Late listening

[MickyP]

Do our systems improve late in the evening because:

a) You're drunk
b) Mains voltage is higher and cleaner
c) Outside noise is reduced
d) You're more attentive cos neighbours are going to bed
e) Your equipment is thoroughly warmed up
OR f) There is no difference. Don't be silly...

 

[DUVET]

a)

 

[Rayymondo]

g) all of the above

 

[MickyP]

I will only play mine post 11pm now!

Saves all that faff with upgrading.

 

[Rayymondo]

I will only play mine post 11pm now!

Not too loudly though please!

 

[Psilonaught]

I used to experience this "phenomenon" a lot but as my investment in upgrades continues I've noticed much more consistency.

 

[Ceko]

Do our systems improve late in the evening because:

a) You're drunk
b) Mains voltage is higher and cleaner
c) Outside noise is reduced
d) You're more attentive cos neighbours are going to bed
e) Your equipment is thoroughly warmed up
OR f) There is no difference. Don't be silly...

Or g) they don’t. It actually sounds better during the day, when the ambiant noise is higher.

 

[MickyP]

I meant to add a mood option but forgot. When you're grumpy, it always sounds poo!

 

[2010*zuma]

For me what makes the biggest difference when listening to my stereo late at night is what colour socks I am wearing… in my 2 channel white socks with the lights dimmed down the colouration seems slightly bleached through… whilst the background seems a lot blacker in my black socks and as for my thermal socks….wow everything just seems to settle in and get real warm sounding like a hot water bottle at the bottom of your bed in deepest January

 

[hifinutt]

C)

 

[tuga]

Do our systems improve late in the evening because:

a) You're drunk
b) Mains voltage is higher and cleaner
c) Outside noise is reduced
d) You're more attentive cos neighbours are going to bed
e) Your equipment is thoroughly warmed up
OR f) There is no difference. Don't be silly...

I would choose c), but I am currently living in a terraced house and unable to listen late in the evening for fear of disturbing the neighbours.

But I live in a quite area anyway so even during the day I don't have much background noise (I can tell my kids to put on headphones).

 

[newlash09]

Do our systems improve late in the evening because:

a) You're drunk
b) Mains voltage is higher and cleaner
c) Outside noise is reduced
d) You're more attentive cos neighbours are going to bed
e) Your equipment is thoroughly warmed up
OR f) There is no difference. Don't be silly...

Answer is g) wife is sleeping

 

[simon g]

What is this 'late' phenomenon?

Land of zzs for me by 10 at very latest.

System sounds consistently good whatever time of day.

 

[DomT]

There is a further option

H) you have depressed the loudness button on your Luxman amp

 

[rabski]

A combination, but I think almost entirely down to the fact that whether or not any chemicals are involved, we are simply more relaxed late at night. There is no guilt about other things you should be doing and less inclination to keep checking emails and the like.

I used to wonder about mains interference, warmup, and even reduced vibration and air pressure differences, etc. Now, I'm 100% sure it's all psychological.

 

[Klassik]

Well, option 'C' has nothing to do with the Hi-Fi system itself, but Klassik does prefer listening to music in the evening and 'C' is a big reason why. Kasa Klassik is on a somewhat busy street and so there is a near-constant rumble of car and other noises from about 6am-8pm. It's pretty quiet at night and so that makes for a better listening environment. Also, perhaps listening in darkened circumstances reduces some of the visuals which might distract from focusing on the music. OTOH, having to rely on dim artificial light makes the tiny text on the liner notes all that much harder to read.

 

[Le Baron]

I actually listen better during the daytime. In the evening it turns into background noise because I can't concentrate due to tiredness or putting effort toward things (like reading) requiring more attention. Also having to turn down the volume so as not to bother neighbours has an effect upon parts of the music that are pianissimo, causing me to notch it up a bit, then having to turn it down again when some crazed orchestral tutti erupts.
In the evening for deliberate listening I use headphones.

 

[SiB]

I enjoy listening at low levels, when it's quiet, in the dark...If I'm not relaxed though, it just doesn't work. Definitely mood dependant...for me anyway !

 

[Nativebon]

I know for sure my system sounds best at night, may be due to some or none of the reasons given.