[charmerci]

There was a thunderstorm. I was going to unplug my system (Sony CD player, Denon receiver connected to power strip/surge suppressor and Pioneer speakers, Polk subwoofer ) but I went to the bathroom instead. There was a lightning strike somewhat nearby and the electricity went off for few seconds. I then unplugged everything.

I have had this system without any changes, period for two months. I listen very carefully to its sound.

I turned it back on about a half an hour later, starting up the same CD that I was listening to earlier when the power went off. I noticed that there was much more bass.

I've continued to listen more for about the last hour or so on a variety of CD's and the sound has definitely changed. There's a more crisp high end and the sound on various recordings has more echo/reverb from the recordings.

I mean, if there was a loss of bass, high frequencies, etc., I'd understand that a transistor, resistor, etc. was blown.

What happened? 

[WireNut]

What did you smoke in the bathroom 

[North Star]

Same thing happened to me once! ...I was struck by a lightning (working on a mountain), and since then I am a much brighter person. 

[ltr317]

Same thing happened to me once! ...I was struck by a lightning (working on a mountain), and since then I am a much brighter person. 

I'm shocked!   

[North Star]

Don't be! ...It's all good, really. 

[JLM]

Perhaps you've discovered a speaker break-in technique.

Seriously, did you observe any other electrically related changes in your home?  Are other residents served by the same transformer?  Just wondering if something got reset at the power company's substation/transformer and now you're enjoying 'cleaner' power (technically termed 'fewer power abberations').

[jtwrace]

Maybe the system was struck by lightening and the extreme amount of volts accelerated the break-in period.  So you now have 2,000 hrs on it.   

[rooze]

Is the system normally left powered on continuously? If so, you may just be listening to the sound of your system 'cold', which just happens to have more prominent bass. If you like what you hear, power it down between listening sessions. 

[North Star]

Placebo effect original source of provenance?

[charmerci]

I had the same electronics for about a year.  I do the same thing five days a week - as yesterday. I turn off the system when I go to work and turn it on when I return. It was on for about the usual hour or so. I was in the bathroom and the electricity turned off and came on. I didn't change any settings. I just turned it off while I took a shower and turned it back on - what I have done hundreds of times.

I've been listening and changing stereos for over 35 years since I was fifteen. I've visited Frank Van Alstine and listened to his system and we've discussed the sound of his system and I've met a AC member and we've discussed and agreed on what we've heard. I'm a very seasoned listener and I was very, very surprised at the change in the system. I've listened to different recordings that I have listened to a hundred plus time on this system and there is a definite change in the sound.

It just doesn't make any sense to me. 

[charmerci]

Seriously, did you observe any other electrically related changes in your home?  Are other residents served by the same transformer?  Just wondering if something got reset at the power company's substation/transformer and now you're enjoying 'cleaner' power (technically termed 'fewer power abberations').

Literally my only electronics are a stereo, lights, two clocks, this laptop and a frig  - so that's a no on the first Q.

It's not the first time that the power has gone off for a brief time but there was no change last time - but maybe I am enjoying cleaner power. It turned off for about 30 seconds or so.

[North Star]

Well, that's a first time for sure!

[charmerci]

Well, that's a first time for sure!

Maybe. As I mentioned earlier, I just restarted playing the same CD from a half an hour earlier that I've listened to regularly for months. I was here on the computer not really paying attention to the sound catching up on emails and websites when I just noticed much more bass on that CD. I thought, "I don't remember there being that much bass before." Then I started to listening more closely.

[Ericus Rex]

I would guess the power outage reset/altered some of your EQ settings on the receiver.  Perhaps the 'loudness' setting.

[charmerci]

That's a good possibility.

It only has mechanical EQ adjustments but it does have Video Select, Rec Out Select and T. Mode (don't ask me what that is  ) buttons - even though when I press them, the sound doesn't change.

[charmerci]

Boy, that photo got me to clean the faceplate of my receiver.     It's black so those fingerprints aren't normally so noticeable.

[North Star]

Maybe that power surge moved the protons and neutrons around, then dispersed the dust inside your receiver? ...And in your ears.

[srb]

Boy, that photo got me to clean the faceplate of my receiver.     It's black so those fingerprints aren't normally so noticeable.

I use a liquid detail wax (Griots Speed Shine, Zymöl Field Glaze or other liquid carnauba-based product).  Not only does it make components look fantastic, it really does make them more fingerprint resistant.

A small spritz on a microfiber cloth to clean and immediately buff with a dry microfiber cloth.

Steve

[North Star]

I never touch my audio/video components; they are all hidden, and I also have a universal remote control.

[Ericus Rex]

It only has mechanical EQ adjustments but it does have Video Select, Rec Out Select and T. Mode (don't ask me what that is  ) buttons - even though when I press them, the sound doesn't change.

What about theater settings and the like?  Dolby pro logic?  How old is that thing?!?!