Priorities

[magiccarpetride]

I've been thinking about my audio gear priorities for 2011. I'm just awaiting the delivery of the Gator board for my Caiman, as well as the Belkin interconnects. Once they arrive and I put them in, I will reevaluate my system, and if it turns out that these upgrades made sizeable improvements, I'll be jumping into more elaborate upgrades.

At this point, I'm thinking of doing the following:

1. Speaker stands/spikes for my Magnepan planar speakers
2. Upgrades to speaker cables
3. Upgrades to the digital coaxial cable (I'm making a leap of faith here and assuming that the Belkin interconnects will hit the spot)
4. Mains power cleanup & conditioning (trying something like the Shunyata products)
5. Dampening and isolating vibrations from my electronic components (whatever that means, like using wood blocks positioned underneath the DAC etc.)

Each of the above should be a sub-thousand bucks mod (I'm actually hoping for a sub-five hundred bucks mods). The question is -- how to prioritize the above list? What would be the biggest bang for the buck, and what would be the quickest way to reach the sweet spot, meaning approximating the audio heaven on a cheap-ass budget?

Your input is mucho appreciated!

[Reid Malenfant]

If i was you i'd concentrate on the speakers to start with ;) if i remember right the stand is just a couple of steel legs?

One problem is the tail wagging the dog trick :eyebrows: The diaphram on the Maggie may be light in mass but it'll still move the panel, even if it's just slightly.

what i'd do is make a nice box for a base (maybe with cones or spikes) & fill it full of sand & lead shot. Bolt the panels to it & then put a reinforcing rod from the back of the box to the top of the panel ;)

Just like this :eyebrows: 3340

[Rare Bird]

I've been thinking about my audio gear priorities for 2011. I'm just awaiting the delivery of the Gator board for my Caiman, as well as the Belkin interconnects. Once they arrive and I put them in, I will reevaluate my system, and if it turns out that these upgrades made sizeable improvements, I'll be jumping into more elaborate upgrades.

At this point, I'm thinking of doing the following:

1. Speaker stands/spikes for my Magnepan planar speakers
2. Upgrades to speaker cables
3. Upgrades to the digital coaxial cable (I'm making a leap of faith here and assuming that the Belkin interconnects will hit the spot)
4. Mains power cleanup & conditioning (trying something like the Shunyata products)
5. Dampening and isolating vibrations from my electronic components (whatever that means, like using wood blocks positioned underneath the DAC etc.)

Each of the above should be a sub-thousand bucks mod (I'm actually hoping for a sub-five hundred bucks mods). The question is -- how to prioritize the above list? What would be the biggest bang for the buck, and what would be the quickest way to reach the sweet spot, meaning approximating the audio heaven on a cheap-ass budget?

Your input is mucho appreciated!

Well thats a short one this time

;)

[bigmarty]

You guys rip me up,

I don't post very often but I do check out at least twice a day and the Art of Sound is by far my favourite HIFI Forum by a long shot, my New Years resolution for 2011 is to post at least once a week and take a more active part in the 'Art community'

All the best and a Happy hogmanay and a guid New Year when it comes.........


Marty :)

[bigmarty]

Happy New Year



Marty

[goraman]

After owning soundlab pannels and knowing a lot of electrostate guys,they all say the same thing mass at the bass and spikes!
Lead shot bags work well.
The added speed and dynamics will amaze you.

[Mr Pig]

I've got four levels of Mana go in. Really cool as it's hard to come by these days.

Other than that, I'm not planing on changing anything at all. The new Mana should keep me amused for quite a while :0)

[Marco]

Indeed! :eyebrows:

I'll pop those stickers in the post on Tuesday :)

Marco.

[Mr Pig]

I'll pop those stickers in the post on Tuesday.

Fang queue :0) I've not done those copies yet. Got the CDs in a pile though so that I remember which ones it is. I'll get Tristan to do them.

[Marco]

Yer welcome - enjoy! :)

Marco.