(This is a general question but I'm posting here because DACs affect the problem. That might be some clue. I also posted in "Tech Talk" but not sure if I'll get any response.)
I have a "resonance" in my left ear. At certain frequencies the sound will get a lot louder, very similar to a high-Q resonance. It's especially obvious on piano notes.
I can demonstrate to myself it's my left ear and not my equipment in two ways.
Put on headphones, listen to the same signal in each ear. Right ear sounds great, left ear has a screeching resonance on certain music.
Listen to speakers, plug one ear at a time with earplugs.
One clue is that I have tinnitus in my left ear. It varies in intensity and the resonance is definitely worse when the tinnitus is worse. However I can't tell if the resonance is at the same frequency as the tinnitus, which is very high pitched, while piano notes around 500 Hz typically stimulate the resonance the worst. I've even put a parametric filter on the music to demonstrate a notch at roughly 500 Hz silences the resonance.
I've been evaluated by an ear doctor. My hearing is within the normal range. He didn't really even seem to understand my description of the resonance and said there was no test that could be performed. I asked for a brain MRI and they did that, but it was normal.
The resonance is pretty much intolerable as a listening experience for the music and equipment that triggers it strongly. I can tolerate it if the equipment and music doesn't stimulate it too much.
Here's the weird thing. Different DACs will stimulate the resonance to different degrees. For instance the Terminator 1 barely stimulates the resonance, while it goes completely nuts on the Gustard A26 and even more so on the Gustard X20 Pro. The iFi iDSD doesn't stimulate it at all and the Gustard R26 only slightly.
Also the digital front end affects the resonance. When I used a NUC computer as a PC-based system, the resonance was bad on the x20Pro but tolerable. When I switched to an Aurender N100 the overall sound quality improved hugely on the kind of music that doesn't hit the resonance, but the resonance got twice as bad on certain music like piano.
@magonah, ok thanks for the clarification on the resonance issue even with the N100. I've decided to keep my N150 as well because of it's strengths. I was able to reduce some resonance by switching power cords. Might be something to consider.
In regards to the dac issue, when I heard the N150 with the Merason dac 1 mkii at a dealer, I didn't recall any resonance. And I have the same equipment they had, literally, as I bought their demos when the store closed due to the owner passing away. I'm taking the plunge and ordering the Merason. You might want to consider finding a used Merason Dac 1 (first version), as it can be much more affordable. It's known to be less harsh than other dacs and deliver clarity. Kind of an in between a NOS and Sigma.
@symphonicsoulDid I say the Aurender N100 DIDN'T aggravate the issue? It is worse with the resonance compared with what I had before, a NUC PC-based system. A very modest PC-based system. So the N100 was amazing in terms of dynamics and resolution... a clear step up... (I'm not sure about soundstaging, I use mainly headphones and have an acoustically compromised modest speaker system) but also made the ear resonance worse. I want to keep it, though for its strengths.
I think the issue is more the DAC, because even with the N100, DACs vary in the amount of the resonance they have and some have none. I tried a Terminator this year and it had no resonance. (I thought it was too aggressive on leading edges, though, and returned it). The Gustard X20 Pro, the DAC I had at the time I got the Aurender, seems to be the worst of any I tried. I've since sold it and now I'm testing out the Gustard A26. It's okay, a tolerable amount of resonance, and a great DAC. Better than the x20 Pro. I also am holding out hope that I can solve the resonance. So I'm willing to take a little risk with a little resonance.
I wasn't a talented musician at the time. Since then I've gotten interested in composing and piano improvisation. I'm still working on those things (fairly beginning at improvisation in classical styles) but these new interests have reconnected me with music at a much deeper level.
@magonit's the worst when doctors are dismissive. Interesting that you have small ear canals and thinking that could be in play.
You mentioned the Aurender N100h as not aggravating the issue. I just bought the N150 and got a headache after listening, which went away after I stopped. It's so darn bright and when it hits those frequencies that are bothering me, it's borderline painful. Especially with piano and sax and I know you're having issues with piano notes as well. The sounds stage and separation among instruments is stellar and I'm bummed. Wondering if I should return it and try the N100h instead. Going to try different cables first.
Glad to hear you're a trombonist. I was a horn player and went to Northwestern during the height of the incredible Chicago brass. Was an amazing time to be there. Nothing like hearing Bruckner live.
The world famous house ear instute is in Los Angeles in California. One of my many neurotoligist was trained there.they have excellent audiologist as well.good luck.enjoy the music
@symphonicsoulYeah I had a good seat for the Bruckner - slightly back and elevated a little bit (the so-called Terrace at Walt Disney Concert Hall) - actually I bought a fairly cheap ticket and ended up near the side and back of the terrace where the sound is not so good - then a couple came up and said they wanted to trade seats with us because they wanted to sit by the door - so my girlfriend and I got this good seat in the center-front Terrance. LA Phil brass is glorious. And LOUD. I love how Bruckner uses brass. Dvorak, a wonderful composer, but he buries the brass under the strings a lot of the time. By the way I played trombone in college.
Thanks for tip on small ear canals. Judging by the fit of IEMs that work with me, I do have small ear canals. I'm going to go back to this ENT or maybe find another one and consult on all this stuff. I have an HMO so I'm not sure I can see a different ENT. He was so dismissive of my concerns and really didn't even seem to understand them. Now all these people tell me there are possible explanations.
@magonthat Bruckner must have been amazing! From what I also understand, having small/narrow ear canals can create amplification issues. When I was little, certain sounds were really loud and they say this is consistent with small canals and then later causes issues. The canals can also start to collapse with age too. I don't know, food for thought if perhaps you have narrow canals
@magon....A good place to start; since you're in SoCA there's undoubtedly audiologists that give you the printouts of your 'interior fq response'....
Mine is in my high end, so difficult to totally erase without wiping out the correction applied.....I consider the remnants as my 'dial tone', throw-back concept that it is.
The Aurender has gotten good comments 'round here, so enjoy.
I like my pc for it's functionality, and I've hammered it to as quiet as possible; eq is mostly handed off to some pro versions with similar traits. Mostly used for room corrections as noted, 'tweaks' as desired, handed off to active x-overs.....
Was the LA Phil @ the Getty? If so, I'm jealous...
Like 'live' anything, but it's the audience end response that does me in....a 'dirty white noise', even if from a well-washed and duded up crowd...*L*
Been carrying a noise-canceling headset for just that.....one gets 'looks' but turn away when they observe the absurder.... ;)
Aids have come along way in their functionality and apps....linked to your cell, literally 'tweak-able' on the fly. I kid that I bought a Mac for my head rather than the shelf.... Like cars, motorcycles, and the like they've gotten their envelope pushed by the stage monitor ear units worn by the players....
Anyway, start with your 'on-board items' and carry on as needed or desired.
@symphonicsoul "An amplification at certain frequencies" is very similar if not identical to what I mean. I don't have any hearing loss according to the audiologist's report, or at least my hearing is currently within the normal range. My condolences for hearing difficulties like not being able to enjoy orchestra at full tilt. I listened to the LA Phil perform Bruckner's 9th last year and powerful brass music is thrilling, but would be disappointing if it were distorted. I don't notice any problem with live music at this time.
@asvjerryI don't use PC Audio any more once I discovered the Aurender N100. I'm a bit of a purist, too, avoiding EQ. I think it sounds way, way better that way. I think I'll first try some of these other suggestions first. It would be good to have an audiologist dial in the frequency of my tinnitus and also do a thorough ear cleaning.
Chiming in with mark200mph, howardlee, and symphonicsoul....
Get thee to the best audiologist rated in your area for the cleaning and through test.
I found mine who was appreciative of my 'phile concerns to the point of not only dialing in on my tinnitus, but also printed out my response measurements for the frequencies he tests at.
I just had an audiology exam, as I've been experiencing what I can only describe as amplification on certain frequencies. s this what you mean my resonance? As a former orchestra conductor, to have any distortion or hearing loss is devastating.
The audiologist told me it's called "recruitment" and she tested for it. She told me as hearing loss begins, your range shortens and certain frequencies get amplified. What used to be just loud, becomes intolerable. For me the subway trains coming in and out are deafening, along with sirens. The orchestra at full steam gets distorted at certain frequencies, like distortion from an amp that can't handle the power.
Does this "resonate"? Sorry, I couldn't help it ;)
Do what @mark200mph said!!!! That was a free consult! Your best bet for finding a neurologist ear specialist is probably a university doc but you could look online. I think I remember you’re in central Wisconsin so you’ve probably got some good options.
@howardleeThey measured my hearing. That's why I wrote that the ENT mentioned my hearing was normal. Is that an audiology exam?
@devinplombierYes! My asthma disappeared shortly after stopping gluten. Some GI problems stopped. We'll see how the next year goes. Maybe other things will improve.
@bartsI don't have any analog equipment at the moment. That would be an interesting test. I don't often listen to other people's systems, so I don't know if it was triggered. It depends on the music, so maybe I never listened to music that triggers it on some other system.
The tinnitus did improve when I stopped gluten recently
@magonI can tell you this: I used to have massive, chronic sinus allergies that made my life miserable. After I stopped eating gluten (for unrelated reasons), my allergies began to ease. Within 6 to 8 months they were entirely gone. I haven't had a single Claritin in years.
Not sure how closely this relates to your particular issue, but unhealthy sinuses can definitely mess up your hearing.
I’ve had a lot of ear problems. Several times I’ve experienced situations similar to what you described, and the problem was wax in my ear. Have an ENT, or qualified doctor look into your ear with an otoscope.
This may seem silly or too obvious, but my problem was solved by cleaning my ears. A tiny bit of wax in the wrong place can cause real problems. The wax can vibrate, and narrow the ear canal.
Cleaning should be done by a good specialist. I don't recommend doing it yourself.
I find it interesting that different DACs cause your hearing issue to be better or worse. Have any analog equipment to try as the source? You only mentioned digital.
I am an ent for 40 plus years.you should seek a neurotologist.they specialize in ears. You could find a audiologist who can find the frequency of your ear problems and possibly program a hearing aid to do a notch filter cut that frequency out..if you have arthritis it could cause problems with your ossicles the little bones in your ear have the audiologist do a tympanogram.i have treated alot of problems my other doctors failed at. Don't give up.there are things that can be done.enjoy the music,
You saw an ENT and had a cerebral scan?? How about an audiology exam? Did they do that? You don’t mention that, but that’s where this should have started. Once that’s evaluated then you’ve got a feel for what to do with the equalizer that would likely help you. Especially one with left and right channels. It doesn’t sound like you’re dealing with an intrinsically fixable physical problem, but it wouldn’t hurt to find a university ENT department you could visit. Get your MRI sent there. Humming and adjusting your speaker’s stands are not getting anywhere with this but it doesn’t seem to me your condition has been properly evaluated. I am not an ENT but I’m willing to bet your condition is not that unusual.7
@terry9 @moonwatcher I've had tinnitus my whole life and this resonance for at least 9 years. The tinnitus did improve when I stopped gluten recently, and the resonance reduced a bit. I guess what I'm getting from these posts is that my ENT was very dismissive of my situation. He acted like he'd never heard of this and didn't really understand. He doesn't have the knowledge of an audio engineer and didn't seem to know what I meant by "high Q" resonance. I should find another ENT. Might have to pay out of pocket.
I don't really understand what a mechanical issue is or how to investigate it. Hopefully I find an ENT who does.
Get to a physician ASAP. If you have an inflammation of the 8th nerve, you have 72 hours to treat it with steroids. That was my problem last year, and treatment was confirmed by an ENT man.
As @willcycleconjectured, you may have a mechanical issue with your left ear or bone structure around it. Now, why certain DACs with their presentations cause differences, I have no idea. All I know is that I had a similar resonance in my left ear and stopped playing violin because of it. At certain notes I'd hear a terrible resonance. It took the enjoyment of playing away. Violins are particularly bad about this because you have them in direct contact with your jaw bones. Playing the piano doesn't cause a similar resonance for me. In any event you might consult an otologist and see what they say.
@sfgakI don't have access to an equalizer for my main audio system. I'm using an Aurender N100 as the digital source. In any case it only affects my left ear and I wouldn't want to devastate the signal going into my right ear. Perhaps if I could equalize one channel only for headphones, it might work. My headphones are my best listening setup.
I have tinnitus in my left ear and a bit similar problems. I’d say they are mainly caused by speakers rather than source and speaker stands/feet can aggravate it. The room reflections play a big role, not only in listening room, but concert halls also. I always pick a seat closer to right side of the auditorium.
If the resonance is caused by the outer parts of your ear or canal - try pressing down on your earlobe or pulling on it to see if you can affect or mitigate it? There is a lot of energy in piano and it could excite resonances in a different frequency.
If it is a resonance in your ear, and not something else, you could experiment with DSP or digital EQ (you already have it if you have Roon, for example). Just create a notch filter centered around your resonant frequency, and adjust the Q value wider or narrower until it takes care of your problem.
You may have some kind of mechanical issue with your left ear. Try humming different tones to get an idea. I don't know exactly how to describe this, but don't just hum casually. When you hum try directing the energy toward your ears so you hear it and feel it there. Something like you would do on an airplane with pressure changes. If you hear a resonance I don't know how you can solve it, though you will know the reason.
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