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Need Help: What In My Home Electric System Killed the Sound?

Could really use some troubleshooting from you electric experts out there, of which I certainly am not one.  House is in rural western Maine.  My electrician (licensed and very experienced, but not in audiophile context) is running a dedicated line to the 2-channel rig.  He installed the new line up to the outlet, but didn't complete yet (we're waiting for delivery on the outlet), so the new line is temporarily capped off at the wall.  In the meantime, elsewhere in the house, he changed a broken recessed light socket and changed the related wiring to that light.  Those are the only two changes to the electric I am aware of.   The 2-channel system remains plugged into the same outlet we've been using for years (until the dedicated line is in).  This weekend, the life is gone fro the system.  For example, volume at "25" on the pre-amp would normally be quite loud, but now it needs to be turned up to 40 to get the same loudness.  Regardless, dynamics are gone, tempo is a tiny bit slow and has lost toe tapping, and vocals moved from near field to way back in the mix.   Nothing was changed in the system (Rega Saturn CDP; McIntosh C52; McIntosh 452; and Polk SDA 1.2 TL (heavily modded)).   Any thoughts on what might have cause these symptoms?  Electrician can't pinpoint anything.  Any input appreciated.  
whitecap
whart's avatar
whart
3,039 posts
 
This is from left field, but now that the broken light socket was fixed, did you have that light on when you listened to your system? Try shutting it off. I have dedicated lines and can still hear some nasties from various fixtures elsewhere in the house. Simple solution. I shut off those lights when I use the system (they are over a bar sink in the kitchen, so not really essential lighting). 
terry9
2,334 posts
 
Sounds like a cue for my song: isolation transformers. I use isolation transformers in front of all my audio gear. Plitron makes a good one, and they sell to the general public. Cost effective and harm preventive too.
cousinbillyl
190 posts
 
Story Time:

Here in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, we have Ontario Hydro. They have installed 'Smart' meters. These meters calculate power usage. Since this calculation uses voltage, and since highest prices are during the day and evening, they raise our voltage to 125V. This during the day and early evening.

Most audio gear is designed for 115v/230v. This allows designers to build for a larger global demographic.

Try listening to your system after midnight. Typically voltages drop back down to 120V.

Welcome to the world of corporate profits.
terry9
2,334 posts
 
Billy, have you considered running your system on a big Variac? Then you could select your optimal voltage.

erik_squires
16,081 posts
 
More likely a drop or change in voltage vs. before. 

Is the light that was changed on a dimmer? Those can introduce all sorts of fun things. :) 

Is it possible you changed a setting, such as a balanced vs. not on the back of one of the Mac's? Or did you switch from balanced to unbalanced cables? 

Ask him to double check the voltage as well as the neutral to ground and ground. 
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