Dangers of Dryness


I just saw a thread that asks about the effects of excess humidity. Well, out here in the Southwestern Sonoran desert, we have the exact opposite extreme. Relative humidity regularly drops below 10%. Over the summer moths, we range from 5% to 30% humidity. This is one of the few places in the USA where the Heat Index is actually LOWER than the ambient temperature! I don't have a static electricity problem (good grounding) and I use a great wax on all wood surfaces. Any potential problems for audio gear operating in this "bone dry" region?
fatparrot

Showing 1 response by nrchy

If you use a turntable there can be problems. I was having trouble with my records sounding lousy. The cartridge is not old, but the sound was very "brittle" when I mentioned this to Albert Porter be suggested running a humidifier. After a few days the trouble with the cartridge disappeared.

Later my wife wanted to use the humidifier upstairs. I began to notice some of the old problems returning so the humidifier went back into the listening room. Sure enough, the problem cleared up agian.

Coincidence? I don't think so!