Jimbos Audio ramblings

[Macca]

Haha yes definitely warm clothes and may not camp as my friend tried this and had their tent completely destroyed. But I must say with Climate change upon us it maybe the perfect place to go now if you don't like roasting to death.

well I was only there for a week but based on that experience climate change has got it's work cut out if it's even going to make a dent.

[Jimbo]

Had the system unplugged and all disconnected for the past two weeks as I toured the North East on holiday. So tonight was the first listen after reconnecting everything. I had made particular efforts to make sure whilst I was away nothing could be destroyed in a lightening strike as we had so many thunderstorms down here - paranoia Yes.

Anyhow tonights first listen after two weeks away confirms that making new connections and giving the system a rest does have a positive effect. Listening tonight has unravelled a level of micro detail I have not heard in my recordings before. Subtle aspects and details that I had not noticed before. I know when you have a break from your system for sometime and come back fresh you do seem to notice things in a different way? But I would say plugging everything back in has its significance too.

None of it is night and day stuff but whatever is going on is noticeable and for the better. Maybe our brains switch off slightly when we listen very regularly but when you have had a break you may be more sensitive to sound? I bit like not drinking for a month and then downing your favourite tipple. The pleasure and effects always seem more intense?

[Pigmy Pony]

I have heard it said that unplugging leads and plugging them back in again can improve their electrical connection, and I suppose it is possible. Whether that would translate to better conduction of information I don't know. I imagine the difference would be subtle, and probably beyond my hearing's ability though.

More likely though is that having two weeks of putting up with the car stereo has given your ears a new found appreciation of how proper audio should sound And perhaps your system is feeling rested after a two week break from your music choices

[struth]

Had the system unplugged and all disconnected for the past two weeks as I toured the North East on holiday. So tonight was the first listen after reconnecting everything. I had made particular efforts to make sure whilst I was away nothing could be destroyed in a lightening strike as we had so many thunderstorms down here - paranoia Yes.

Anyhow tonights first listen after two weeks away confirms that making new connections and giving the system a rest does have a positive effect. Listening tonight has unravelled a level of micro detail I have not heard in my recordings before. Subtle aspects and details that I had not noticed before. I know when you have a break from your system for sometime and come back fresh you do seem to notice things in a different way? But I would say plugging everything back in has its significance too.

None of it is night and day stuff but whatever is going on is noticeable and for the better. Maybe our brains switch off slightly when we listen very regularly but when you have had a break you may be more sensitive to sound? I bit like not drinking for a month and then downing your favourite tipple. The pleasure and effects always seem more intense?

its called 'getting used to the sound'. dare i say its how burn in works

[Jimbo]

I have heard it said that unplugging leads and plugging them back in again can improve their electrical connection, and I suppose it is possible. Whether that would translate to better conduction of information I don't know. I imagine the difference would be subtle, and probably beyond my hearing's ability though.

More likely though is that having two weeks of putting up with the car stereo has given your ears a new found appreciation of how proper audio should sound And perhaps your system is feeling rested after a two week break from your music choices

your probably right.

[Jimbo]

its called 'getting used to the sound'. dare i say its how burn in works

You mean burn in is not waiting for all the electrons in the components/cables to align themselves in a magical configuration!?

[Barry]

It probably depends on the type and quality of the connectors. RCA phono plugs are a lousy design and no amount of rhodium or gold is going to "turn a sows ear into a silk purse" - even DIN connectors are better. In my experience, the best connectors are XLR (as used by every recording studio and radio broadcaster in the world), and CAMAC (as used in safety-critical installations) as once used on Mark Levinson gear, but sadly no longer.

But actually I like Steve's theory best!

[Pigmy Pony]

Thanks Barry, that's twice this week I've said something that makes sense! I can't remember what the other one was.

[Jimbo]

Tried to watch a fair bit of Glastonbury and I must say the BBC have done a fantastic production job. Sound and Pictures are absolutely first class, probably better than any previous year although I am watching most of it via player on an OLED TV and some of the content is HDR 4K. This quality is outstanding. Sound seems way better than some of the BBC broadcasts of other stuff they have done this year so they have got this right too.

Favourite sets so far have been Sparks, Tinariwen and Rick Astley who seems to have put out the best performance of the festival. Usually not my cup of tea but was a complete surprise especially when he played the drums and did ACDC Highway to Hell!

[Macca]

Just had a look through the line up - quite a few acts I thought had finished years ago. Mica Paris is on tonight, used to like her. Doubt they'll put that on the telly though.