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
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.
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.
Make sure nothing on AC cirrcuit as stereo is turning on/off/ emitting alot of RFI. Maybe something budget friendly like AudioPrism Quietlines, Enacom AC Filters, power conditioner or power regenerator like PS Audio 300 ( kinda pricey) will do the trick.

You also might want to check out acoustic panels made by ASC, Echo Busters, etc. Or construct DIY acoustic panels as mfrd. panels can get expensive real fast.
The surest way to rest your mind at ease, if its possible/practical, would be to have a couple of dedicated lines installed. If that's not possible, I would check out what outlets are on the circuit you are using. Many times these outlets are daisey-chained from one to another. If the outlet you're using is at the end of the chain, this is not optimal. Every outlet needs to be replaced (w/high quality ones-no push in wire types)leading up to the outlet you're using for your stereo. Also, ask the electrician if it's possible to pigtail a wire of the splice to power the outlet. Many times the cheapest outlets are used and the easiest way to continue the run from one outlet to another is to simply push wires in the back of the outlets. Dedicated circuits are the way to go. However, if the feed going into your service box is not up to date, i.e., old/undersized, get a new hobby or move! You'll could end up spending a fortune and not getting the results you want. Unfortunarely, the AC power is so polluted nowadays and that computer in the house isn't helping one bit. You're right, this is one fustrating hobby. Acceptance is virtue. Good Luck, Bill
As Nighthawk suggests, I would investigate whether an internal connection in one of your loudspeakers, maybe at a driver or in a crossover, is somehow intermittant.