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System sounds better at night?

I have noticed that my system sounds MUCH better at night, after about 10pm than at any other time of day. It is clearer, more open and transparent, with a blacker background. Another audiophile told me that this is not real, it's just that there is less noise in the household at night. I disagree in that what I hear (or don't hear) is not simply due to less ambient noise but rather cleaner sound. Will power line conditioners simulate these effects during the day? Has anyone else noticed this and what is the most effective way to get better sound during the daytime? Serious responses only, please.
jc4659
sean
6,231 posts
 
Tell your buddy that someone is "smokin' somethin'" but it's not you. This is a common occurance and you are not alone in your findings. My systems typically sounds noticeably better after about 1 or 2 in the morning. Soundstage becomes far more vivid and detailed, there is a "haze" or "grunge" that is removed, everything becomes more lucid, etc.... While i wish that i could achieve these results all the time, it is probably not achievable unless one has their own generator system to plug into or the capability of being able to run everything off batteries. Sean
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tacs
220 posts
 
check out steve deckert's musings on his site www.decware.com. great stuff, some speculative, about late night listening.
it has to do with fewer draws on the power grid from the general public at night; more relaxed state of mind at night?; less ambient light means more concentration on sounds instead of sights; different electrical characteristics while insulated from the sun...all these things add up!
garfish
1,840 posts
 
My system goes into this super quiet hyper-drive mode about 11 PM every night-- it's a well known phenomenon among audiophiles as Sean notes above.

As to achieving this quality during the day; putting in a dedicated AC system, ground system, high quality power cords, and getting rid of my power conditioner helped a lot. But even then, the 11 PM effect became even more pronounced. Cheers. Craig.
mcne
113 posts
 
I tell the truth. I now have most of the atributes from this condition with my preamp and CD player pluged into a PS audio Power Plant 300, and Sonic Horizons Skyline A/C power cords, and dedicated lines. This is not an ad. I paid for it all. But I live in power ravaged Southern Calif. with all kinds of industrial pollution. I still get a more refined musical experiance at night. But I also get a very much improved sound all day. Maybe it is just that I am less than 5 miles from Disneyland and all that happiness makes the the Power Plant sound better.
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