A lot of these cables are directional and it does make a difference. Speaker cable lengths should be kept the same. A good dealer will loan you or sell you, on sale or return, a few sets of interconnect and loudspeaker cables. We can make up these cables, and others, for you. The result is improved definition, sound stage, bass depth and bass control.
Little maintenance is required.
However, if a player is situated in a dusty or smoky environment the use of a good quality CD lens cleaner every few months will help to keep the optics clean. These should be treated with care as dirt or damage will result in poor sound quality at best and an unplayable disc at worst. The cartridge should be correctly mounted and aligned. Failure to do so may damage your records. Check the drive belt for wear.