Everyone wants to make their stereo sound better.

Obviously a stereo is only as good has its weakest link. So here are some tips to improve the quality of sound to ANY stereo system....

The type of interconnecting cables, or wires you use has a marked effect on system performance. Usually you will find when you buy a HI FI system, typically the portable/mini systems with the removable speakers, that the wires are only a few microns thicker than a follicle. Because of the diameter and quality (which are both lacking) these wires have, sound quality will be sacrificed.

It is difficult usually to fit a thicker type cable as it tends not to fit on the wire mounts when rolled up. In these situations though, even lamp cord is better.

Proper stereo systems (I don't believe much in portable,mini or 4-in-1 systems) have the same problems. If any of the cables are not high quality, including the cables between the audio source and amplifier, sound quality will suffer.

For between speakers and amplifiers get OFC (Oxygen-Free-Copper) cable, the thickest you can afford. Get at least 3 meters for each speaker, when you buy it. Don't buy JUST enough to reach. It's expensive, but if you change rooms or move house, you may find that you need more length.

The same goes for cable between the audio source (cd,tape,phono etc...) and the amplifier. Get the best quality interconnecting cable you can afford. If you budget is dead set, make your own. Gold RCA plugs can be expensive (the worst(?) I've seen are $4.50 each) as can the shielded audio cable, but it is cheaper and it's certainly a good start!

I compared a set of homemade ones with a set of STAX audio leads (they sell for about $50 each) and I couldn't notice a difference, although I did use the best shielded cable around (here) and it isn't cheap stuff.

Recordings are a critical part of a stereo systems. A good recording can make a good stereo sound like a great stereo, while a bad one can make a $50 000 system sound like a $1000. Quality of recording is extremely important.

Tapes have been around a long time. They have many advantages. They're compact, re-recordable and very portable. For critcal listening, however they just don't have the quality. Even a well recorded tape is limited by tape hiss. Units with noise reduction do help take out tape hiss, but they tend to kill the top end as well.

Also, as they are used and used....and used, they start to loose detail as the oxide is slowly worn away from the tape.

Compact discs have the advantage that the quality of music last longer and is not affected by use. Also, minor scratches don't immediately wreck them, like a LP would be wrecked.

However, just because it's a CD doesn't mean it's a good recording. One of the most blaze statments about CDs that I've heard is: CDs are so much better than tapes or LPs. In my opinion this just isn't true. Even a tape may have a better recording than a CD, so this would make the tape better.

However, CDs ARE certainly the cheapest way to get a good sound from a system. A player can be bought for a relatively cheap price; the cheapest starting at around $100, second-hand of course: about $200 new. In my opinion though, LPs reign supreme. The cost of getting good equipment however is probably why most people turn to CD players.

As far as recordings go, there is not a great deal that can be done. Recordings are, unfortunately, set in the studio, so about the only thing that can be done is to listen to it before you buy. Ask if you can take it home and try it, if you can. It may sound fine in the shop, but hopeless when you take it home. It is hard to make a good assessment of it when played in a shop.

A while ago there was a product out called a CD ring. This device (which was basically a plastic ring with tacky stuff on one side) was stuck on the edge of the CD. Its job was to cut out vibration, and it really worked well. I first heard one at a friends place: he first played the CD without it and then with. The difference was incredible!

It smooths out the highs and the bass, makes Michael Jackson CD's sound less tinny, etc...

I nearly spewed ,though, when he told me he had got them from America and, for some reason, weren't available anymore. By the way, if anyone reads this who knows otherwise, please e-mail me.

An extremely sensitive subject, probably largely due to the fact that there are so many systems for sale on the market and so many people with different tastes. I will therefore only give my opinion on the matter. If you can anything useful in these next few paragraphs then good for you.

The first sort of system (including myself) anyone is likely to start with is probably a small portable radio with possibly a tape player and in stereo, which most of them are. They are nice while they last (maybe even a few years. Mine certainly didn't!) but eventually they start to sound a bit flat (as full-range speakers usually are) and the need to up-grade becomes imminent. Then we might step up (almost certainly) to something bigger, twin tape decks, a CD player possibly, removable speakers and a host of other features to boot. Eventually, however, a real hi-fi is wanted.

Before I even start I'll give my opinion on one: I wouldn't touch one with a fourty foot pole, let alone buy one. They're (in most cases) of cheap build, and not that friendly on the pocket either. Of course there are obviously some good units out there and I've no problem with that, but most of them are of Chinese, or Taiwanese build and rather flimsey, and some sound just plain shocking.

The attraction is great, especially at the moment as Home Theatre becomes increasingly popular. Many companies are turning out Home Theatre packages, including the works? from the 68 cm television, main and surround speakers, VCR, etc... Mini systems are used mainly for these packages, although the more expensive ones might have seperate components, which is a more desirable set-up.

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