The Midnight Effect - Who-How?

You missed my comment about measuring you ambient noise floor at various times….. that’s ok….most audiophiles lack an SPL meter for level matching and other essential tasks…..

:-)

@rooze - it was always an audiophile "truth" that systems sounded better at night when there was less demand on the grid. It does make some sense to me since you are essentially playing your power supplies with amplifiers and those in turn depend on what’s coming out of the wall receptacles.

I installed a very robust electrical "subsystem" for my main system (which ties back to the main household ground) and uses a large iso-transformer. I have fewer electrical anomalies here in Central Texas than I did in a small village along the Hudson in NY. I attributed a lot of that to newer infrastructure, despite the fact that I’m virtually "in town" rather than out in the country.

But, having said all that, when the temps here reach 110F in the summer (and we can have 60+ days of over 100 degree heat) I simply don’t use the main system much. We receive warnings about the grid being "iffy"- and it puts me off.

PS: As to the regenerators, I have no idea. I heard early iterations of those, but never lived with them.

PPS: I took a quick look at the PS Audio forum and there seems to be some suggestion that its regenerators are still susceptible to certain forms of noise. One user, John H, was a frequent contributor to those discussions.

@cleeds   This is from FCC website:

"Most AM radio stations are required by the FCC's rules to reduce their power or cease operating at night in order to avoid interference to other AM stations.  FCC rules governing the daytime and nighttime operation of AM radio stations are a consequence of the laws of physics."

I'm just trying to picture a flagon and a clock in the same setting.  The Middle Ages called...they want their wine vessel back.  he he  Just teasing...I couldn't let the opportunity go by as you maybe never see that term used.  But the imagery is cool!!  To eliminate flukes and misperceptions, repeat it.  So, is this a consistent phenomenon?  Does it happen every time the circumstances are the same?

kijanki

Radio stations have to reduce transmitting power at the evening per FCC regulation. 

That is completely false. In fact, broadcasters are required to maintain xmitter output to within 90 to 105 percent of authorized power output at all times.

There are some AM stations that are required to reduce power at night, and of course there are still some "daytimers" on the AM band.

My dealer told me that a certain preamp he sells, which I do not own, takes about 5 hours to reach its peak. While my equipment sounds good after an hour, I do find it sounds better after a few hours, regardless of the time of day. I cannot say whether it’s psychological or not, but that is my experience.  So you are not alone. 

Just a couple things based on some comments above… equipment warm up is not what I’m referring to when I talk about the midnight effect. That’s real, but it’s a different thing altogether. I might start a listening session in the early afternoon, I’ll hear an improvement in sound for the first hour or so but it isn’t like I hear late at night or early in the morning.

The power charts and the whole concept of power line loading is the most obvious explanation, but it falls down when you consider that everything is running from regeneration and power line loading and variances shouldn’t be getting through to the system. 

 The FM radio comment is interesting. I wasn’t aware of that.

 I can also take alcohol out of the equation. While it was a small factor on Friday just gone, I’ve had plenty of long stretches where I’ve been alcohol free, including for two years around a decade ago.

So I’m still unsure. I heard it on Friday/Saturday morning and it was almost like someone had flicked a switch. Or more like someone had suddenly placed extensive acoustic treatments in the room.. the soundstage just opened up in all directions and the sense of presence and of natural tone…. I would pay a lot of money to have whatever it was become a permanent fixture, way more than I paid for the two PS Audio units, whose contribution to the sound is barely noticeable in comparison.

Any more ideas?

So, according to this chart, should we all move to the Southwest?

Whether you reside in an industrial zone or not, power load exhibits a similar time-of-day pattern universally. Particularly, the peaking is most pronounced during the summer months, as we all comprehend.  However, I find myself questioning: Is this truly what happens?

]

Radio stations have to reduce transmitting power at the evening per FCC regulation.  It is Section 73.187 of the Federal Communications Commission's rules to reduce power from 2 hours before local sunset to 2 hours after local sunrise.

caps and cables form… especially the exotics… warm is good.. and measure your ambient noise floor…you might be surprised….

my system takes a few LP sides….

I can hear when each of the two systems I have "open up" and it has nothing to do with substance intake. The vintage system warms up faster- the Quad Loudspeakers are plugged in constantly so under full charge. The Quad II amps with real GEC KT66s open up after about 25 minutes. It is noticeable to the average listener.

The main system takes a minimum of 45 minutes to warm up the tube components and at least 3 sides until the cartridge sings. So, if I have someone visiting, I warm up accordingly, so we don't waste time. 

Drinking heavily and messing with a turntable is a recipe for disaster, but I am not condemning the liquor. 

Both movies and music all better at night. 

More electrical grid calm can be noticeable for some cities in particular..

Or the influence of darkness on hearing...😊

We hear the best when we were in our mother womb in complete darkness...

The same is true in a dark room at night...

Or blind...

https://www.ishn.com/articles/98133-when-vision-goes-dark-hearing-may-sharpen-say-researchers

Whisky has nothing to do with that as in love making you may feel it is better with no more self restrainsts with alcool but it is not at all really better and may impede erection at last ...😁

Drunkness impair hearing as seeing but you felt it is better for sure ...😊

For a few years if I was back in my listening room and listening, I was drinking.  I have  cut way back since then  (I am on Miller 64 these days, and it doesn't taste good enough to make me want more than a couple of bottles) and listening isn't nearly as much fun.  I feel better, however.

Booze for sure. And the fact you’re not as distracted at that time of the day/night.