the record, I understand you meant the phrase "system approach" to reference to all tweaks applied to a system, not just those from a single manufacturer, but I still agree with your premise.

-Jim

[emac]

I agree.  Each tweak and cable change has made a subtle but noticeable difference (aside from using Jena Labs 3D-X treatment, which was much more prominent).  But the sum off all of these changes has made my system sound much better than before I started.  There were certain cd's, like Sound Tribe Sector 9's Artifacts, that I couldn't listen to before.  Now, they are enjoyable parts of my listening rotation.

[TONEPUB]

I also agree.

I notice with each vibration enhancement, power cord, power conditioner and interconnect, I get a touch here
a touch there and it just keeps getting better.  On a per dollar scale, I got more bang for the buck out of about
1200 bucks worth of room treatments, but it all helps.

One day just for laughs, I unplugged everything, put cheap RS interconnects in, stock power cords and plugged
straight into the wall.  The sound collapsed pretty significantly.