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My system acts weird

My system is Audio Aero Capitole, Yba Passion integrated and Harbeth sHl5 speakers, kubala fascination interconnects and kubala expression speaker cables.
I have noticed that most of the time it sounds just ok.(not like it should) sometimes it sounds just plain horrible and sometimes it sounds just right. The sound can improve dramatically for a period of a few minutes and then collapse again. The best performance was during the long weekend - the music was just flowing, lovely and involving. I assume that it could be the power(I live in an old condo building). To rule out the cdp and amp problem I used borrowed CDP and AMP for a while and all the time problem still existed.
So I bought a line conditioner "Sound Application". Even though it does make a difference it did not resolve the problem.
The symptoms of a "bad sound day" are:
base is all over the place-boomy and overwhelming
Soundstage is flat and not well defined.
Entire presentation is just not enjoyable.
I consider buying a re-generator and so far it's ether PS audio Premier or APS PurePower.
If any of you had a similar problem please do share your solution.
avialuf

Showing 5 responses by avialuf

avialuf OP
7 posts
 
Thank you all for the help! I did try another amp (audio analogue Puccini) and it acted the same way as YBA.
I even called to the YBA distributor (Montreal,Canada) and asked what they think about this problem. They were very helpful but again this did not help.
Then I bought a digital volt meter and the voltage is about 121-122 and does not fluctuate too much- 0.2 + - on a good or a bad day. The weirdest part is this: sometimes my wife and I can both pinpoint the moment when the sound goes "wow" - it becomes open and a little louder, vivid and controlled and then it's over.
I probably have to mention that about 2 months ago I installed Furutech fuses on both units and it did changed the presentation for a while.
I've contacted the APS about their regenerator and it seems that they have a pretty good return policy. Also they recommend the same model as Kennyt uses(APS PurePower 700).
I ones heard that frequency fluctuation can affect a CDP digital clock and therefore the entire presentation.
Any ideas are welcome!
Please help.
avialuf OP
7 posts
 
Thank you all for the replies.
Lak-yes it sounds better in the early morning and during weekends. There are tv,dvd,modem,computer and router on the same fuse (unfortunately I can't remove them, at least not now) but they are not plugged into the conditioner or the same outlet. Also the same appliances connected on "good" days too so I would assume they are out of the accusation.
Gbart -good comment but those meters are very expensive.
I measured the voltage during good and bad days for a few minutes and it's always about the same.
Onhwy61 - yes it's on 24/7.
This ordeal made me listen my system less and less now - it's really upsetting after all the money spent and all the effort to enjoy it only on those "good" days. What I think really affect the system is the "air-conditioning" season - there are a lot of old clunkers in the building and I can hear them working 24/7.
avialuf OP
7 posts
 
Thank you all! I appreciate your help.
Lak - I have one of those isolation transformer and it produces too much of its' own noise. I had to put it in a wooden box to silence it.I used to used it for my turntable set up and I tried to use it with CDP with not much of success.
Magfan- I bought this place less then 2 years ago and only put my system together a few months ago.
Foster_9 - can you please elaborate on your experience with APS and PS Premier? Why did you prefer APS 700 and why didn't you keep it?
avialuf OP
7 posts
 
Thank you all for the help!
Foster_9 -Thank you for the info. Was there anything that you did not like about APS?
avialuf OP
7 posts
 
The problem was something I wouldn't even think of - the fuse box. It took me completely by surprise to learn that the contacts were somewhat burned so there was a layer of black crust acting like a semi-conductor. Ones I noticed that lights were occasionally dimming I decided to check the fuse box. I cleaned the contacts, the lights are bright again... And what about the music? Wow, can you believe it? Voila!
That was it! It's like I upgraded my system - it was not just better - It was great. Thank you everyone who tried to help.
Regards
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