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Rethinking Listening Fatigue

Listening fatigue to me has always been a sure sign that something was wrong with an audio system.

It is a useful test of a system, because it is not always immediately apparent - a fact which has undoubtedly helped Dr Bose get rich.

I have always thought fatigue was mainly a product of digital, overly bright tweeters, and/or a sonic signature that puts too much emphasis on "resolution" and not enough emphasis on high quality midrange.

But lately I am wondering if I have been oversimplifying things.

As you can see in my system link, I am using a pair of ATC SCM 7's with a pair of Behringer amps used as monoblocks for my desktop and PC audio.

Recently, I have added a Hagerman Technology USB interface box, which goes into an Audio Research DAC 5.

To my ears, the ATCs have a slightly laid back, non fatiguing sound typical of many English products which suits my tastes just fine, particularly for very nearfield listening.

What is curious, however, is that I am starting to realize that this system sounds really different depending on the volume and/or the time of day.

At times, this little system sounds wonderful. I feel I can listen to it for hours, with the speakers < 3 feet away from my ears and in many ways, I enjoy it more than the big system.

Detail for both music and movies is very clear and I have especially noted that I am better able to discern dialogue with these speakers, without ever feeling like the sound is too "etched' or embossed.

At other times, however, I feel quickly fatigued and suddently overwhelmed with an unpleasant this is way too loud, the music is congested and I must be bothering my wife sensation.

No one I know has ever described ATC monitors as fatiguing, so I am starting to wonder:

1) Despite relatively high power of the Behringer amps in a monoblock configuration, is it possible that they are overdriven and distorting at not terribly loud levels?If so, would this type of distortion, rather than overly hot tweeters, be a more obvious culprit for fatigue?

2) Or could grunge in my AC also contribute to listeners fatigue? Would some of you recommend a line conditioner rather than an upgrade to the amps for this desktop system?

The fatigue I am trying to describe always manifests itself as 'this is uncomfortably loud' sensation.

Thank you for your thoughts and comments on this and the topic of listeners' fatigue.

cwlondon
cwlondon
blindjim
3,092 posts
 
Cwlondon

All the rhetoric & theoretical causalities aside... I feel a solution (if one is truly being sought) rests with either spot replacement of the components of the now rig, and/or the addition of power filtering… and pass that, perhaps some changes in wires or isolation footers. All of which have IMO made for a far more listenable condition… and you are seeking a solution, correct? Not merely theorizing about whuy fatigue occurs, right?

To prove this out, you can simply take the whole setup and being to swap it’s components with the main system. AS you’ll then see if it does the same thing (s) there. That will give you better insight as to what’s what.

A very quick way to easy listening is adding a pair of Nirvana SL interconnects… or speaker cables… I think they can even make a ground loop not so bad.

Whenever I perceive a problem somewhere I always ask, “What’s the common denominator?” …. Or what has changed?

Gotta start somewhere though, huh?
jax2
3,031 posts
 
You mention that your conversion is via a HagTech USB interface...is this the Chime DAC or is it just the small, inexpensive S/PDIF/USB converter? If the latter, I would suggest you try a different DAC in its place. I did not find that converter to be very good in my system and to my ears, and would suspect it may have something to do with your fatigue if it's what you are using. Otherwise, if you are using the Chime DAC I have no experience to speak of. That front-end conversion is critical IMO though. I did some extensive listening with the Benchmark DAC so many folks love and found myself wanting to leave the room after half an hour of listening because, in my system it seemed to render a very strident high-end. YMMV, but I'd consider your front end as well.
johnmcelfresh
97 posts
 
I know that, when I moved to a new home, my listening enjoyment was greatly reduced and I thought my new listening room must be the culprit, a hopeless cause. Then one day (a couple sad years later) I was talking to someone at an audio store and he challenged me to try power conditioning, offering a 30 day, unconditional, money-back guarantee.

I took the offer, and it was the most significant upgrade I ever did for my system. The power in my house was so bad that it was ruining my system's sound. I have since upgraded considerably and run dedicated circuits, etc, but continue to use the power conditioning equipment, as most of the problem is probably generated in my own home (motors, computers, plasma TVs, etc.)

You don't have to spend a fortune. Even a $200 Monster Power Bar can have an amazing impact. Try it - from a store that offers a 30 day trial.

BTW - my system is now 100% digital (though it wsn't when I first bought the power conditioner) so don't let anyone tell you digtal has to be fatiguing. No one could possible call my current system fatiguing.

John
undertow
1,033 posts
 
POWER delivery... I had a home with problems on the Grid.. at times during the day between about midnight and 7 in the morning, (mostly when people were asleep) the system was in its best buttery and hi current delivery state, with no listener fatigue, however listen between about 4 pm and 10 pm at night and it was much more forward and thinned out sounding.. Obviously it has to do with the transformers and supplies to everybodys homes and all the appliances etc.. running during the peak times.. I could tell this just about everytime. Fixing it can become somewhat a messy solution to many and expensive.. Listen at midnight and then at 12 noon the next day on a saturday or something and see what you find out!!
Good Luck
cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 
Thank you, everyone.

Jax2, I am a little confused. Yes, I am using the inexpensive Hag Tech box, but I have assumed it was converting USB to SPDIF only, which I then input to my Audio Research DAC 5.

Is there some reason that signal chain is worse than I thought?

Undertow, from an intuitive perspective your comments make the most sense. We live in a small village with old and stresed infrastructure, frequent power outages and regular line fluctuations from 110-120 volts, according the volt meter on my power strip.

Re Power conditioners, I have just looked at the PS Audio "regenerators".

If, in fact, this type of device can take erratic, noisy electricity and regenerate it into a perfect power supply, does this mean it would be no longer necessary to run a dedicated line, dedicated sub panel etc?

Thanks for all ideas.
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