Dirty mains I think I must have a problem

You may remember the other week I was saying my HIFI sounded really good but I have just had a cold so maybe that was it, but I have been fine for the last few weeks.

I am listening to it now and its sounds very sweet, smooth and the bass is really deep and fast, it normaly sounds a lot of flatter than this.

Either somthing is very wrong with my amp or I have a dirty mains problem. I am currently using cheap blocks to provide power would investing in slightly better quality ones make a difference?

I can't afford any fancy mains filtering and I am not confident in the DIY option, I don't want my parents house burning down!

 

I am listening to it now and its sounds very sweet, smooth and the bass is really deep and fast, it normaly sounds a lot of flatter than this.


eh? so why change anything?

 

I often have a similar problem to yours. Although I leave the system on 24/7, sometimes the same CD can sound flat and thin, other times its fast and full.

Could be a problem with the mains, but I am not sure a filter would help. Could be just state of mind.

If you find the answer, please let me know.

 

So what's the problem, you want it to sound more boring?

Have your parents changed electricity companies, it could be they're getting cheaper lower grade electriciy now. Ring Powergen and ask them

 

Ripping your parents wiring out isn't really an option, so I would suggest whisky. That keeps things mellow round here (or is that apple juice)

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=295&item=5748593388&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

 

Nah he needs one of these







































I saw something somewhere that told you how to make one of those for about 35p and it would fit into an ordinary plug. Think it was on HFC

 

The problem is tomorrow when I listen it will probably sound flat and boring. The sound quality seems to change quite dramaticaly even when playing the same CDs.

Also we haven't changed supply. Its probably the fact that the washing machine, dishswasher, fridge and tumble dryer are often at the same time. My parents electricity bills is big enough to lease a BMW on.

 

You can make a power station fit in a plug for 35p?

 

Yep. Give us a million pounds and I'll tell you how I do it

 

Changes in sound quality can come from differing voltages at different times of day, even with high quality mains filtering. You've heard of the 'midnight sound', surely? (also to do with generally being more relaxed at that time of night too, but that's another thread...). At times of day when the voltages are higher, sound quality tends to be better. Couple this with a noisy mains supply as you describe and the variations in sound quality can be quite dramatic.

 

It may just be you Amazingtrade

 

Mr C, its not just the different voltages that may cause a variation in the sound quality, Having preformed an in-depth mains quality study for 6 months taking over 240 samples a day from 8 different sites. How far you are situated from sub stations, industrial areas, high demand locations etc.
Mains makes a different. Wm

 

From your in depth study, what are the best ways of minimising the vagaries of the power supply?

Mains conditioners, fancy power leads, filters, separate spurs, batteries, your own personal power station or do we just have to put up with what we get?

 

Seperate spurs, are a good place to start, sperate consumer unit, and switchless sockets, isolates your equipment from internaly generated shite.
This though by no means cures the problem, but does help.
Passive mains conditioning make a another big leap, after that its personal taste with fancy power leads.
I don't have seperate spurs at home. and I use a 100amp inlet fuse and 25m tails to the dist box too.

 

I thought 100amp inlet fuse was standard.

 

Tony - how is the Omiga Power Station product coming along?

 

I've nearly cracked micro-fusion in a box, Greg just a wee sip longer Captain

 

We must be lucky in our house... It's still variable, but not by much. The substation is about 40 feet (line of sight!) from our house, and there are 3 different consumer units (relics of when the place was a shop and bedsitters). Nicely!

Shame about the cardboard walls and trampline floorboards...