2. misc-audio
  3. 179956-9627

Background noise.

I was just reminded of how critical the ambient noise level is to appreciating a good system.

Because the air quality has not been that good over the last week. I had turned on my air cleaner in the next room, on low, about 25 feet away from my audio seat… and 33’ from my speakers. The air filter is not noisy and set on low. I do not notice it when not listening to music while sitting in my audio chair.

I was listening to a vinyl album I know well. I appreciated that I could not hear a bit of surface noise, not even a little. But it seemed like something was missing… the full dynamics of the album.

Finally I remembered the air filter was on. I turned it off. Wow. What a difference. My system’s noise floor is way below my room’s with the air filter on… even though it is really difficult to hear the air filter without the system on.

Ambient noise is really important… even when at the threshold of perception. Distant refrigerators, laundry… or air conditioners. 

ghdprentice
ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,887 posts
 

@panzrwagn Wrote:

Also, regarding high efficiency systems, they benefit greatly from being properly gain staged so that you don't hear noise when the system is idling. Ideally, you want your preamp/line stage to clip within 3-6 db after the power amps. It's common to see preamps operating 10-12dB or even more gain than is necessary, and that robs the system of that much dynamic range and results like hissing horns at idle.  Turn the amps input sensitivity down, and drive the preamp harder. That leaves the noise levels down.

I agree! 

Mike

 

j-wall's avatar
j-wall
369 posts
 

Do you think part of the this could be electronic noise being put back into the line from the unit running? I have a small fan in my music room and when I click it on, even with the Shunyata power conditioner, you can hear the fan click on and off. It's adding noise onto the line that not even my conditioner can stop. Same with my VPI 16.5, which sometimes pops through speakers when my gear is on and I activate the switch to clean a record. 

boxcarman
422 posts
 

@baylinor  I too suffer from tinnitus, don't really like the volume too high or it shortens my session.  Don't bother calling the tinnitus hotline.  They never pick up.  It just keeps ringing.

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,887 posts
 

@j-wall Wrote:

I have a small fan in my music room and when I click it on, even with the Shunyata power conditioner, you can hear the fan click on and off.

Power conditioning, see page 38 below:

Mike

 

j-wall's avatar
j-wall
369 posts
 

@ditusa  I think you missed my point. That everything gets put back onto the line as noise. Also, I'm surprised a rack company has a blanket statement opinion about power conditioning. That's the first haha. 

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