Could your system sound better? What if you could improve it without spending a dime? If you'd like to enhance your musical enjoyment, and do it without a "wallet biopsy", you need to listen...
31 Years = 31 Secrets?
Have you ever met someone who has "30 years of experience", but you just know he learned the same year's worth of stuff over and over for thirty years? He knew so much that he hasn't learned anything new in the past 29 years?
Well, I've got a different kind of 30 year story to tell you. These 31 Secrets to Better Sound came slowly (sometimes the hard way) from over 30 years of solid high-end audio installation and live music recording experience. After hearing the results, clients and staff often asked, "Why don't you write that stuff down?"
Frankly, I never thought it was any big deal. But as the years have gone by, there' still not much that's been said or written about some of these topics. Finally, the time seemed right...
16 acclaimed pages of FREE helpful hints
Are you serious about your sound? Then, you're likely to find 31 Secrets to Better Sound to be pretty good advice. In general, it's applicable to almost every system, at all levels.
If you're an advanced audiophile and music lover, you may already know about a couple of these tips. But, there's bound to be several that you'll definitely want to take advantage of.
What do you know?
Here's just a few of the topics you'll learn about, taken from the index on the back page of 31 Secrets to Better Sound.
Part One - "Optimizing your System's Performance"
1 Should you be sour on a wide "Sweet Spot"?
2 How to fine tune your tonal balance with stereo separation and toe-in
4 A simple three-step speaker installation technique for satisfying results
7 Where NOT to place your components
13 All about bi-amping
25 Vinyl and VTA
Part Two - "Thinking Outside the Box"
30 Is wide dispersion a good idea?
31 Is digital room "correction" really a good thing?
Get yours, including our TOP 130 CD list...
*Call 800-944-9537 (this is an answering machine that will take your contact information), 770-777-2095 (during East-Coast business hours, this will usually get you a live person) or simply email us at your earliest convenience. We're sorry to inform you that, as part of our 68 page InfoPak, the Top 130 CDs, a private letter from Jim, descriptive Avantgarde literature and a dealer list, the sheer volume and format of the 31 Secrets mailing is prohibitive to electronic distribution. We'll gladly mail your copy the old-fashioned Postal Service way if you provide us with your mailing address.
Where else can you get useful, proven FREE audio advice that'll improve your musical enjoyment without having to spend a dime?
What they're saying about the 31 Secrets
Unsolicited responses from recipients:
Hi Jim,
I’m contacting you as the Editor of a monthly newsletter put out by an audiophile group here in Australia.
A few weeks back you sent your document “31 Secrets to Better Sound” to a member of our group, John A., in Queensland. As both an ARC and Maggie owner I found much good advice, confirmation of my prejudices (always good!), and some thought provoking discussion in the copy of “31 Secrets” that John sent on to me.
I would like to ask if I might excerpt “31 Secrets” – with full acknowledgment – in our “News & Views” newsletter.
Barrie S.
Editor
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Thank you for taking the time to send me a copy. It has been the most educational piece of audiophile literature I have ever read.
Jason C.
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Dear Jim:
I want to thank you for sending me the information on your beautiful Avantgarde speakers and the "31 Secrets To Better Sound".
I have been listening very happily for the last 11 years to a pair of (full range ribbon speakers). I was already biamped, so a few years ago I added a (15") sub along with the (active) crossover. It sounded great. Took some stress off the ribbons at below 80 Hz and revealed more low bass information. The (15" Sub) also seemed "quick" enough to keep up with the ribbons...it didn't get in the way, and brought something to the table.
Your Secret #26 really intrigued me, however. About a month ago, I purchased a second, matching (15" Sub) along with a second (active) crossover. I have them working in true two channel. What a dramatic difference! And, it has nothing to do with more bass...just cleaner, truer bass and imaging of all instruments and voice. You were dead right on that one.
By the way, I score pretty well on most of your 31 Secrets...
Again, thanks for the info.
Richard M.
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Dear Sir,
I've heard of your highly informative free booklet. As I'm presently kind of lost with bi-amping my current speakers, I'm really interested to find out more about this subject. And any other precious tips as well.
Best regards,
John S.
PS - As my amp will arrive in the next few days, on-line receipt would be preferable, but I want to thank you in advance for obtaining my 31 Secrets under any scenario.
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"...Your "31 secrets" was very well written and very informative. You are devoted to your craft. Keep up the good work..."
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"...Your mailing arrived a few weeks ago and I have now read it twice. It is really quite a nice accessory itself and reflects your considerable experience as well as effort at writing something clear and succinct ... it is a fine thing to find in the mail and to read and think about.
The information that ... (sorry, you'll have to get your own copy!) ... has more to do with sound than ... (sorry again) ... is worth its weight in gold --- for us with heavy speakers, wood floors, and spikes especially.
It was also nice to see that your writing did not contain overt marketing efforts for the Avantgardes, and in fact lent a considerable hand to planar speaker listeners.
I hope it does not take you as long to come up with the next 30 secrets, as I may not be around for it..."
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Many thanks Jim,
Read and digested! It's great to get so much experience in one spot. Having gotten back into this hobby after a 20 year absence and now able to afford some decent gear, I have learned many of your tips the hard way, but it's great to see the ideas confirmed and find some new ones (comes down to Physics, really)..."
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Hi Jim,
Thanks for sending me all the literature. I have been reading through it during my holidays, and have found it to be of great interest. So far the article about changing listening height is something I'm going to experiment with this week..."
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Hi.
Thanks for sending the info package. It's real good reading. I must tell you, I tried secret #18 with my Martin Logan SL3's and was quite blown away with the improvement. Everything just came into focus, bringing about big changes in tonality and imaging.
It's so satisfying when something that makes perfect sense in theory works out in practice! I also have experimented with #2, and have gained some benefit... "
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Gentlemen:
I wanted to say thank you for the 31 Secrets and other information that you sent me.
I have Magneplanar MG 10 speakers. I have found that getting these speakers vertical side-to-side helped the imaging. I never considered getting them vertical front to back, though, because of the way they are made. They lean back to start with and the adjustments on the base only cause them to lean back farther. I noticed, though, in an ad for the MG 1.6 speakers that they appear vertical in their normal set up.
Anyhow, the improvement in depth is really noticeable. There is clarity and solidity to the chorus or drummer in the back of the soundstage that wasn't there before. I never would have thought to try this on my own.
Finally, I have enjoyed your list of 127 CDs. I found that I had a number of them and am using the list as a resource as I buy new ones.
I have encouraged a friend of mine to send for your information. I think he will also find it very useful.
Again, thanks for all of the information..."
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Thank you for sending the "31 Secrets" and your excellent marketing material. I enjoyed everything: the "techie" white paper, the glossy brochure with pictures of the "horns" in real life homes, the thought provoking "31 Secrets" and, especially, your friendly cover letter.
The 130 CD list was a real treat. Thanks for the tip on "Tears of Stone". I am a big female vocalist fan and somehow missed this one. I was also glad to see Rob Wassermans' "Trios". I picked my copy up for $5 from a cutout bin. Some of the songs are great, but the well recorded, funky bass solos are the real find on this one. I hope to hear this CD on the Duos soon.
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Get yours, including our TOP 130 CD list...
*Call 800-944-9537 (this is an answering machine that will take your contact information), 770-777-2095 (during East-Coast business hours, this will usually get you a live person) or simply email us at your earliest convenience. We're sorry to inform you that, as part of our 68 page InfoPak, the Top 130 CDs, a private letter from Jim, descriptive Avantgarde literature and a dealer list, the sheer volume and format of the 31 Secrets mailing is prohibitive to electronic distribution. We'll gladly mail your copy the old-fashioned Postal Service way if you provide us with your mailing address.
