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When Everything Comes Together

I enjoy listening to music on my system on a regular basis. I would say 10-15 hours a week. But, every once in a while, something is different. The sound stage is wider and deeper, the vocals are more life like and focused, the imaging is magical. I had such an experience last night. Everything I played gave me goosebumps! Pearl Jam's 10 album, The Eagles Hotel California, Metallica's Unforgiven, Enter the Sandman and Nothing Else Matters, Elton John's Tiny Dancer, Levon and Madman Across the Water and I finished up with Ozzy's No More Tears and Momma I'm Coming Home.  With each song I sat there soaking in every note. It was almost a religious experience! A lot goes into critical listening and a lot of components have to work together to get it right, including the listener being in the right frame of mind. I guess I was there last night. It was all about the music and my system completely disappeared. I love this hobby!
128x128baclagg
gsal's avatar
gsal
27 posts
 
Interesting topic and one that I have been considering for some time. I have found that your state of mind has more of an effect on the listening experience than many an equipment change. Some days the music sounds just OK and other times it is presented in all its glorious, highly detailed, 3D soundstage. I've learned to live with it and enjoy those good times when they occur. One thing that has become a constant, however, is the fact that my system must have been on AND playing music for about 2 hours before I can even hope for a religious experience despite the fact that my electronics are always in a standby mode. I generally throw on a CD, let it play in repeat mode and return to my room later in the day for any serious listening. I believe it has to do with the capacitors "forming". Perhaps someone more knowledgeable could enlighten us on this.
mammothguy54's avatar
mammothguy54
952 posts
 
It's Saturday, and I am confident that later this evening, after a hit or two on the pipe, my system will sound the best it has to offer.  This is a very repeatable condition, as proven every Saturday night.  It's been that way since my very first audio system, at age 18.  Back then, however, it was most nights not just Saturday night...LOL
chorus
976 posts
 
Some will say your "Cleaner" night time a/c is the reason.
Maybe a little. I have to believe that our bodies, ears etc
have different "Settings" at different times. What changes these settings has yet to be discovered. This is not a scientific explanation I admit but this is what I experience. Sometimes my system sounds fantastic but sometimes I say "what is so special about my gear"? Can make you a little crazy. 

co93
61 posts
 
Like oldhvymed, my best serious listening isoften when all my dogs join me (two golden retrieves and a yellow lab).  Best part is they never argue with me about what to listen to.  I always laugh when I see ads saying “no pets.”  Such a shame.  Dogs are the superior species….
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,928 posts
 
I'm experiencing those "moments' all the time now after my latest acquisition (speaker cables). Everything sounds so right, all the time. 

I know it when I find myself drifting off to la la land, experiencing a kind of zen relationship with the music. With these cables, I have that experience all the time. I'm starting to drift off by the second track. 

My analytical approach is gone and it's all musical appreciation. I used to have a slight trepidation before listening and it's no longer the case. I've started to listen less than I used to as there's no more impetus to listen for faults to cure. I know it's there when I want to listen.

I've even put off getting a new integrated for awhile and could end up with what I now have until it burns out and quits on me. Yes, this hobby can be fun, especially when it all comes together.

All the best,
Nonoise
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