The Midnight Effect - Who-How?

@rooze - it was always an audiophile "truth" that systems sounded better at night when there was less demand on the grid. It does make some sense to me since you are essentially playing your power supplies with amplifiers and those in turn depend on what’s coming out of the wall receptacles.

I installed a very robust electrical "subsystem" for my main system (which ties back to the main household ground) and uses a large iso-transformer. I have fewer electrical anomalies here in Central Texas than I did in a small village along the Hudson in NY. I attributed a lot of that to newer infrastructure, despite the fact that I’m virtually "in town" rather than out in the country.

But, having said all that, when the temps here reach 110F in the summer (and we can have 60+ days of over 100 degree heat) I simply don’t use the main system much. We receive warnings about the grid being "iffy"- and it puts me off.

PS: As to the regenerators, I have no idea. I heard early iterations of those, but never lived with them.

PPS: I took a quick look at the PS Audio forum and there seems to be some suggestion that its regenerators are still susceptible to certain forms of noise. One user, John H, was a frequent contributor to those discussions.

You missed my comment about measuring you ambient noise floor at various times….. that’s ok….most audiophiles lack an SPL meter for level matching and other essential tasks…..

:-)

kijanki

... Most AM radio stations are required by the FCC’s rules to reduce their power or cease operating at night ...

That’s true, although there aren’t many daytimers left anymore. What I was correcting was your previous claim that radio stations are required "to reduce power from 2 hours before local sunset to 2 hours after local sunrise."

As I noted, FM stations remain at full power. Any station - AM or FM - actually needs special authorization to operate below licensed power.

I heard it on Friday/Saturday morning and it was almost like someone had flicked a switch. Or more like someone had suddenly placed extensive acoustic treatments in the room.. the soundstage just opened up in all directions and the sense of presence and of natural tone….

It sounds as if the acid must have just kicked in.

I "warm up" my ears before seriously listening. I start at very low volume while "getting my head together". I allow my brain to "tune in" to whatever is on at that volume until I can hear details and depth. At some point the "switch gets flipped" and I turn up the volume. I'm sure there are various electrical and electronic variables changing, but my focus is already fixed on the sound of the music.