Comments on: How to Improve the Sound of Your Stereo System for Less Than $100

on 11/22/2005 Try to get 18 inches of space between power lines and audio lines. If they have to intersect, do it at a 90 degree angle.

on 11/22/2005 Using a line condintioner on your AC line can often protect equpiment, and in many cases, improve sound.

on 11/22/2005 Try and keep all sound transfer cables away from electronic sources or other wires - interference and distortion can result, especailly with antennas.

on 11/22/2005 Coiling a cable creates an electromagnetic field which will influence the frequency response of a piece of equipment (component, spkr, etc.) Cable runs should be kept as straight as possible, don't have any turns exceeding 90 degrees.

on 11/22/2005 It is very important to read the owner's manual carefully to determine what kind of speakers should be used. Make sure to match the power load & impedence correctly to get effecient performance. The "best" speakers aren't always the best for your system.

on 11/22/2005 Your article says to place speakers 2 ft. from back & side walls. Not sure what you mean. You can increase bass response by placing bass speakers in corners. Each adjacent surface increases perceived bass response by 3 dB. (3 surfaces = 9 dB. Cost: $0!!)

on 11/22/2005 When recording from CD to
cassette, DISCONNECT all but needed units. When erasing,(cassettes) disconnect all but needed units as well.
Do these things,and you won't
have "ghosts".

on 11/22/2005 Never ever touch the lens on your CD player with anything other than air, (no liquids)! Do it carefully, lowering the stream of air across lens, not directly on it. The springs holding lens are delicate and can be bent or broken easily.

on 11/22/2005 Put some clean, dry sand in a sealable plastic bag. Place the bag on top of your CD player or amp. Place a soft cloth or tissue under the bag on your amp. The sand will absorb some of the vibrations from the case.

on 11/22/2005 People often ignore polarity when connecting speakers. The "wisdom" is that the speaker will work no matter how the connection is made, but reversing the polarity on one speker can lead to phase cancellation and terrible sound.

on 11/22/2005 Clean the LPs to get better sound. Hold the old LPs under a gentle flow of water, rub around with a cotton ball to clean the groove going in same direction as the needle. Place on soft, lent-free towel and allow to dry.

on 11/22/2005 By using a black permanent marker, blacken the edge of your CD. This will help keep the laser on the CD.