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Have you noticed as your system improves?

I have been working on making improvements to my system since 2021. (I got away from it for 10 years so the rig sat silent all that time and aged out) I have replaced my speakers twice in 2021 and 2024, my DAC, DDC, All the cables, speaker wire and PC’s. I added a streamer and ALSO the preamp/dsp processor is new. Just got a new amp in May. I have made upgrades to my wired internet access with switches, LPS and better cabling and Enos filter. I have an Audience Front Row Reserve USB cable on the way to complete that signal chain. The only thing not new is my CEC CD transport, it still works and sounds great. I have put a great deal of time and effort into my room acoustic treatments too.

 

So here’s the thing, and it’s been consistent once it all got settled and broken in. I don’t listen as loud as I did before all this or along the way. Not because it sounds worse but because it’s not necessary to hear deep into the recordings anymore. The resolution, PRAT, detail, soundstage is all there, and its really good. It’s a collective level of enhancements to achieve this. I want to preserve what hearing I have left, yet I am enjoying the music much more now, it simply just sounds better with out all the volume required before to hear what was going on. I used to have to turn it up to get it to sound good. Not anymore. Has this happed to you too?

128x128fthompson251
ghdprentice
6,789 posts
 

As my systems have improved over the decades this is exactly what has happened to me. My systems have become completely satisfying at lower volumes. Most of the time I now listen between 65 and 75db. 
 

Typically I go through an upgrade cycle about every seven to ten years. Typically it takes a couple years to upgrade… because of the intense research and breakin of components that is necessary between new components.

mazian's avatar
mazian
385 posts
 

@gdaddy1  +1

mickeyb
558 posts
 

You listen at lower volumes as you age. I’m a 38yr carpenter and I can’t take loud volumes anymore even if I’m listening to the cult. I measured cutting an outlet opening inside a cabinet for an outlet with a multi tool and it was 120db! I’m afraid my hearing is going as well. Sometimes it seems as if people are mumbling to me when they speaking. I guess this is why I love my system very much on the warm side. All carpentry tools are horrifically on the bright side. I’ve improved it with tubes and high end interconnects and yes, I’m hearing the difference and liking it. I stay away from tweeters that are beryllium or titanium or ribbon. It’s all silk dome for me. 

ashoka
89 posts
 

Aging matters hearing.

immatthewj
1,766 posts
 

My short answer is that I used to listen a lot louder than I do now.

(Kind of similar to you, I put my system into mothballs back in 2010 and brought it back out in late 2017.  Since then I have upgraded to better pieces of gear, so I do not know if that is a coincidence or a direct correlation.)

 

Regardless, it sounds better to me now playing low than it used to, although occasionally I still feel the need for speed and step on the gas "a bit".)

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