My room is rather large,but the speakers are up to the task.
Some sidewall treatment and some ASC tube traps,so the room is not too dead.
Power to all gear is from dedicated lines, amps on a separate line.
Furutech products have been a real improvement opening up the amps.As are upgraded fuses( Iso Cleans,HiFi, AMR)
The speaker/amps maybe old but they have been modded and to my ears(compared to other systems I've used in this room)they are on par with systems costing much more than I can afford.
The Lightspeed Attenuator is great also in the clarity dept.
Well spoken Lacee! Once I have established the basis for my system (loudspeakers and matching amp and that took many years, upstream devices), I have gone through some iterations to improve power, cabling, isolation and, as far possible, room treatment (WAF). During the iterations, I made upgrades to the components. It is a merry go round that I am happily sitting in as the journey is fun to be.
Going to select dealers and audio shows provides good reference points.
Just about everything has some kind of influence on the sound. I noticed differences with room treatment. Sourced from GIK in the form of 4 tri corner traps, and two full bass traps and ASC and DIY on walls. Next and of the same importance was anything I did to improve the power to my system. This includes dedicated lines, power cords, power cord receptacles, wall plugs,fuses and wire. Then a really good equipment rack for your gear.
It was only when I went this three-way route,that I started to really hear my system.
If more people tuned into this, I think there would be less instances of comments like" I never heard a difference".
I believe it's hard to tell one upgrade from the last if the system is restricted in any of the three areas mentioned above.
Unfortunately, new amps or speakers are always first on everyone's fix it list.
I have upgraded my 3 IEC to Furutech FI 48( 2 for the amps, 1 for the cd). I run all three dedicated lines from the panel direct to the gear with just the IEC connector at the end of each line and plugged directly into the component. The upgraded IEC made a big difference,that I didn't think was possible, because I thought going direct from the panel to the gear on 3 separate lines was about as good as it gets.
But all things can be improved as experience has shown me over the years.
Another major improvement was to replace some WBT type RCA for some Furutech CF 102 R Rca plugs.
This just upped the ante.
Music sound so much less artificial and more relaxed, lifelike but with added details that were masked by noisey artificats I didn't know were there.
It's hard not to use all the cliches that we always read about,but all the good stuff is now even better than before.
It wasn't cheap, but well worth it. There is no straining to hear if an improvemnt was made.It's very evident on every recording that I've played so far, and only in a few hours of listening to cd.
Next up is some vinyl, which always pleases. This should be a real treat.
I would suggest that anyone looking to swap out gear because they are tired of the sound of what they have, consider doing some connector upgrades to the wires they are now using and then have another listen before they decide to switch power amps etc. And by all means, run direct lines if you can into each component, at the least, isolate any digital gear on a separate line.
The Acoustat tube servo amps' IEC's have been replaced with the top of the line from Furutech,as was the RCA, and the fuses were upgraded to HiFI supreme or AMR -both are an improvement over stock.
Nothing special at the panel except to run 20 amp breakers for the dedicated lines which are # 10 Romex.
Someday I plan to try some of the panel mods others have had success with. I already use the Q stick on things on my fuses, power amps ,and tonearm,next would be at the panel.
I think you will enjoy the sound running direct from the panel to your gear,use the best IEC you can, and if you are handy, match them up with upgraded IEC on the gear.
Nice system! Saw in a nother post your dedicated lines bypass wall outlets and power cords, and the gear ends are terminated with upgraded IECs. I'm about to install dedicated lines myself and have contemplated this very method to: a) save money; b) obtain the best IEC connectors I can afford with the money saved on eschewing outlets, covers, and power cords; c) least connectors -> optimal electical path. 1. Did you also verify or replace the IEC connectors in your gear as well? 2. Have you done anything special at the power panel?
A Naim CDX 2(I believe) and before that an Audio Aero Capitole. Without an added power supply for the Naim, I never felt I got the full benefit of the player.To add one that was as expensive as the player was too costly.
All the players were roughly in the same price range,the Esoteric player to my ears is a nice balance of the best of the other two players, with the benefit of SACD.
Someday I'll take some shots,since I may not be making any more changes in the forseeable future.
