2. tech-talk
  3. 1075086453

Soundstage there/gone/moves - poor current ????

Here is my problem. My system can have a huge soundstage which fills up half the room. Imaging is beautiful. Everything has its own place in space. The sound is comming from everywhere but the speakers. The problem is this just does not happen very often. One day it can sound very good and the next very bad. It can sound very good for several hours and then sound bad the next hour. I can listen and hear the soundstage change from good to bad or bad to good. I can hear the drums roll across the ceiling and 30 min. later it will roll across the floor. I have trouble shot everything. This will occur with all sources(CDP,TT,Tuner). It happens with 3 different amps, 3 different preamps, and 2 different speakers. My system is in the master bedroom. My question is has anyone had this kind of problem and what was done to fix this? Can poor current cause this problem? I am going to put in some dedicated lines with porter ports hoping this might clean this up. I have had some help and this was suggested. Even if it does not work it still will be a good investment.

Any suggestions would be appreciated,

Mark
cmcrbeas
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
I agree with Bill. The fact that your soundstage can be perfect, though sporadic, leads me to believe you have some electrical stuff going on. I'm a firm believer in quality power conditioning, dedicated lines, and good power cables. I am a big Audio Magic fan. Have gone from the Stealth, to the Matrix, and now, the Eclipse. Dedicated lines are a good start, but garbage in is garbage out. I've seen used Stealth Minis on the 'gon as well as Matrixes at great prices. Give one a listen. I love mine. Keep us posted. Happy listening....peace warren

P.S. what kind of power cords are you using?
overhang
199 posts
 
This kind of stuff happens to me too and when it does i use cognac.Images will solidify right away,the instruments will have lots of air around them and you'll be able to hear singers amd musicians lick their chops and smack their lips as if asking you to pour some.Cheers.
cmcrbeas OP
3 posts
 
Thanks for the responses.

flex:
I live in a house on a slab in the west part of the city. My a/c is coming from the bottom breaker on the right. The heater, living room, kitchen, garage are all above it. So I am getting the worst of the a/c I suppose. The listening is with the same music and volume. It can change within the cd that is playing. I do use stock power cords. I did not want to change the cords until I could get the system to be consistent so I could actually see what the cord can do. I will check into power conditioners. Has anyone had this sort of problem and a power conditioner fix it? Also, I am trying to relax a little. This hobby can be very frustrating.

Mark
nighthawk
259 posts
 
It sounds like it could be an intermittent connection. See if you are getting sound from both tweeters when the problem occurs. A lack of highs can cause the soundstage to drop to the floor. Also, check your speaker cable connections.
flex
292 posts
 
I agree with Nighthawk - it sounds much more like a system problem (including line, breaker, cable and connection integrity) than a line conditioning issue.

Judging by what you've swapped out already, I'd go systematically through cables and power cords next. Also check outlets on a different current loop if you're able (by using a heavy duty extension cord and forget the additional noise). I know you've done a good deal of troubleshooting already but have you tested simple things like (a) the continuity of your outlets and power cords with a line continuity tester and (b) checked for really corroded connections anywhere along the power/cable routes? I've found stock power cords that tested as having an open neutral(!) yet still conducted (some) current this way.

In my area, the city power regularly cycles on a daily basis from 120 volts to below 114 V, and a few towns away, people report city voltage above 130V. Just more issues to look at when you're on a gremlin-chasing spree.
More to discover