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To tweak, or not to tweak ? - Tom Nousaine

198.78.58.196

I came upon this intresting article in a Stereo Review magazine..that I apparently overlooked. There was a very very intresting article written by Tom Nousaine called 'To tweak, or not to tweak ?' in Stereo Review's June 1998 issue.

He apparently gathered up a listening panel and did a A and B ( or as he calls it Tweak and Geek system) test. With a system of massive difference in price.

The tweak system composed of : PS Audio Digital Link II outboard D/A convertor, Musical Design SP-1 vaccum tube preamplifier, Bryston 4 B-NRB power amplifier, Tributaries Silver interconnects and Monster Cable Sigma 2.2s speaker cables. COST : $ 5000

The geek system composed of : Heathkit AP-1615 pre amp (homemade preamp ?), Parasound HCA-800 II power amp, zipcord interconnects and 16 gauge zip cord. COST: $300

He used the same CD player and speakers for both the systems , which were Marantz CD-63 and PSB Stratus Mini loudspeakers respectively.

Anyhow...the tweak system was in addition properly tweaked (solid rack, vibration isolations devices, warmed up, cable elevated from floor...the works). The geek system...nothing.

A lot of other things were done (which I have no time to write right now :) ).

The whole system was hidden from view from the listening panel with only the speakers exposed. Listeners listend and for the most part could not hear a difference and if they did notice a differnce they opted to the geek system !!! :? The panel had a mix of hardcore audio philes, musicians, teachers etc...

Now thats wierd...

I have no access to form such a test and get equipment like that. But I would 'think' that the tweak system would kill the geek system. But I guess not...

I mean what Tom concluded that the speakers and speaker placement was the most crucial thing for sound 'improvement'. Cables, interconnets, amps, preamps, tweaks...do nothing to the sound. Thats what I assumed with his wordings.

Very intresting...the magazine should be available at your local library.

Tell me what you 'audiophiles' think :)


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  Kimber Kable  

Topic - To tweak, or not to tweak ? - Tom Nousaine - Mohammed 15:06:04 07/24/99 (121)
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