Inconsistency in System

Hi, I recently had a similar problem. It was a power problem in my case. The power cord that came with my amp had a bad ground...so I switched it with another aftermarket cord I already had. That's when I noticed the problem that you are describe in this post. I looked at my monster power center and noticed that the amount of current that was usually being drawn with all my equipment on had decreased and music sounded different from day to day. I bought a used stealth HAC power cord here on Agon and my system came back to life.... The moral of the story is...Try a different power cord on your amp if you can. A power cord that you are certain is designed for power amps...not front end components. It's either that or your tubes in the preamp are starting to go bad.

Hi, You might want to put a meter on the AC to see if the problem changes with a variation. You may also want to tighten up the ground wires on your electical box, this could make a big difference especally with aluminum wire. Goodluck.

I used to have a similar problem with my system. It sounded best late at night and worst during the day, especially in the afternoon. The problem for me was noise on my power lines. I added Richard Gray Power Conditioners to my system and the sound is now very clean throughout the day, and much more dynamic. If you go with a power conditioner, I would recommend trying them first to make sure you find one that works well with your system.

Thank you everyone for your responses...I will be trying some different things to see what cures the ailment. Since my preamp is only approximately 5 months old and I do not run all the time, I don't think it is the tubes though........

The problem is either AC of Psychological guy.

The power might be a problem depending on how many peoplee in yer neighborhood are on the same grid, using how much power, etc, but that is kind of grasping for straws

I say the issue is psychological.
any time you get into a routine your brain will eventually wire itself for maximum ability. When you go to work you brain preps itself to be more involved in thinking, which gives you an edge at work.

At night when you go to bed your brain knows it is about bed-time and starts getting ready for sleep

With this chain of logic it is easy to say that if there are times where you unwind and relax, your brain will be more perceptive to the relaxation events and might be more open for musical pleasure.

I know if i am listening to my system on a day off when i normally would be working, it is not nearly as enjoyable as it is later at night when i will normally listen to music. Same goes with the morning, in fact, it seems like there is not only a physical sweet-spot in the room, but a psychological sweet spot where you are more open to the enjoyments of music.

Normally between 11pm to 1am is my psychological "sweet spot, cause my brain expects to be enjoying music and sets itself up to get the most enjoyment possible.

One easy way to back up this theory, is achohol and how your brain handles it. Normally i drink at night. When i do, i can drink quite a bit without getting plastered. My brain knows the achoholic onslaught is going to be happening and prepares itself to handle this.
Now, if during a day off, and i go and get a few beers around 1pm, i can drink 2 beers and feel like i chucgged a 6pack.

I think one of the most important tweaks you can do in your system is to schedule yourself a "listening time" and keep it around the same time on the same days. Eventually, you will find that listening during your "Listening period", you rig will sound very involving and very sweet.
It is the best tweak you can do for yourself, cause your brain is the most important part of the system. And the best part, is it is free! :)