I don't want to re-open any debate here, but I thought some of you might be interested in my findings (and also the views of an old guy who has been trying to achieve "High Fidelity" sound since before the days when cassette tapes were invented.)
Some few yeas ago, I was convinced that my system sounded better at night and late evening. I read some stuff about the quality of the mains supply and how maybe it might be better at night so decided to "give it a go". I ran a seperate spur from the junction box with shielded cable, to a dedicated, unswitched, socket (yes even the switches can be thought to make a difference). I built a very high spec mains conditioner - much better than any commerically available design and plugged this into the socket. I then plugged the amp and cd player into this and started to do serious back to back testing, to compare the new spur with the old ring main and also both with and without the conditioner. Results?
Zero. Zilch. Diddly squat. Nothing. No noticeable improvement.
Then one day, by accident I found the improvement I was looking for....... I drew the curtains. We have a large patio door and thick heavy curtains. When I listened at night, we had the curtains drawn. During the day they were open. This was reason it sounded better. Nothing to do with the mains supply.
Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that this is any conclusive proof of anything. What I am saying is be very careful that you only change one thing at a time and that this is not as easy as you might think. For example, you may think that your TV picture is somehow better when you use a different stand. Is that really the case or is it because you have slightly re-postioned the TV and moved it away from a poorly sheilded source? You may think your new speaker cable is better than the old one you were using. Is this really true or is it because, when you unplugged the old cable and plugged in the new, it cleaned the terminals?
Most importantly. Personally, I'll take a lot of convincing that mains cables make any sort of difference. However, that's just me. If it works for you, stuff what anybody else thinks, do it! No matter how outrageous it may be and no matter how this is "bucking the trend". It is your system, in your room, and it's your ears. Don't be "one of the flock" but be aware that, in my time, I've seen and heard a lot of "snake oil". Also, at the end of the day, all manufacturers have one thing in common. They all want your money and some of the less scrupulous will make outrageous claims.
Finally, let's all be honest. If we've just spent a lot of our hard earned cash on something, it is very hard to admit that it was a waste of money. This is human nature. But if we are all honest, others will benefit from our experience.
That's it. I'll get down from my soap box now. Sorry to inflict the ramblings of a boring old f**t on you but I thought it might help or at least prompt some thought processes.
Some few yeas ago, I was convinced that my system sounded better at night and late evening. I read some stuff about the quality of the mains supply and how maybe it might be better at night so decided to "give it a go". I ran a seperate spur from the junction box with shielded cable, to a dedicated, unswitched, socket (yes even the switches can be thought to make a difference). I built a very high spec mains conditioner - much better than any commerically available design and plugged this into the socket. I then plugged the amp and cd player into this and started to do serious back to back testing, to compare the new spur with the old ring main and also both with and without the conditioner. Results?
Zero. Zilch. Diddly squat. Nothing. No noticeable improvement.
Then one day, by accident I found the improvement I was looking for....... I drew the curtains. We have a large patio door and thick heavy curtains. When I listened at night, we had the curtains drawn. During the day they were open. This was reason it sounded better. Nothing to do with the mains supply.
Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that this is any conclusive proof of anything. What I am saying is be very careful that you only change one thing at a time and that this is not as easy as you might think. For example, you may think that your TV picture is somehow better when you use a different stand. Is that really the case or is it because you have slightly re-postioned the TV and moved it away from a poorly sheilded source? You may think your new speaker cable is better than the old one you were using. Is this really true or is it because, when you unplugged the old cable and plugged in the new, it cleaned the terminals?
Most importantly. Personally, I'll take a lot of convincing that mains cables make any sort of difference. However, that's just me. If it works for you, stuff what anybody else thinks, do it! No matter how outrageous it may be and no matter how this is "bucking the trend". It is your system, in your room, and it's your ears. Don't be "one of the flock" but be aware that, in my time, I've seen and heard a lot of "snake oil". Also, at the end of the day, all manufacturers have one thing in common. They all want your money and some of the less scrupulous will make outrageous claims.
Finally, let's all be honest. If we've just spent a lot of our hard earned cash on something, it is very hard to admit that it was a waste of money. This is human nature. But if we are all honest, others will benefit from our experience.
That's it. I'll get down from my soap box now. Sorry to inflict the ramblings of a boring old f**t on you but I thought it might help or at least prompt some thought processes.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram