Does anyones system sound different on different days?

Digi-G · « **on:** 20 May 2004, 02:16 pm »

I'm familiar with the "late-night" phenomenon of a system sounding better. But my system seems to sound different each time I listen to it, even with the same material. I don't think there's actually anything wrong with it, per se. (Then again, maybe there is. Or maybe I'm just goofy.

) I'm not talking a night and day difference, but a subtle one - actually very similar to the "late-night" phenomenon.

I usually listen between 8:00 and 11:00pm. All things are pretty much equal with each listening session: ambient noise is the same (minimal); electrical considerations (at least inside the house) are the same, etc.
My gear is solid state and I leave it on all the time, so it's always warmed up. All of my listening is thru the CDP. It's decent gear, so I don't think that's a problem (B&W Natilus 805's, Odyssey Stratos, Cambridge Audio, etc.)

One night my system will knock my socks off; the next night maybe not so much. I'm not really looking for a solution (if one even exists), but just wondering if anyone else experiences anything similar and what you might attribute it to.

Carlman · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 May 2004, 02:32 pm »

Yes. I think my system sounds different depending on my day, my mood, and my ear condition. I end up moving my speakers a little to get it to sound like it did the day before.

I don't know why or what changed...

-C

Dan Banquer · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 May 2004, 04:42 pm »

YES! on every third tuesday of the month my system will sound different. It appears to coincide with my wife's monthly cycle.

d.b.

DVV · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 May 2004, 08:50 pm »

Quote from: Digi-G

I'm familiar with the "late-night" phenomenon of a system sounding better. But my system seems to sound different each time I listen to it, even with the same material. I don't think there's actually anything wrong with it, per se. (Then again, maybe there is. Or maybe I'm just goofy. ) I'm not talking a night and day difference, but a subtle one - actually very similar to the "late-night" phenomenon.

I usually listen between 8:00 and 11:00pm. All things are pretty much equal with each listen ...

Two distinct possibilities, as I see it:

1. different mood, sometimes you just feel better than on other days, and

2. changing power conditions. This is misinterpreted as a matter of sheer voltage only, but is in fact far more complex than that. Line noise is by its very nature a dynamic phenomenon; after researching it for almost 6 months some years ago, I could never ever repeat any one moment again. The absolute values may be very similar, but the distribution across the spectrum is not.

And just how that influences music you can easily read a lot about on this forum, many people here have tackled that problem in many different ways.

Cheers,
DVV

Smeggy · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 May 2004, 10:06 pm »

I think the equiptment stays the same, it's our perceptions that change which is why I feel that 'burn in' and a lot of these tweaks people perform are ultimately futile as our perceptions have a much larger impact on listening than some small but usually expensive tweak. Ears, mood, level or fatigue, familiarity etc. all play a huge part in how we hear things. Sometimes I could swear I hear revelations only to find the next day that nothing had really changed.

Or is it just me....

rosconey · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 May 2004, 10:10 pm »

ive always thought my system sounded better on sunday mornings-
could very well be phycological

or less people are sucking power early sunday mornings

probably a little of bolth

nathanm · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 May 2004, 10:18 pm »

That's what makes an audiophile an audiophile isn't it? Constant nagging dissatisfaction with the sound and constant thinking that it could be better...somehow...

Late night listening seems to be best. I'm more in the mood to listen, but the neighbors are in less of a mood to listen. Thus:

Light plays a major factor as well, psychologically.

rosconey · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 May 2004, 10:31 pm »

thats whats nice about a house , i can listen at any hour as long as i close the windows, my dream house i would be able to listen at any hour with the windows open and take wizz from my front step any time i want with more garage area than living area

-
the wizz part is from a friend when he discribed the place he bought a few years ago- definate man house thing.
im looking into doing a Aframe log house kit , my step father started selling cabins after we built his a few years ago so i can get a deal.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 May 2004, 05:52 am »

My system is in my office (home)...so I listen to it all day, every day I'm not traveling and the weekends and evenings when I can. I really know my system.

It consistently sounded worse by day and improved the later it got in the evening up until 2 months ago or so. It sounded REALLY good at night with a few glasses of sake

Once I bought a Balanced Power Technologies BP-2 conditioner, it sounds the same every day or night. It's listenable all the time now....ahhh, peace in my head reigns.

DVV is on to something with his second point.....about line noise.

Ravi · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 May 2004, 06:27 am »

Don't forget guys, one of the most important factors in sound can be the air temp and humidity level. Sound has to travel through it, so the differences you hear are not all in your crazy little heads.

Digi-G · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 May 2004, 12:45 pm »

So, I'm not nuts. At least as far as my system sounding different at various times is concerned. Thanks for the feedback. It does give me some peace of mind that I'm not the only person afflicted with this.

I am in the process of running a dedicated power line with 2 new outlets (Heavy duty Pass & Seymour (I think) models from Home Depot - about $14 apiece - I considered the $50 PS Audio model, but ultimately decided I wouldn't spend $100 on 2 outlets). Maybe I will also look into a power conditioner depending on the results of the dedicated power line. At least these are things within my control.

No doubt mood and maybe even the weather play a part too. Can't do much about the weather, but an extra glass of wine could help with the mood

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

Happy Listening
G

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 May 2004, 03:28 pm »

Digi-G,

A dedicated power line is a great idea...it may be all you need to smooth out the listening humps in your day and head.

How much is that running you if I may ask? I've considered it, but haven't researched price with a good electrician...it was probably a cheaper option than going the balanced power conditioner route and possibly as effective.

Digi-G · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 May 2004, 01:38 pm »

I was actually going to do it all myself with the exception of actually wiring into the main box. In my case it's a matter of dropping the wire from my family room into an enclosed crawl space, then over into the basement to the main box. With wiring, the two outlets, a box and cover, I've probably got about $50 in supplies. I'm guessing the cost for an electrician to simply do the tie-in will be $150-$200 - but that's just an uneducated guess. Hopefully it will be a bit less.

I'm sure to have an electrician do everything that the cost would be very dependant upon your specific application; how easy would it be to run the wire from your system to the fuse box? Slab floor or basement or crawl space? Those kinds of things. I'll keep you posted once I have it done and let you know my actual cost.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 May 2004, 01:44 pm »

Quote from: Digi-G

I'm sure to have an electrician do everything that the cost would be very dependant upon your specific application; how easy would it be to run the wire from your system to the fuse box? Slab floor or basement or crawl space? Those kinds of things. I'll keep you posted once I have it done and let you know my actual cost.

Good, yes...I rent here and don't want to put too much into THEIR home, but a couple hundred may be worthwhile to spend. Tho, I'm not sure what additional benefit I'll get now that I have a Balanced Power unit bought and paid for.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 May 2004, 01:45 pm »

Quote from: Digi-G

I'm sure to have an electrician do everything that the cost would be very dependant upon your specific application; how easy would it be to run the wire from your system to the fuse box? Slab floor or basement or crawl space? Those kinds of things. I'll keep you posted once I have it done and let you know my actual cost.

Good, yes...I rent here and don't want to put too much into THEIR home, but a couple hundred may be worthwhile to spend. Tho, I'm not sure what additional benefit I'll get now that I have a Balanced Power unit bought and paid for.