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Is dirty power the culprit?

One of the most frustrating experiences I have with home audio is when one day the system sounds so wonderful you are convinced you do not need to change a thing in your system and are set for life. Then the following day or a couple of days later the system sounds like a collection of items purchased at toys are us.

All attempts at adjusting VTA or VTF or whatever you can think of is to no avail. I'm left with the only solution, shut the system down and wait for a better day.

It probably does not help that I live in a condominium near downtown Boston. I am certain there must be other audiophiles living in similar circumstances. How do you deal with this problem? Is it always a problem with electricity? I would appreciate your input.
montepilot
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,303 posts
 
So if the problem is indeed dirty/variable quality power, aren't there meters or other gadgets out there that can measure and confirm this rather than guess or assume and possibly avoid a (potentially expensive) wild goose chase?
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
voltage variation, temperature in the room, tubes, oxidation--there are many variables.

i would consider some kind of power conditioning as has already been suggested. perhaps, you could borrow some device, before commiting to a purchase.
tonywinsc
583 posts
 
Maybe leave your system on for several days and see if you still experience the variation- especially if you have tubes in your system.

I hate to use the "C" word, but capacitors are strange little critters. A buddy of mine back in the 80's told me that they mechanically adjust themselves and can make a system sound dull until they have had time to form. Fact or myth, I know that if the amp/preamp has been turned off for several weeks the system will sound dull for a day or so.

But even back then, my buddy's tube amps would some nights sound dull and they attributed it to the caps.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,303 posts
 
Leaving the amp on is a good idea for a test to see if that makes things sound more consistent. Problem is it is not practical with tubes on a regular basis because you will shorten tube life. Works good with SS amps though. I do it all the time.
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