My very modest system

[Alex_UK]

Well, you needed an experienced expert Guru to "show you the one true way."

Indeed - thank goodness I don't live near Wrexham otherwise I'd be struggling to fit two tatty old wardrobes in my living room!

On a slightly more serious note, I suspect the problem of "isolation" in this hobby is one we all suffer to some extent - no one other than non-hifi mates & family has ever listened to my system - one of the beauties of AoS as a community is that it enables us nutters to meet each other and as in this case, pass on tips. But I'm still not sending you any money Dave!

[Reid Malenfant]

Indeed - thank goodness I don't live near Wrexham otherwise I'd be struggling to fit two tatty old wardrobes in my living room!

[Alex_UK]

Well, as I have posted elsewhere, I have lost the battle with the Boss and we are having a new wood floor fitted this week. Mind you, I got to choose the wood, and she's paying, so not all bad! (American Black Walnut in case your interested - fantastic grain, although it will darken the room quite dramatically, I suspect.)

Anyway, I digress, as usual. So, in preparation, the room has been partially cleared, and I've taken down all the hifi, and just left myself with CD Player, amp and speakers to tide me over until the room needs to be totally cleared for ceiling painting tomorrow night. Spinning a few tunes, but my goodness it sounds rubbish - well, compared to how it did at any rate - "thin and narrow" is probably the best description. Now, this can really only be down to 2 things - lack of Caiman, and/or lack of Pure-AV PF30 mains thingy. My guess is its the Caiman, as I didn't notice much of an improvement with the mains filtering, as a newish house with good wiring.

I think I am going to have to go and retrieve and reinstall the Caiman just to see if it really does make such a big difference, or if its psychological... Interesting though - sometimes you have to go backwards to see how far forwards you've gone, if that makes any sense.

[MartinT]

If I had to shrink down dramatically, my Caiman would remain in my arsenal of must-haves. A life saver.

[Alex_UK]

Caiman back in situ - not that I had any doubt, but if there was even a hint that the Caiman does not make a MASSIVE difference then I've just dispelled that myth for myself. Interesting experiment, though - you get so used to something without really realising how much of an improvement it was until you go back - I know a few people have suggested this is a good way to evaluate a change to see if it actually is an improvement, once the enthusiasm and possible placebo effect has had a chance to wear off - makes sense to do it, if you can be arsed to pull your system to bits again!

2 more things to try when I put it all back together - some of the Belkin interconnects, and I also want to reconnect my Audiolab 8000S as a power amp only, with the Creek as a pre, to see if that makes any difference. In theory the Creek is more powerful, (85W vs 65W RMS from memory) but separating the two duties might just make an improvement. We shall see.

[Alex_UK]

New floor fitted, decorated and new decor:

Hifi changes are purely the feet on the speakers (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showp...7&postcount=29) and I am trying my Audiolab 8000S in Power Amp mode with the Creek as a pre.

[Macca]

Like the new floor Alex - very classy

[Jac Hawk]

very nice mate, no dust, scatter cushions, photo's on display and cables all neat and tidy. Looks like it's had a womans touch are you sure your name isn't Alexandra

[MartinT]

Nice room, Alex. Just don't let the TV in the corner win

[Alex_UK]

Thanks chaps! I've managed to shove the TV even further into the corner Martin and I don't think she's noticed!

You're right Mike - I took a bit of persuading on the flowers, but otherwise a joint effort on choosing colours etc.