"The Grid", as we audiophiles refer to it is the power in our neighborhood. You may or may not have what we call "clean" electricity. We have add on boxes that clean up your electricity if there is a problem.
Those very expensive two box units with separate power supplies solve the problem of clean electricity at a price.
I am a keen observer of "The grid"; I notice when there is a remarkable improvement in my audio for no apparent reason. The last time I noticed this, I listened to music all night long. It was on a Christmas Eve, and there was a foot of snow outside; that's when I determined this remarkable improvement was the result of a quiet "grid"; that's when there is almost no commercial or industrial activity on the "electrical grid" near you, and residential use is quiet as well.
Normally this only occurs for a short time, but it's been like that for days; this has never happened before. Our present COVID 19 lockdown condition has given us a super quiet grid. That means our modest rigs are equivalent to much more expensive rigs that have expensive power supplies.
I am going to take advantage of this by doing a lot of recording. (when my reel to reel gets out of the shop) It's extremely unfortunate that we have this super quiet grid as a result of COVID 19, but there it is.
One only has to look at satellite images to see how reduced the pollution is due to the mass industry shutdown worldwide. I am sure mother nature is breathing a sigh of relief for the respite however brief it may be. Makes sense to me that the "grid" could be quieter, less hash present.
The CCP virus has also cleaned up the air, reduced traffic noise, improved commute times, and given us all a lot more time to tweak and enjoy our systems. None of which is why they made it though.
It has put a whole lot more people on unemployment, making them more reliant on government than ever. Its threatened the whole world with a collapse of our debt based banking system, and created a situation where creating trillions out of nothing to be dropped from helicopters seems like a gift but ultimately robs purchasing power revealing fiat for the Ponzi fantasy that it is.
But let's not think about all that. It does sound a bit better. It was all just a bad dream. There there now. Go back to sleep.
Quite frankly I look at the government money coming back to me as part of what I already paid in. Like getting back my own money. There is always more than one way to look at things. But on the OP's topic, a simple balanced power unit cleans up the source power into your home and mine was very inexpensive.
I first noticed that the music "seemed" to sound better a few days ago, but since then there is no mistake; all I want to do is listen to music without interruption; it reminds me of the very first time I discovered sex, the 8th wonder of the world.
I must realize we are not all experiencing the same thing, so I can only relate to you what a difference this makes where I am. Even in the bedroom rig there is a big difference. I checked the volume knob after discovering the music was just a tad loud, and it was where I left it; the volume has increased or it sounds louder because it's so clear.
Listening to music is all I want to do; consequently, this lock-down is most irrelevant.
While I'm an old man, some of this music reminds of things I use to do and who I did them with. That was a very long time ago but these "holographic sounds" are doing a lot for my ability to recall a long time ago. I just listen to my play-list without touching anything, and this is what came up.
What I do notice since I don’t have a dedicated space is, LESS ambient noise. My place is 100 years old, no double paned windows or high tech insulation.
Great for listening to music with quiet passages. As if doing a 3:00am session in the middle of the day.
I noticed the better sound out of my system myself and suspected it had something to do with the grid but with so many other variables involved I wasn't sure. It's just a little disheartening I recently spent several thousands of dollars on a ps audio power plant that should be eliminating that problem but apparently it doesn't completely. But still not sorry I bought it cause the oscilloscope on it is kinda cool lol. And as far as the government putting us further into debt. I don't have any kids so two trillion four trillion hell they can spend a thousand zillion bazillion for all I care because when the bill comes do ill either be dead or to old to care...sorry for you parents!
I use older PP too. Yes, it is quieter these days. Somehow, it gives me no pleasure because I know why it is. Much less noise outside too. Again, this bothers me.
As everyone knows my company builds audio components. Our power supplies are built to cleanup the AC. Most components you can simply add a AC filter choke to great results. I recently bought an Audioquest for a friend's system - Niagara -1200 and that really made his system quiet adding blacker background, better placement of vocals and instruments, better tone, separation, and clarity.
It’s another glorious day in the neighborhood; just think, all of those expensive power regenerators have one purpose, and that is to generate perfect AC. Now I have perfect AC straight from the wall. My computer has perfect AC, everything has perfect AC thanks to the super quiet grid in my neighborhood.
Ages ago people remarked that music on the radio even, seemed to sound better on Sunday. While there were a multitude of reasons given for this, everyone agreed it was so.
After I became an audiophile, and began examining things in great detail, I hypothesized that Sunday was because of the grid. That was verified on late night Christmas Eve with two feet of snow on the ground, when the music sounded so good that I could not stop listening until daylight.
The grid has never been this quiet; now I can hear the music as all the musicians who created it intended for their music to be heard; it’s as close to live without actually being there as you can get.
C Miller The wake up call is in.. Heavy dependence on MADE IN CHINA isn't a good thing and never has been. Whittling suppliers down to a bare minimum is ridiculous and having one major supplier for the multitude of products we depend on for our pharmaceutical needs is more than ridiculous, it's dangerously myopic. Cheaper isn't always the appropriate decision.. as we're finally realizing. I hope it's not business as usually IF we escape this pandemic reasonably intact.. It's time to re think where we place our priorities and that applies to our hobby as well.
Well, the cart carries the DRIVER.. so the direction of the HORSE is determined by the driver and in this case it's the consumer. That's the point you're missing. Everyone understands WHY these products are manufactured offshore but it's still the CART DRIVER that makes the decisions for the direction of the horse. If he's wakes up long enough to give the horse direction.
If I don't have a job because it was off shored to China, I can't buy anything anyway, so everything else is between you and who ever else is fortunate enough to have the money to consume; I'm not in it at all.
That's not true.. unless you're deceased. You're still in it Orpheus and you still have control of where you decide to spend even if there's limitations on how much you have to spend. My point is … well, I think you know exactly what my point is. We, as audiophiles, music lovers and people who appreciate innovative, elegant engineering in the components we purchase need to reassess our priorities and make a concerted effort to establish and maintain a diversity in our options towards these suppliers. We're learning (or should be learning) a lesson right now. We need to open our eyes, not just our ears.
"The Grid", as we audiophiles refer to it is the power in our neighborhood ...
Actually, no it isn’t. The power in your neighborhood is a fairly simple circuit. The "grid" is an actual grid that includes the energy generating source, transmission lines, power substations, local distribution transformers, and often voltage regulators and automatic switches that can locally reroute circuits.
In the US, the grid also includes interconnection points - synchronized at 60hZ - that allows sharing of power and load.
"The Grid", as we audiophiles refer to it is the power in our neighborhood. That's what I stated because that is what affects the power we plug into; the grid in LA is irrelevant to the grid in St. Louis. The only grid that's relevant is the one in the audiophiles neighborhood wherever she or he is.
Cleeds, you could have used the time it took you to write that post and done something more constructive with that time.
Finally got around to spending some time with my system this weekend and this week and have to agree that the quieter grid is one real benefit of the current unfortunate circumstances.
My system has never sounded better with no changes whatsoever. I find it totally engaging and fatigue free.
Working as an Engineer in Aerospace for five years and then in the Electric Utility industry for over 37 years, I can tell you that Cleeds was absolutely spot on.
Unfortunately, due to this really serious virus, people are losing their jobs on a massive scale (many will probably not recover). Yes, the air quality is much better. I remember back in the late 60s, early seventies, in Los Angeles, on many days, you could not see a mile down the street. The air was so bad, it hurt the lungs. California came up with the Air Quality Management District rules for car/factory/refinery, etc. air quality standards and even then, many people (most with money) complained about the rules. Most of them didn't live in LA proper and didn't care about the people living there. All they cared about was making money. Fast forward, the air quality in Los Angeles was vastly improved. not the best, but much better than it was.
Now, traffic is almost non-existent. Air is wonderful. People are staying home for fear of catching this deadly virus.
I typically would listen to music late at night anyway, and therefore, I never had an issue with power quality. Actually, the City of Los Angeles' electrical system and Power Grid is very reliable. I happen to be the first house fed off the transformer in my neighborhood. Which is a very good thing.
What has happened and is still happening now, shows why diseases ran rampant in the past. People didn't seek actual facts and believed people that made claims that had no scientific basis and eventually either/or caught the virus or spread it to others.
As usual, it became a political issue instead of a science issue. And since many people's new "religion" is their political affiliation, they believe their political leaders and news anchors instead of listening to actual science and facts.
As far as the quiet grid is concerned, yes, many shops and factories are currently closed which reduces greatly generation needs of the electrical system and therefore, takes generators off the system. I see this every day in the work that I do.
Unfortunately, people are sick and dying. Jobs lost, careers hurt, families devastated. This actual scenario was predicted so many times by science experts. But many "politicians" refused to listen or prepare for it.
Stay smart, stay safe, enjoy your families, and music. (we are indeed fortunate) that we have music. I do hope that we learn from this.
I appreciated you all and your thoughts and opinions. There is always room for me to learn.
People didn't seek actual facts and believed people that made claims
that had no scientific basis and eventually either/or caught the virus
or spread it to others.
True. Please read anything you can on the Spanish Flu of 1918 (which, BTW, may have actually started in Kansas). Especially read the detailed comparisons of how different cities responded, and what the outcomes were.
Also, the light from power meters kills coronavirus.
My Quiet Grid was installed last summer before the grid became quiet this late winter. I heard no difference between my Quiet Grid after install or at any hour that followed...before or after the virus took a grip. Tom
It's nice to see some same posts. Some journalists have found a correlation of those who are climate science deniers and virus hoax believers. It doesn't surprise me in the least. Politics is the new religion and it's not the nice one you imagine.
As for growing the economy, does anyone find it curious as to why our leader is pushing for a propping up of the fossil fuels industry? There's a glut in the market, prices are down, profits and shareholders are hurting, and just what is the need to inflate gas prices if not to start some kind of local cartel to see them through the hard times. God forbid if they had to to out and work for a living.
Oil and gas extraction is extremely capital intensive with barely no benefit of it going to workers or consumers. Taxing our citizens to support the industry sounds a lot like reverse socialism to me. Picking winners and losers in these troubled times is no way to run a railroad.
By the way, while composing this, I noticed that jafreeman's post was taken down. I still have it up to read, which I've done a couple of times, and there's nothing amiss with what he said. It's straight in line with what's already been said. I guess mine will be short lived as well. 👍
This crisis is a chemical developer and an alchemical developer of the human collective and individual souls, who gives a damn about audio now, except anecdotally ?
Yes, I listen to music to relax in these trying times, but my hobby is no more the center of my attention....I post something on your thread but it was removed.... Sorry jafreeman...
The grid is quieter indeed, the human soul is not....
I am an optimist.... But I understand very well your fears about this dystopian future in the making....I think that more than the 2 last wars, this crisis is the last chance for humans to be conscious of:
Life is the only valuable event, and gift, and reality, a bee or a flower being invaluable; money being only an abstract means to convey and serve life.... If we do not understand that, forget about us and our future... This crisis is a chemical and God given test, and it is not necessary to believe in God to see that....I dont believe myself....My computer exist even if I dont see it, it is working without my faith in it....Prime numbers infinite series is more solid reality than diamond, in fact diamond and atoms are only vapour, nothing to see there.... Blind beliefs pertain to the past, knowledge or death to the future, the choice is ours now....
It’s just like in the movie Prometheus, God sends a pestilence to Earth to reboot civilization. And it’s about 2000 years after death of you know who. It’s just like in the movie!
It’s just like in the movie Prometheus, God sends a pestilence to Earth to reboot civilization. And it’s about 2000 years after death of you know who. It’s just like in the movie!
Interesting movie and point...
But I think the pestilence is only a biological consequence of life.... Viruses are the cause of this marvellous gift to mammals: placenta bag...
In the long run viruses are our friends and only asked to be understood for what they are, like crocodiles, bugs, or some leaders....I bet some leaders are and has been more destructive than many viruses....No need for names....
The Pope recently said that "God always forgives, we forgive sometimes, but nature never forgives."
“Who now speaks of the fires in Australia, or remembers that 18 months ago a boat could cross the North Pole because the glaciers had all melted?” he asked. “Who speaks now of the floods? I don’t know if these are the revenge of nature, but they are certainly nature’s responses.”
“This is the time to take the decisive step, to move from using and misusing nature to contemplating it,” he said.
“This crisis is affecting us all, rich and poor alike, and putting a spotlight on hypocrisy,” he said.
“I am worried by the hypocrisy of certain political personalities who speak of facing up to the crisis, of the problem of hunger in the world, but who in the meantime manufacture weapons.”
I'm still waiting for an explanation of a statement made by the second poster in this thread.
None of which is why they made it though.
So the virus is not natural, but made by some unnamed group for some unrevealed purpose. I just don't understand why someone would make such an assertion and then run and hide from it.
First point: Actual virus science dont make virus fabrication very easy.... I dont think we are now able to controls that engineering complexities with the exact biological effects and only them, engineered in with the new viruses...Fabricating a virus and controlling all his biological effects on all scales is not the same thing...
Second point: viruses warfare is difficult if not impossible to controls in term of localized geographical effects only and directed against some country and not others except in bad novels and I dont read that...Same problems with the controls in time of the leaked virus....
Third point : Viruses warfare is like using a gun that has the property also to shot you in the feet with a high probability...
Fourth point: There exist more dangerous and easy to controls possible arms in a war....And least dangerous for those who will use it against other than viruses...
"Ockham razor" pointed to a simple fact in biology history: new dangerous viruses emerging for good or bad is simply that: normal biological history...
All virologist on the planet, beginning with Dr. Fauci and Dr.Raoult pointed in the past 20 years the very high probability of an emerging new sars virus...Dr. Fauci even alert Trump presidency when he was just elected...Dr. Raoult predict it 10 years ago....
I'm listening to a vocalist I've known all my life; it seems that he is right here in my listening room, we laughed and joked across the kitchen table while eating chicken sandwiches, that's how well I knew him, long before he became an entertainer; I knew him in childhood as a matter of fact, but this is not about him, it's about listening to a recording of a vocalist who's voice is just that familiar.
This is about the incredible improvement brought on by this "covid-19 grid". Since what I'm hearing is brought on by the grid, that means everybody's got it. Maybe they haven't noticed it, but they got it, "A more holographic sound".
Maybe you've had other things on your mind while listening to music, but it doesn't much matter where you are, due to this lock-down and fewer commercials in operation on your grid, it's much quieter, which means better audio.
If you've noticed, the most expensive gear has a separate power supply; that's all about turning noisy AC into DC. We don't have noisy AC now; consequently, your cheaper power supply is batting 100, and even if you have close to the best, it's even better now.
Since no one has mentioned this, I wonder if they have mastered the most important aspect of being an "Audiophile", and that's listening.
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