Changing hifi sound (aka "Am I crazy?")

[Diapason]

Fran, I am indeed.

Ivor, I've done a fair bit of rooting around on the web in the last few weeks, and mains 'conditioners' seem to have pretty variable results. Most report a cleaner sound, but often at the expense of life and dynamics. That's a merry go round I don't need. Mains regeneration (ac -> dc -> 'pure' ac) is better regarded, but has its own set of issues, not least of which is added heat and noisy fans. Most mains regeneration systems seem to be double online ups boxes with an audiophile badge, and maybe some associated audiophile tweakery. In any case it's all irrelevant for now, since my budget is identically zero, and I want to spend money on CDs and listen for a while. I'm less paranoid about the whole thing now, and my enjoyment has increased hugely. Now if things sound bad I just shrug my shoulders safe in the knowledge there'll be another time.

Of course, all that said, I texted my old boss today to see what happened to the ups systems in our old office. He thinks they're still there, and says I'm welcome to them. Now, I doubt they were decent, they probably weren't even the double online variety which regenerate the waveform, they'll probably be very noisy and not up to audio standards at all but hey, if they're mine for free it would be rude not to test them!

[DaveF]

Do Cloney's deal with PS Audio anymore? You could try borrowing one of those Power Plant Premiers if they have any. They cost a bit but again it might give you more evidence that it's definitely an electrical quality issue.

I've often wondered if electrical issues are a reason behind my problems as in that the Airtight is more sensitive to it. Ivan Cloney is convinced that setting up my system in the shop's front room would not show any harshness as they've had the same or very similar setups there before and that my issues are room problems. I'm still convinced it's a source problem being highlighted by the ATM2.
That said, within 2 weeks I'll be in a new gaff with a big listening space and carpeted floors so I'm quite eager to get set up there.

[Diapason]

I think they still deal with PS Audio, although I think they'd need to order a PPP if I wanted to try one, and that might be an issue since I've no intention of buying one any time soon! I doubt they have on in the shop, but I'll have a chat with Ivan about it. The PPP gets mixed reviews online, but as always it's hard to tell until you hear it yourself. A mains regenerator by APS PurePower seems to get the nod in a lot of places, but it ain't cheap!

Regarding your own issues, there's no doubt that your descriptions of the sound mirror my "bad" days quite well. I also recognise the sense of frustration that comes with having top-drawer components that *should* work well together, but for whatever reason aren't delivering. I don't know whether to point the finger at electricity in this case, but who knows.

There's a long discussion on another site about bad electricity (that admittedly tips slightly toward the lunatic level), and it's one of the few places where this is really examined and dealt with in any detail. It's suggested over there that some people are just lucky with their supply get good sound, never think about it, but others are unlucky and never really get their sound right, and tie themselves in knots trying to figure it out. As always, it's hard to separate fact from fiction, but I recognise so much of what's being said over there, I'm starting to think there might be something in that.

Anyway, fun n' games.

[Rocker]

My experiences with 'the mains' is that everything matters when it comes to getting the best sound possible from your system. My findings are that a spur is a significant cause of sound degradation [it adds compression which makes the sound slightly more upbeat but ultimately tiring to listen to]. I have not tried a ring main but my system now has triple wired sockets which highlighted the compression issue alluded to above. In the short term try switching off and on again your MCBs in case these are making poor electricial contact which would introduce noise or distortion. Not much help I know but it might make a difference.

[DaveF]

Any progress here Simon?

[Diapason]

Any progress here Simon?

Nope!

[Diapason]

I was going to leave it at that (!) but I suppose it's more accurate to say that I'm still reviewing my options (in fact, I'm reading about double-online UPS yet again as I write). I really want to try a PS Audio regenerator, but I don't want to try it until I can afford to buy it, and I'm a long way away from that. Interestingly, when you dig a little deeper, the problems that people with "bad" power always complain about are exactly the problems I have intermittently.

I may yet put in a dedicated line and look into earthing with a spike in the garden, but that would require a bit of thought.

So, it's still happening, I still find myself turning off the hifi when things aren't sounding as they should, and it's still very frustrating.

[Rocker]

Simon,

An option, not exactly a cheap one by the way, is to try a balanced transformer [220-0 -> 110-0-110] that Russ Andrews sells. RA has a few different models in his catalogue, a phonecall would ensure that you order the correct one for your system. As I understand RA purchasing policy, you can try the component for 30 days and get a full refund if it does not work in your system. Means paying for it up front though. The 110-0-110 output is a balanced mains [the centre tap is earthed], the claimed benefits are lower noise floor and better sound. RA claims that everything they sell improves the sound of your system and gets you closer to the music, but you learn to filter out the BS fairly quickly. I know that sensitive electronics in hospitals etc are often powered from balanced transformers, no alterations to the equipment are required.

Might be worth a look into.

[Diapason]

Thanks Rocker, that is indeed another option that's popped up, and I haven't done enough research on that at all so thanks for the reminder about Russ Andrews.

For now I just choose CDs accordingly when things are bad and try not to let it annoy me!

[Ivor]

I may yet put in a dedicated line and look into earthing with a spike in the garden, but that would require a bit of thought.

My gut tells me that's the best way to go (it can be a big bully sometimes). Get as close to the source of the issue as you can rather than put a band aid on it. It wouldn't be difficult to do and as your room has a window to the front iirc then the earth should be quite easy. Get an electrician to put in a dedicated spur (or is it ring) with hefty cable and the job's done.