Turned my rig on for the first time

treitz3
treitz3 Posts: 19,034
edited November 2008 in 2 Channel Audio
Turned my rig on for the first time in a week and 1/2 and it sounded like ****. Anybody who can stand this kind of abuse, what was your reintroduction to audio like?

Mine would make me want to quit [don't [B]ever[/B] think I'm serious]. With each given hour, the magic returns and it's not psychoacoustics. What do you think? I'm into hour two and it still sounds like ****.

I'm for real. Used to leaving my system on 24/7. After two hours of being on.............
~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
Post edited by treitz3 on
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,572
    edited February 2008
    Some days it'll sound like ****, some days it'll sound like heaven. Nature of the beast.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited February 2008
    I'll insert the default CP answer.

    "Upgrade your crossovers"

    Cheers,
    Russ
    (and it doesn't matter if you already did, do it again)
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited February 2008
    This is a symptom of an acoustic problem somewhere. You are adapting to the problem when listening every day. If all were right then it would sound better when you listen after an absence. I would put some serious thought into it next time it happens. Ask yourself what is making you feel uncomfortable or making you feel as if it were not perfect. Soundstage depth or width? Bad tonal balance? Peaks or dips somewhere? Tone of the individual instruments? Confusion of the sound? Not playing vinyl? :D
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2008
    I tend to agree with Max on this...sounds like something isn't quite right.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2008
    I always enjoy mine from the minute I sit down to listen. I don't recall thinking my rig is sounding like "****"....ever.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,776
    edited February 2008
    shack wrote: »
    I always enjoy mine from the minute I sit down to listen. I don't recall thinking my rig is sounding like "****"....ever.

    Same here. Maybe it's the equipment.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2008
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Turned my rig on for the first time

    Mine also sounds like **** when turned off. Glad you discovered the on/off switch.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • jcaut
    jcaut Posts: 1,849
    edited February 2008
    My stereo and my **** (it's mono) sound completely different. Something must be wrong with yours.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited February 2008
    The system didn't change. You did.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2008
    Its all junk...give it to me to recycle and start fresh.

    Chuck
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited February 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    The system didn't change. You did.


    Although it can depending on warm up time and if you have moved anything around, moved cables etc.
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited February 2008
    I meant that one's mood, state of mind, energy level, stress level, blood/alcohol level, etc. all play a role in whether your system goes from "it's great!" to "it sucks" in a few days, even though you didn't make any changes to it. Hell, sometimes you just get bored with the sound and wanna tweak something just to make it sound slightly different. It's like having great sex with a woman with great knockers. After a while, the thrill wears off and you go in search of even greater knockers.

    The grass is always greener...(sigh)...
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited February 2008
    When I feel mine sounds like ****, I go listen to my son's iPod dock.


    Easy fix...
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
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  • ShinAce
    ShinAce Posts: 1,194
    edited February 2008
    After a few days off from listening, I find the bass seems louder than need be. I get accustomed again within 2 hours.

    I've never had my system sounds like **** because I hadn't used it in a while.
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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,428
    edited February 2008
    I take it you're not an **** man?

    :D

    Jay
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,572
    edited February 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    I meant that one's mood, state of mind, energy level, stress level, blood/alcohol level, etc. all play a role in whether your system goes from "it's great!" to "it sucks" in a few days, even though you didn't make any changes to it. Hell, sometimes you just get bored with the sound and wanna tweak something just to make it sound slightly different. It's like having great sex with a woman with great knockers. After a while, the thrill wears off and you go in search of even greater knockers.

    The grass is always greener...(sigh)...

    BINGO!!!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited February 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    I. It's like having great sex with a woman with great knockers. After a while, the thrill wears off and you go in search of even greater knockers.

    But you still have a great pair of knockers, if the new and improved knockers dont work out.
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,034
    edited February 2008
    I'm guessing that with this Odyssey amp and tubed source, the system has to be on for some time in order for it to really shine. I'm listening to it now and once again it sounds absolutely wonderful. The bass is back punching hard and accurate as opposed to flimsy, busy and "slow" if you will. The mids are fluid again and the top end sounds natural again and not harsh or unnatural.

    I've never had a system that does this before. There is a big difference between the sound now and when I first turned it on again.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited February 2008
    As weird as it seems I've noticed my speakers need a little warm up time before they sound their best. I've confirmed this by having the electronics on for quite some time (with nothing playing) before initial listening vs playing before initial listening. Too keep the test reasonable I've left the room in the second scenerio so I don't become accustomed to the sound.
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • Yashu
    Yashu Posts: 772
    edited February 2008
    Warmup makes a big difference, and so does the power that comes out of the wall. I notice that music sounds it's best at 3am, when fewer people are using the grid.

    But yeah, some days I want to throw it all at the wall, but then I would be without music.

    This may have been already answered, but I am curious.... what about it sounds like ****? Is it harsh HF, is it muddy bottom end? No life to the sound? Terrible soundstage? Fatiguing listen?

    Sometimes change is good... and fun too.

    I noticed you described some of the symptoms, warmup issues, but also maybe it is time to roll some tubes?
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited February 2008
    treitz3 wrote: »
    I'm guessing that with this Odyssey amp and tubed source, the system has to be on for some time in order for it to really shine. I'm listening to it now and once again it sounds absolutely wonderful. The bass is back punching hard and accurate as opposed to flimsy, busy and "slow" if you will. The mids are fluid again and the top end sounds natural again and not harsh or unnatural.

    I've never had a system that does this before. There is a big difference between the sound now and when I first turned it on again.

    That Odyssey isn't supposed to be turned off. What tha hell were you thinking?:p
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • capecodder
    capecodder Posts: 613
    edited February 2008
    Yashu wrote: »
    Warmup makes a big difference, and so does the power that comes out of the wall. I notice that music sounds it's best at 3am, when fewer people are using the grid.

    Wow, that may be completely true and I am not saying it isn't (trying to be tactful here). I just have a hard time believing the implied cause (less people on grid) and effect (better, cleaner(?) sound).
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited February 2008
    Time to sell all your current gear and replace it with new / used stuff.

    That's what I do anytime my rig starts to lose its luster. . .

    It's also what I do when my rig sounds great so I can make it sound greater. . .

    Basically, I am constantly buying and selling and I see no end in sight unless / until I go deaf.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2008
    capecodder wrote: »
    Wow, that may be completely true and I am not saying it isn't (trying to be tactful here). I just have a hard time believing the implied cause (less people on grid) and effect (better, cleaner(?) sound).
    It may not be cleaner at night, just more plentiful.

    My voltage averages from 118-120 during the day, 114-118 in the early evening, then eventually increasing to 125-128 from 1-4am.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited February 2008
    capecodder wrote: »
    Wow, that may be completely true and I am not saying it isn't (trying to be tactful here). I just have a hard time believing the implied cause (less people on grid) and effect (better, cleaner(?) sound).

    Gotta agree with Yashu. That's been my experience, too. Late night (ugh --early morning) listening is best.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • capecodder
    capecodder Posts: 613
    edited February 2008
    Like I said, it may be totally true. I have never really understood the whole voltage fluctuation, power conditioning thing very well. I plug something into the wall and if it turns on I am grenerally happy.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,034
    edited February 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    That Odyssey isn't supposed to be turned off. What the hell were you thinking?:p
    Well, it wasn't my choice. Some dude in a Ford F-150 plowed over the junction box and main x-nsfrmr that leads into the neighborhood. He didn't stop until half way into the Quizno's. They had put us on a temporary hookup for power so I unplugged the system until they got the grid back to the permanent one [precautionary].

    When I found out we were back to the permanent grid, I plugged her back in and that's when it sounded like ****. It sounded so bad, I just let it play and left the room. There was almost no deep bass and what was there seemed to be not tight and a little slow. The mids were a clusterf*ck of sound with not much separation of the instruments or voices and the highs were harsh, limited and not accurate, much like a clipping amplifier but this was at low listening levels.

    I can not comment on the sound stage, channel separation or any other aspect because I had absolutely no desire to listen to it. It was that bad. It was almost like it was amplifying distortion with all the life completely sucked out of it. It was not musical at all. Very similar to the sound I had when I first received the Stratos. That time it took about 3-4 days to get into the groove but this time it took about a day and a half. She sounds really, really good right now listening to Evanescence's "Anywhere but Home" (live) album.

    Now, as to the electrical grid that leads to your house....when the total load of the grid has a high demand, your rig can't shine like she does when the grid has very little demand. This is the same thing as turning on a vacuum cleaner in your room, lights go down right? When the vacuum is on, the circuit is in high demand. Same principle with the electrical grid that supplies the household.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,034
    edited February 2008
    AndyGwis wrote: »
    Time to sell all your current gear and replace it with new / used stuff.
    :eek: :eek: :eek:

    It sounds wonderful now and I've already done that twice last year. My wallet can't take it anymore!
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited February 2008
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Well, it wasn't my choice. Some dude in a Ford F-150 plowed over the junction box and main x-nsfrmr that leads into the neighborhood. He didn't stop until half way into the Quizno's. They had put us on a temporary hookup for power so I unplugged the system until they got the grid back to the permanent one [precautionary].


    Damn, treitz -- you always seem to have electrical issues. What's your problem, dude? Did you screw an electrician's wife in a previous life?
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,034
    edited February 2008
    Hehe, I must have! :eek: :D
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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