Interconnects Roller Coaster Ride

Regarding line voltage, there is no way I personally know of for testing that. But I have noticed a halogen lamp in my adjacent room cycling in brightness for periods of time some evenings while I am listening. Would that be an indication of line voltage variation?

Yes, it certainly could be. According to this Wikipedia writeup on Halogen lamps, their light output is approximately proportional to a voltage change, expressed as a ratio, raised to the third power. Meaning that a 5% increase in voltage would cause about a (1.05^3) = 16% increase in light output. That is slightly less than the effect that a similar voltage change would have on the output of a regular incandescent bulb, where the light output is approximately proportional to the voltage ratio raised to the 3.4 power, resulting in a 5% voltage increase causing an increase of about (1.05^3.4) = 18% in light output.

Regards,
-- Al

I would expect that line voltage variation would affect your preamp, amps and speakers.

It might be a good idea to get a voltmeter in the same room with you. If the system is sounding good, make a note of the line voltage. Do the same for when it is not and then compare. You'll find out very quickly what is up.

I am very confident it's not the wires.

If the pattern repeats itself at regular listening intervals, most likely it is your ears picking up on something that is not right after a certain period of time. The new ICs may just be enabling this to a greater extent than prior.

More info on what sounds "bad" the third night would be helpful to facilitate some more useful feedback perhaps.

I am very confident it's not the wires.

If the pattern repeats itself at regular listening intervals, most likely it is your ears picking up on something that is not right after a certain period of time. The new ICs may just be enabling this to a greater extent than prior.

More info on what sounds "bad" the third night would be helpful to facilitate some more useful feedback perhaps.

With tube gear, the tubes themselves (old? weak? not operating up to spec?) should always be an early suspect when something is not sounding right.

Mapman, I cannot imagine how anyone can say confidently that it is not the wires. But I know how fruitless this argument is.

Kisawyer, Radio Shack has inexpensive digital meters that will allow you to monitor your line voltage.

But the real question is how has your sound been since you first posted. If I am right, it would be getting better. If you find it varies by the time of day or continues to get worse, our hypotheses need to change.