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Tweak your AC mains for better performance, free

If you haven't done this before or recently, try it. It will improve the performance of your audio system, particularly if you have an older circuit panel in your home. Go to the AC circuit panel. You'll have a main breaker that runs power to all the circuit breakers in your home: turn that breaker off and back on. This will shut off all the power to your home, momentarily. Then turn all the breakers on your panel off and on. By the way, electricians recommend doing this once a year. I hadn't done this in several years (I always forget) but, I happen to remember it because one of my breakers had shut off. Anyway, after I performed this simple on/off task, the next time I turned on my audio system, the sonics really improved. The soundstage had opened up with more width and depth, fullness was improved, and so was the overall resolution and presence of the system. I noticed it immediately, and then remembered that earlier I had flipped all the breakers on the panel. I don't have a dedicated line yet, or any fancy custom audiophile breaker panels, but the results of this simple task proved once again the dramatic affect AC delivery has on what you hear from your sytstem. I can only imagine what one can hear with dedicated lines, custom breaker panels, and audio grade outlets. For me, the best I can do now is a power regenerator that I just ordered a conditioner and a few good outlets. My system: LSA DK Signature Integrated, Modwright Sony 999ES (tube rectified PS 9.0), Acoustic Zen Reference Matrix II IC's, Jolida JD 100, Acoustic Zen Satori Speaker Cable, Shunyata Hydra 4 PLC, various aftermarket PC's, FIM 880 outlets.
foster_9
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
I turned on my audio system, the sonics really improved. The soundstage had opened up with more width and depth, fullness was improved, and so was the overall resolution and presence of the system. I noticed it immediately, and then remembered that earlier I had flipped all the breakers on the panel.

You may have a faulty breaker with high contact resistance causing too much of a voltage drop to the AC power reaching your system. I'd call an electrician to take a look at that panel. Any undue warmth will indicate a serious problem.
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dpac996
714 posts
 
Foster_9
Do you normally leave your equipment on all the time?
jsawhitlock
302 posts
 
I think the suggestion of turning your breakers off/on by electricians are more the switch as I have found breakers that have not been turned off for years some times have difficulty tripping. The inside of your typical redidentual circuit breakers contacts are like the contacts of relays, and have no metal on metal sliding or wipping going on. When you switch a circuit breaker on it moves a little arm with a contact on it towards a stationary contact like a relay, (take one apart). If you want to read something interesting do a search on stab-lock or federal pacific as these breakers had major problems tripping when a short accured. You may also want to remove the breaker that feeds your audio and clean the contacts on the breaker with progold or your favorite audio cleaner as this can be good also.
foster_9 OP
1,638 posts
 
Dpac999- I occasionally turn off my system, but most of the time my gear is turned on. Jsawhitlock, whatever the action that took place--I guess it was the mains switch that was responsible for the altered sonics rather than the breakers. That being the case- I definitely recommend flipping the mains switch on your panel at least once a year.
tgrisham
1,291 posts
 
I think Shadorne is on the right track. I would worry about the environment of the circuit box-humidity and corrosion. For what its worth, none of my certified electrician friends recommend switching circuit breakers off and on. Is this considered standard practice? Because there is so much voodoo in audio, I have become jaded and, of course, everyone's ears are different, so do whatever seems right to you. This accounts for the sale of $2500+ power cables. Sometimes it is what you believe will happen that accounts for your perceptions. Audio is hardly objective.
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