Strange Phenomenon No56

[Jimbo]

Over the years I observe strange things with my system which I find difficult to reason and I am wondering if this one is psychological.

In a nutshell I have found that when I have not listened to my system for a few weeks and then switch it on it sounds superb. It almost moves up a couple of notches in sound quality.

Has anyone else observed this phenomenon with their own system? :scratch:I must state I have not broken any connections or changed anything.

Or is their a rational reason that can be explained technically?

[struth]

pretty common, if you have a good sounding system. listening a lot, you get blase about it eventually. if its not so great you notice it pretty quick going back too:eyebrows:

[Jimbo]

Think you right Grant. I suppose whilst I am away from my system everything else I listen too is either TV, Car or Radio and the odd non audiophile system.
Listening to my system I notice wonderful spatial 3D Imaging and transparency, something I certainly do not get from any other source I listen too.

[stairpost]

Over the years I observe strange things with my system which I find difficult to reason and I am wondering if this one is psychological.

In a nutshell I have found that when I have not listened to my system for a few weeks and then switch it on it sounds superb. It almost moves up a couple of notches in sound quality.

Has anyone else observed this phenomenon with their own system? :scratch:I must state I have not broken any connections or changed anything.

Or is their a rational reason that can be explained technically?

I know exactly what you mean, if I haven't listened to mine for a couple of weeks, as soon as I hear it I thinking bloody hell that's nice.

I think Grant has got it spot on, it sounds fresh and at its best after a small break.

[Barry]

I would tend to agree - but since I listen to my system for several hours each day of the week when I am at home, I haven't had the opportunity to concur. I will let you know at the beginning of February when I return from holiday; after having been away from my system for a few weeks.

[Jimbo]

So if you want to upgrade your system just don't listen to it for a week or two!:lol:

[Firebottle]

So the question is what's strange phenomenon no 42?

I only ask because that is the answer to everything, no 42, yes?

Seriously I think there is truth in your statement, when such enjoyment can be had I think one craves for it after a period without.

[User211]

Familiarity breeds contempt.

Become less familiar and it goes away. Learnt that years ago.

It's why it takes me a few weeks to decide if anything is really any good.

It's also why I constantly roll valves.

[Crackles]

When I was a teenager I played drums and I could never understand how one day the kit would sound really tight and clean and was a pleasure to play. And then the next day it did sound awful, only to sound ok the day after that.

I decided after a while that it must be psychological.

I get a similar thing with my system now but the contrast isn't as obvious.

My system has sounded crap to my ears for weeks. But that's mainly because I borrowed some Stillpoints from a mate and after I handed them back it has never been the same. A set of Stillpoints is therefore next on my list of things to look out for.



Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[Pharos]

The variables internal to the mind and body condition are numerous IMO.

I find that when the weather is bright and clear, my system sounds better than when it is dull and rainy.
Wellness relative food deficiency, worry and others are bound to affect the brain and perception.

[Jimbo]

I do think 'Everything Matters' down to the smallest detail. A PHD student could base a whole degree analysing the factors that influence perceived sound quality looking at issues such as Air temperature, humidity, physiological state, background sound, system set up, electric power quality, noise floor, time of day, capacitor state, valve operating temperature relative to air temperature, cartridge set up including rubber suspension fluidity, component degradation or indeed component burn in, electron speed, speaker cone rubber fluidity, speaker cabinet vibration relative too humidity,alcohol consumption:) etc etc.

[struth]

I do think 'Everything Matters' down to the smallest detail. A PHD student could base a whole degree analysing the factors that influence perceived sound quality looking at issues such as Air temperature, humidity, physiological state, background sound, system set up, electric power quality, noise floor, time of day, capacitor state, valve operating temperature relative to air temperature, cartridge set up including rubber suspension fluidity, component degradation or indeed component burn in, electron speed, speaker cone rubber fluidity, speaker cabinet vibration relative too humidity,alcohol consumption:) etc etc.

you forgot media condition :ner:

[Jimbo]

you forgot media condition :ner:

:lol:

[AJSki2fly]

Over the years I observe strange things with my system which I find difficult to reason and I am wondering if this one is psychological.

In a nutshell I have found that when I have not listened to my system for a few weeks and then switch it on it sounds superb. It almost moves up a couple of notches in sound quality.

Has anyone else observed this phenomenon with their own system? :scratch:I must state I have not broken any connections or changed anything.

Or is their a rational reason that can be explained technically?

My wife is my litmus paper for this, she is a complete anti-audiophile and would not being described as such, see is what you would call the occasional listener or background music while doing something and not paying particular attention to the music in any way. What I like is when we go to someone else home and they put on or have some music playing and she might politely ask them to change the music or turn it down. Then after we have left or we get home and I put some music on she comments no how nice our system sounds compared to where we have just been. If someone who usually doesn't care can hear the difference then its definitely good IMO.

[Pigmy Pony]

My wife is my litmus paper for this, she is a complete anti-audiophile and would not being described as such, see is what you would call the occasional listener or background music while doing something and not paying particular attention to the music in any way. What I like is when we go to someone else home and they put on or have some music playing and she might politely ask them to change the music or turn it down. Then after we have left or we get home and I put some music on she comments no how nice our system sounds compared to where we have just been. If someone who usually doesn't care can hear the difference then its definitely good IMO.

When Anita tells me how good our system sounds, I know exactly what her game is. Won't work though, I'll make changes as and when I can afford them.

[Jimbo]

My wife is my litmus paper for this, she is a complete anti-audiophile and would not being described as such, see is what you would call the occasional listener or background music while doing something and not paying particular attention to the music in any way. What I like is when we go to someone else home and they put on or have some music playing and she might politely ask them to change the music or turn it down. Then after we have left or we get home and I put some music on she comments no how nice our system sounds compared to where we have just been. If someone who usually doesn't care can hear the difference then its definitely good IMO.

My partner is exactly the same, she often says its nice to come back and listen to my system even though she has a nice little system herself. You know when your system sounds good when you play some music and then get that excited thrill when it sounds great.:)

[AJSki2fly]

My partner is exactly the same, she often says its nice to come back and listen to my system even though she has a nice little system herself. You know when your system sounds good when you play some music and then get that excited thrill when it sounds great.:)

Conversely, its why I nowadays avoid going to dealers and listening to other equipment most of which I am never likely to afford, for fear of going home and being disappointed with mine.:doh:

[Jimbo]

I do occasionally pop to listen to a friends Mega system to give me a reference point, should I ever come into some serious cash! He leaves his on 24/7 so and it it is all solid state and digital so there is very little change apart from around 9pm onwards when the noise floor drops on the mains.

[Pharos]

I agree with you Jim, but think it important to divide the variables into; External, the equipment and measurably science based, and Internal to the human, more difficult to measure, but we hope science based also.

Martin Colloms states in his book temperature and humidity for best sound.

[Jimbo]

I agree with you Jim, but think it important to divide the variables into; External, the equipment and measurably science based, and Internal to the human, more difficult to measure, but we hope science based also.

Martin Colloms states in his book temperature and humidity for best sound.

Cant underestimate temperature or humidity in your listening room especially if you use analogue equipment - vinyl & valves - tape??

[struth]

My living room stays pretty much same temp as heating is always switched on and comes on and off with thermostat beside door which is always open as are all the internal ones.
I find this way is best both for me, house, gear and price wise it makes sense not to heat up a cold house regularly

[Macca]

Speakers also affected by temperature and barometric pressure. And sound travel in air slows down in high humidity. Not sure if you'd really hear those things though.

If you've been in a noisy environment (like a car with windows open) then go straight to listen that can have a big effect.


One thing I've noticed is that if the system is sounding good and then I move to watching TV the TV sound is also good. If the system sounds off and I then go to listen to the tv that also sounds off. As does sound through the laptop speakers too. Clearly totally psychological but still weird.

One free upgrade you can do is turn the lights right down and pretend you are listening to someone else's much more fancy system whilst they've nipped out for a bit. Decide what the cost is of this imaginary bloke's system to set yourself up. £500K is a good figure. For as long as you can maintain the mental illusion that you are listening to this amazing five hundred grand system you will get a big improvement in SQ.

[struth]

You need an imagination for that tho [emoji38]

[Barry]

You need an imagination for that tho [emoji38]

Especially as one could put together a £500K system that sounded no better, or worse, than a £10K system. :D