It gets better over time

Kingrex · Friday at 8:53 PM

I was reading a thread where people were discussing.how weeks later they thought something had broken in and was improving everyday.

I just experienced something similar. Thinking back, i've experienced it a couple times. Yet the kicker is, I didn't do anything. I didn't change anything out. I didn't add anything. All I did was walk away from my stereo for a week or two being busy with other things. Low and behold, when I returned and sat in front of my stereo, I was shocked how good it sounded.

I'm not saying that breaking in isn't a real thing. I'm simply acknowledging I have become aware how much my perceptions can change by simply introducing absence. Fortunate for me, upon returning, I am ecstatic with what i'm hearing.

If I WERE to have introduce something new into my system, I would most surely be waving my hands around inviting people to hear how much the product had improved over time.

Has anyone else noticed this? Had a similar experience. Hopefully in a positive way. I would hate to say absence brought a sense of dis-satisfaction when your stereo was ran again. That might be very telling. I can actually think of times in the past where that has happened to me too.

Kingrex · 2024-12-21T10:41:24-0600

No one. I'm an enigma.

Chop · 2024-12-21T10:55:46-0600

OK I'll play

I have experienced the same thing, quite often. I don't listen to the system for a couple of weeks - which I admit doesn't happen very often - and I have sometimes been genuinely amazed at how good it sounds. I have attributed this as being something to do with me using all valves, maybe the capacitors respond well to being fully discharged then recharged, or something....

But I agree with you that its a real thing and I find it mystifying. The thing is, it it happens there must be a reason for it, so it must be replicable... Mustn't it?

FWIW I don't put it down to break in. If its not the capacitors recharging thing then maybe its nothing to do with the duration the system is off and maybe its simply down to coincidence, the quality of the mains supply happened to be really good on the occasion the system sounded really good. Of course that would mean the system being off for a couple of weeks is a complete red herring, just a coincidence.
The only way to prove this I guess would be to put in a battery power supply for everything and bypass the mains, then see whether the system sounds more consistently better.

Which I can't afford.
But Kingrex, thank you for raising the topic.

Joe Whip · 2024-12-21T10:57:20-0600

One’s perception, IMHO, is affected by one’s frame of mind. If I am irritated over something, listening to music often times just irritates me more. Perhaps this plays a role in your experience.

Kingrex · 2024-12-21T11:50:30-0600

If I'm in a bad mood and try to listen, I flip and flip before the song is done.

If I'm drinking I relax and listen more intently through songs.

What I'm talking about is less of an emotional response??? I see it as a reset of my anticipated perceptions. A clear mind. A fresh perspective. Happy for me, at this time I am excited when I turn it on. In the past I have turned it on, then disgustedly turned it off.

Lagonda · 2024-12-21T12:20:09-0600

Sometimes your ears need a little rest too. I often abstain from music listening every second day. The levels of fluid/ minerals in your ears also affect your hearing. My hearing is best when i am slightly dehydrated and drink one beer right before a listening session. A banana contains a fair amount of potassium and also seems to have a enhancing effect.

Ok, now you can make fun of me !

Gregm · 2024-12-21T12:21:29-0600

Kingrex said:
What I'm talking about is less of an emotional response??? I see it as a reset of my anticipated perceptions. A clear mind. A fresh perspective. Happy for me, at this time I am excited when I turn it on.

That's the objective isn't it?
So, kudos -- and don't touch the system while this lasts!

A-Line · 2024-12-21T12:23:03-0600

State Of Mind = State Of Body/Self.

I mostly listen to classical music which I find to eliminate the stress of a days toil, stupidity, & chaos. I already have several pieces of music to play in my head by the time that I arrive home. The only days that I don't listen to music is when I'm too tired.

I feel for those that listen to nothing but the blues genre on a daily basis...just saying.

Gregm · 2024-12-21T12:30:17-0600

A-Line said:
I mostly listen to classical music which I find to eliminate the stress of a days toil, stupidity, & chaos.

That makes two of us

MarkusBarkus · 2024-12-21T12:32:58-0600

Lagonda said:
My hearing is best when i am slightly dehydrated and drink one beer right before a listening session. A banana contains a fair amount of potassium and also seems to have a enhancing effect

...your dedication and research on this topic is unparalleled on WBF. I shall implement your protocols immediately. Any chance you were able to A/B organic and "regular" bananas? The beer variable feels like a real can of worms.

Kingrex · 2024-12-21T12:39:16-0600

Your brain is electro/chemical. Potassium enhances the chemical reactions. Without it, your heart will stop. Increased Potassium may enhance cognition. I'm ready for my whipping by the scientist now.

Kingrex · 2024-12-21T12:43:04-0600

A-Line said:
State Of Mind = State Of Body/Self.

I mostly listen to classical music which I find to eliminate the stress of a days toil, stupidity, & chaos. I already have several pieces of music to play in my head by the time that I arrive home. The only days that I don't listen to music is when I'm too tired.

I feel for those that listen to nothing but the blues genre on a daily basis...just saying.

I went through 3 different versions of The Nutcracker last night. I like the London version. The orchestra seems more into it. The pace is a little faster. You can hear the tape hiss. The dynamics are higher. Less compression. I only got through 3 songs before I did a couple track on the Charlie Brown. Then a Diana Krall song and a Andy Williams. Then I shut it down.

I feel a little less mesmerized now that I have listened for a couple days. I am also starting to assess more and feeling a little less satisfied and wanting to fiddle with it.

A-Line · 2024-12-21T12:43:36-0600

MarkusBarkus said:
...your dedication and research on this topic is unparalleled on WBF. I shall implement your protocols immediately. Any chance you were able to A/B organic and "regular" bananas? The beer variable feels like a real can of worms.

The real can of worms are the numerous recreational intoxicants that can be added to the equation.
I retired my bong before entering med school out of necessity but haven't given any thoughts of returning to that lifestyle ever since I gave it up.

Lagonda · 2024-12-21T12:58:33-0600

MarkusBarkus said:
...your dedication and research on this topic is unparalleled on WBF. I shall implement your protocols immediately. Any chance you were able to A/B organic and "regular" bananas? The beer variable feels like a real can of worms.

Yes be careful, don't overindulge, there is a fine line. Beer contains alcohol and bananas can be quite fattening !

That is me to the left after a prolonged listening session. I mean to the right.

A-Line · 2024-12-21T13:03:27-0600

Lagonda said:
Yes be careful, don't overindulge, there is a fine line. Beer contains alcohol and bananas can be quite fattening ! That is me to the left after a prolonged listening session. I mean to the right.View attachment 141803

lol

PYP · 2024-12-21T23:08:09-0600

A-Line said:
The real can of worms are the numerous recreational intoxicants that can be added to the equation.
I retired my bong before entering med school out of necessity but haven't given any thoughts of returning to that lifestyle ever since I gave it up.

Yeah, I have to admit that when I read about the bananas I was thinking: Why don't you just skip all this stuff and smoke some weed? Also have no thoughts about returning to that lifestyle. But I did try some edible CBD (which happened to have a small quantity of THC) to reduce stiffness after too much exercise and found myself in front of my setup thoroughly enjoying anything that was playing.

On the other hand, getting the right amount of exercise has the same effect. One's body produces cannabinoids after exercise.

ChasFreeland · 2024-12-22T01:21:17-0600

OK, I'll have a b

Lagonda said:
Sometimes your ears need a little rest too. I often abstain from music listening every second day. The levels of fluid/ minerals in your ears also affect your hearing. My hearing is best when i am slightly dehydrated and drink one beer right before a listening session. A banana contains a fair amount of potassium and also seems to have a enhancing effect. Ok, now you can make fun of me !

Make mine a banana and a beer. Hi fi sound will be fantastic!! Potassium for your ears?? It is good for the heart in moderate doses; essential for proper blood circulation. Maybe that's it! Increased blood flow to the ears = better perceived sound quality. No real need to blow more funds on gear. Personally, I think you are really on to something.

treitz3 · 2024-12-22T01:43:56-0600

Lagonda said:
Sometimes your ears need a little rest too. <snip>

They won't need a rest if the signal and tonal balance is pure, listening levels are powerful yet completely engaging to you... but still respectful to your ears.

Tom

Kingrex · 2024-12-22T10:20:49-0600

Well, each day I play it, the more and more critical I become. Now I'm thinking of swapping stuff out. I am more aware the issues.

Lagonda · 2024-12-22T11:24:58-0600

treitz3 said:
They won't need a rest if the signal and tonal balance is pure, listening levels are powerful yet completely engaging to you... but still respectful to your ears.

Tom

Depends on how long and loud you play or if you play digital, i prefer longer listening sessions at medium levels.

5- 6 hours analog, 2-3 if i play digital.

It gets better over time

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