Do the Audio gods shine upon you?

There are moments of calm and lucidity, in the dark of night, when the sound of the audio system is direct, the silence is pure, the transparency complete, when everything is heard precisely and not a single particular sound escapes the ear, when the mind is astonished to find itself (in these intervals) in this particular instant of duration rather than in any other, and if a thought arrives that us more complex than the sensation of the mere existence of the music, it can be redirected away like a traveller who has gotten lost and has asked directions to somewhere else and has already left after some assistance leaving me quite alone again.

...and afterwards, Slawney,when you woke up in your listening chair, the filled glass of red wine still firmly grasped in your left hand, you'll wonder if it was only a fata morgana....

Bravo Slawney. Bravissimo Detlof! Would bet even money on Machiafava Bignami over Fata Morgana however.

Yes, THAT phenonenon again. First it was time of day, then it was supposed to be a mood swing, then drink or drug were blamed on my good/ill fortune. Perhaps you, like myself are just imagining this whole thing and we are really only listening to the equivalent of a 70's rack system!? Sorry about all that silliness, I really don't have an explanation or nice theory for you. I can only share my similiar experience with this and report that as my system has become more refined - and expensive - those ill times are less so; replaced by a more consistant level of supreme performance, where all sessions are enjoyable w/o that nagging feeling that something or someone has messed it all up during your absense. As the chinese waiter said; ENJOY! MikE

Slowhand, there are literally dozens of varables involved when it comes down to the perfect evening in front of the HI-FI. More times than not it's usually some kind of background noise that you're only aware of on a sub-concious level. You can't actually hear it but if it went away you would notice immediately. (ie: refrigerator running or perhaps outside sprinklers, or even a cooling fan on the back of an amp?) Also, the material or recording could have a lot to do with it. Finnally, mood will have the most dramatic effect on the way things sound. We all know that if you are not completely relaxed and at ease with yourself and in a great mood, things will sound different. Just my .2