Tech Tips
PS Audio Learning Center
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Absorb and diffuse
If you're sitting fairly close to the wall behind you (if it's within 4-6 feet), it's good practice to diminish the first reflections from the main speakers that return from the rear wall. These reflections tend to smear articulation, add unwanted colorations, and mess with your musical enjoyment.
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Achieving precise volume
'Good enough' simply isn't-at least when you're setting the volume for a piece of music. Learn to recognize the point where the music speaks to you, and make sure you play it there.
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It sounds better at night!
Most audiophiles have noticed this phenomenon. There are many conjectures of why this is so, here are a few.
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Avoid glare
If you have a window on the wall at the end of the room where your speakers are located, when you're listening in the daytime, use drapes, shades or whatever it takes to reduce the light streaming in as you face the speakers.
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AC power cords DO make an improvement if they are “right for the job”
As you will no doubt read in many areas of this web site, the quality of the AC power coming out of the wall is important to your system's performance. If you can't get it out of the wall properly, you are handicapped from the very beginning of the chain.
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Demagnetize your CDs!
It probably sounds pretty goofy, but actually a lot has been written about this in the legitimate audio press, and best of all, it works! Even though CD's and DVD's are not magnetic in any way, using an inexpensive bulk tape eraser, easily purchased at Radio Shack for less than $20, you can make a significant improvement in the way your CD's and DVD's sound.
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Improve your center image
A properly executed center image will be nearly palpable as if you could reach out and touch the image. To achieve this lifelike palpability, it may be necessary to slightly reposition your speakers.
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Speaker cables can make quite a difference
Typically the longest connection in our AV system is between the receiver or power amplifier and the loudspeaker. The quality of this connection can play a large part in the way your system sounds. We would first recommend that you purchase high quality Audiophile speaker cables to make sure this connection is handled properly. However, these can range from several dollars per foot to several thousand dollars per foot.
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VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle) on the turntable is very important
If you are using a turntable for phonograph records as many still are, make sure your VTA is adjusted correctly, it can make a huge difference in the way your records sound.
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Keep digital isolated from analog
There are two truths in today's world of digital audio: at some point the digital audio must be converted to analog so you can hear it, and digital and analog devices should be kept apart from each other. Their separation is recommended from both a physical and an electrical standpoint because their very different nature of operation can cause audible interference.
