rookie drunk move

Not sure what 'screwing around with wiring' actually means... but maybe the connectins of the cables need some cleansing or rechecked for tightness... however I'd not use the alcohol in the beer to clean with... Alcohol, regardless the form, is only a temporary remedy and not the actual solution.... try a lager.

Sometimes simply moving a cable about with the prerequisite bending & flexing can change the sound briefly till it settles back in. Especially with active shielded cables.

But if you decide to ensure the connectivity path is as secure as can be...

DeOxsit the spades and posts... maybe twice, depending.

Then Pro gold or Walker-ize ALL the terminations... only a drop or two of either is needed.

Listen.

then drink as you wish. The sound will change following the drinking. Mine always did... ultimately the sound was muted. so much so I'd just pass out.

Now it's just old age that makes me pass out while listening, so I no longer need the alcohol... unless I'm doing 'rock classics' that night, they'll keep me wide awake!

Super!

Personally, I don't need a drink to put me in harms way when rearranging cables.

Try it with your eyes closed next time... Works for me!

Well, mostly. Painters tape helps too.

I can't tell you though, how many times I've put one ch into one set of in or outputs, and the other into an entirely different set. Yikes! Simple enough to fix, but initially startling nonetheless.

of course, with my rig, I've no access behind it so it'll all get wired from the front by feel alone anyway.

I've thankfully gotten into the habit of doing any change with things unplugged and turned off as well, as sometimes them switches turn themselves on without my permission.