what have you done to scratch that itch to upgrade that didn't cost a lot?

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  • jeremymarcinko
    jeremymarcinko Posts: 3,785
    edited February 2014
    Checked and releveled my turntable. Big improvement considering how unlevel it was.
    Oh, Listen here mister. We got no way of understandin' this world. But we got as much sense of this bird flyin in the sky. Now there is a lot that bird don't know, but it don't change the fact that the world is happening to him all the same. What I am tryin to say is, is that the course of your life, well its changing, and you don't even see it- Forest Bondurant
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,416
    edited February 2014
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    Depends how much you're willing to change. I myself am in the middle of a net/net zero additional cash "upgrade". My plan is to replace my USB converter, DAC, and tube preamp with an all-in-one unit that costs less, then apply the saving + cost of my amp to a new tube amp or monos. Not positive that it will sound better, but it will certainly sound different, and I'll learn a lot in the process!

    Here's what the before and after will look like:

    Before:

    USB Converter: Stello U3
    DAC: Audio GD NFB-7
    Preamp: Audio Research LS-15
    Amp: BAT VK-500

    After:

    Pre/DAC: McIntosh D-100, Classe CP-800, or PS Audio PerfectWave mkii
    Amp(s): ARC-VS115, BAT-VK75, Carver Cherry 180's, or other

    I like that I'm going to a simpler solution. Hopefully it will sound better too!


    The 180's are a nice way to go, sir. I would be happy to help you hunt down a pair when you are ready
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,802
    edited February 2014
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    Hookers and blow...
    Not so inexpensive (you get what you pay for, y'know?)
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  • sk88
    sk88 Posts: 159
    edited February 2014
    Many simple things have been mentioned already. One thing that has made a difference to me is get a can of dust off air spray in your hand, open up your amp (or any other electronic device to that matter) if you haven't done so in 5 years, and blow away all the dust from all the components inside as much as you can. At the same time, hold a can of DeOxit in your other hand and spray on any wire or pin joints you can find inside as well.
    • Online - Focal Solo6 BE, Polk PSW10, Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 DSP, Lenovo x220t
    • Music/HT - Lsi25, Lsi9 (Vr3), Lsi7, LsiC, Pioneer SC-68 & BDP-62FD, PS3
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited February 2014
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    Hookers and blow...

    Thats more then some people spend on their entire systems LOL

    Sudafed and or ears cleaned out does wonders as well!
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2014
    Mr. Grand has pretty much nailed it, IMO.

    But my favorite tweak is to just wait for "atmospheric conditions" to change. People might think me Mad, but my gear actually sounds "different" depending on things like relative humidity, etc. But then again, my sinuses also respond in a very very sensitive manner to that as well.

    I am much more prone to spend a rainy day sulking to Chopin. Then read some delusional Nietzsche at night (you know, that Will to Power kinda stuff--then sleep, perchance to Dream).

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • oldrocker
    oldrocker Posts: 2,590
    edited February 2014
    Strange but true.
    Been fighting a sinus infection/cold for some time, finally broke down and went to the Doc. Happened to mention my love of audio and how the sound on the right channel seemed different. He took a look at my ears and discovered the sinus infection had caused inflamation next to my right ear drum and the swelling had "lodged" a piece of ear wax in a bad spot. Nurse came in, did a warm water solution rinse. Needless to say, I had the nurse make a note in my medical file to always do an ear examine when I'm in for all my next visits. Best $35.00 bucks I've spent so far as the tunes are warming the evening here...:)
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited February 2014
    Oldrocker it really does make a huge difference! Small things we forget about. Funny we spend time cleaning records, or upgrading sources but forget about our own body parts that do the listening.
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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