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Effects of Power Outages Where You Live

More and more, power outages seem to be an issue for me and I believe for audiophiles in general. We have had two wind storms like never before in the last 5 months that wiped out the power in my area of Ohio. Major work by the electric company has to be done to restore the power when these storms occur. Power was lost at my home once for 7 days back in September because of an extreme wind storm. The one that just happened caused only about 24 hours with lost power. How long do you think it takes your audio system's performance to restore to normal after you have unplugged it and it sits for 24 hours? Additionally, when the electric company is rebuilding damaged equipment, adding new transformers etc. what affect do you think this has or has had to the power in your area? What affect(s) has this had on the performance of your audio system?
foster_9
sns
3,334 posts
 
My experience mirrors Foster, everytime my PC shuts down my system takes at least a day to sound right. My digital runs 24/7, my preamp standby, and PC transformer wiring drawing current. Think about a hard shutoff, I can imagine a lot of parts are being highly stressed, I would think they need some time to recover. Changes to the power grid may be affecting things as well, they have been highly stressed as well. Think about all the new parts, their burn in times, difference in design, you may have an entirely different sounding grid after all these changes.

I don't know about 48 hours for digital, but I do know it takes longer than my other equipment to sound it's best. I leave my digital on 24/7.

I don't think we're talking about soft shutoffs here.
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foster_9 OP
1,638 posts
 
Bob_bundus, yes my integrated is solid state (Blue Circle BMPH). Sns you are spot on with thoughts I mentioned in my original post. With all the new equipment that the power company had to use to bring the grid back and rebuilding etc it must affect the end result into our homes. I notice a difference in general in the electric at my house. And in particular my system after almost 3 dsys sounds tipped up. It has more high end but is leaner with less weight and less low end overall. Hopefully the sonics will come back into balance with time. But how can anyone expect all the work the power company has to do in these situations not to affect the power coming into your home? As sensitive as an audio system can be it surely could affect its performance.
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Foster, Salem Oh here, where are you????
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
I have heard that 48 hour rule too, not to say I agree or discount that theory but I have heard it before.
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