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When Did Your System Disappear?

As we upgrade our audio systems, things (hopefully) keep sounding better and better. I have found that after a certain point, the system completely disappears. It’s no longer a pair of speakers, amps, preamps, sources, etc. Music is created out of thin air floating between and behind the speakers with little to no colorations in the sound. The regular audio verbiage can be thrown out the window because all you hear is the recording. If something is bright or harsh or bass heavy, it’s the recording not your system.
I noticed this when I modified my source and preamp to accept better power supplies. Using a combination of linear power supplies and large SLA batteries took my system to a new level where the equipment just disappears. Of course, this wasn’t the only thing that helped. Up to that point, every component has been experimented on to achieve a high degree of synergy. Interconnects, power cables, speaker cables, etc. all play a role too. Everything matters. 

My question to you all is when did this happen in your system? Did it develop slowly over time or was there a definite change that occurred with a certain upgrade?
128x128mkgus
ddriveman
171 posts
 
When I switched to my current Rethm Saadhana speakers. I thought I already had it for years but these speakers took it to another level completely. Now, I have listerners who have never heard any audio systems in their life, just look stunned and shock at the image in the middle, completely outside and free of the 2 speaker cabinets. They're always complimenting about how the music is beautiful, realistic, with real presence plus a believable soundstage and image.
Before, my system appealed to audiophiles but first time listeners might be impressed but not quite enthralled. Now they just sit and want me to play their favourite tune after tune.

bigkidz
3,374 posts
 
Not surprised that this happened when you upgraded power supplies.  But simply adding an AC filter choke also will help in that area.  Better capacitors and resistors will also help a system disappear. Much cheaper than cables, and all the other tweaks, etc.

Happy Listening.
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,610 posts
 
It happened when I added an Audio Research LS10 preamp to my system.  The result was an immediate effect of shock and awe.  It has only gotten better over the years as I've moved up the chain of Audio Research preamps.
pokey77
1,265 posts
 
Interesting discussion. I heard my speakers totally disappear at the dealers, whom I visited many times before committing to the $$. I could not afford to bring the whole system home, but I got the speakers and an amazing pre/amp combo. Sometimes in the last 1.5 years since I brought the system home the speakers would disappear. I've been working at speaker positioning, power cables, sorting the room, isolation, cable lifters, etc.

Recently got an EtherREGEN and can say that now the speakers disappear on any good material. You can just stand in the stage. It is truly amazing how much the ER brought to the game, or really, removed. It has isolated all the grunge that was riding in on my newly installed 300mbs fiber line that was just installed in the neighborhood in the last six months. The ER is the best upgrade yet, and less than $700 delivered. So if you stream, check it out. I am now looking at purchasing an upgraded JS-2 linear power supply for the ER. Power is very important, like all things in audio.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
When the funds in my account disappeared...
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