What causes listener fatique? cure?

Hi, I have also battled this problem since I started this hobby. I have come to the conclusion that it is the "balance" of the sound that affects the musicality/long term listenability of the system. The non-fatiquing systems will force you to turn the volume up higher and higher while the fatiquing systems force you to turn the volume down. So, if the high's are too aggressive compared to a missing bottom end, or midrange, it will be off balance and hence...fatique.
It is very easy for a listener to get fooled by the deep bass, or airy highs.... I have found a balanced non fatiquing sound with my vandersteen 3asig/audio research tube/Linn combination. Yes, one can argue that it is not as "airy" or punchy..etc. But, at the end of the day, I am listening to music more ! I used to have fast, punch sound...guess what, I only used it to impress people and never sat down to listen myself !! good luck.

My wife and her country music!!! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!

Hey Clint, Is there a cure for country music. Great adress

Oh the joy of staying home from work when you finally found a system that gives you smooth extended highs that you can listen to all day. We are all different! Between working on jet aircraft in the A.F. or tuning many a bracket car with open headers, my hearing has been modified. So I am sure that my final selection is different from many others. That is why Audiogon has been so great. I have had to run over a lot of whoop-de-dooes to get that wonderfully relaxing smooth but extended high end. And there are many ways to get there.

There has been much talk about listener 'fatigue' being caused by, among other things - many of which have been pointed out above, excessive RFI/EMI interference riding on top of the music. I'm not an expert on the topic, but I understand that CD players are especially problematic in this area and can be tweaked and modified to good effect. Power line conditioning that is synergistic with your system and listening tastes may be a point to consider as well. I have personally been rather intrigued by this topic and have just been getting around to tweaking on this level. I have picked up a pair of Walker High Definition Links which are specifically aimed at RFI reduction and they have had a very interesting effect on my system; a subtle yet pervasive enhancement that has me thinking about what to do next.