Just cleaned up the binding posts on the MC2120. Used deoxit, made em shine. Then I added some nice connectors on the speaker wire, cleaned up the connections on the speaker and tried it out. To my amazement the sound is more present, and detailed. My floating sweet spot has remained solid.

Thanks to all you guys and your disscussions and help. My system sounds better than I thought it ever could. Particular shout out to Terry for refurbishing the 6100. Ron C. on guidance in amp selections, and AC for sending a sweet sounding unit.

AK is an amazing place. Thanks:thmbsp:

It is a good idea to clean up all the connections in your system on a regular basis. I call it a system tune up and do it about once a year. Don't forget to clean up the interconnects and power cables.

Once everything is cleaned up you may get another noticeable improvement. This can be a lot of work but it is worth it. :music:

speaking of interconnects, do you think going from good RCA interconnects to balanced interconnects will make a big difference ?:scratch2:

speaking of interconnects, do you think going from good RCA interconnects to balanced interconnects will make a big difference ?:scratch2:

Sometimes yes sometimes no. I usually recommend using balanced interconnects with equipment that is internally balanced and using RCA interconnects with unbalanced equipment. So for your system I would stay with RCA interconnects.

Balanced interconnects can fix some problems in unbalanced systems. If you have long cable runs (over 10 feet) or if you are picking up interference in your system, balanced interconnects could make major improvements in any system.

If you get the chance borrow some balanced interconnects and do some comparisons.

Sometimes yes sometimes no. I usually recommend using balanced interconnects with equipment that is internally balanced and using RCA interconnects with unbalanced equipment. So for your system I would stay with RCA interconnects.



The problem though, is that that vast majority of equipment with balanced outputs or inputs is actually single-ended through the audio circuitry.

So, in most (but not all) cases the balanced input/output drivers are merely additional circuits tacked on to the beginning and end of a single-ended design. In these cases (which again is most) using RCA cables will have the least additional circuits in the signal path. If noise problems that can be solved by using balanced interconnects are present, and cannot be handled by quality RCA interconnects, then there might be an improvement expected.

One thing to consider is that the volume generally goes up when switching from RCA connection to balanced because of the higher (~2x) voltage of the balanced signal. So, there is always the possibility of perception of an improvement due to the higher volume per a given volume control position.

What about inside the RCA inputs? Use a pipe cleaner with DeOxit?

What about inside the RCA inputs? Use a pipe cleaner with DeOxit?
Yes but you need to be careful and use a very small pipe cleaner. Inside most RCA jacks it is just a U shaped contact. You don't want to stretch that U and cause a poor connection. I have also used Q-tips with most of the cotton pulled off to make it small enough.

Speaking of Deoxit. Is there a major chain that carries it? I had to order mine on the net and pay for shipping, I would like to lower the cost of this stuff some.

It is a good idea to clean up all the connections in your system on a regular basis. I call it a system tune up and do it about once a year. Don't forget to clean up the interconnects and power cables.

Once everything is cleaned up you may get another noticeable improvement. This can be a lot of work but it is worth it. :music:

Never even considered cleaning the power cables.
When you clean an interconnect (I assume that is the input connections) do you clean only the inside of the female? All my interconect cables are new but I will keep this in mind.

I clean the entire connector. Just be careful and don't used any thing abrasive. I usually use Q-tips. Almost all of these connectors are plated and if you wear/clean off the plating it will corrode MUCH faster.

You could also just unplug and plug everything back in every few months. This will improve the connections. Yes, even the power cables.

Partsexpress.com carries DeoxIT in all forms.

I use DeoxIT cleaning brushes for the inside of RCA jacks. Works like a charm.