An interesting observation

Posted by: NigelP on 10 April 2001

We all know that our equipment runs better when its kept switched on. I had an interesting experience the other night when I came home from a 4-night trip away. The Naim electronics were left on as usual but the central heating was turned off. I put a record and listened. "Agh - what's happened?" I gasped. I then tried a CD and the effect was even worse. I went upstairs in disgust that my very expensive pride and joy had let me down.
Anyway, the house warmed up and I tried again. This seemed to be the problem. Does anyone know why this should be? The only theory I have is that the characteristics of the passive devices (speaker, xovers and cables) were off because of the coldness of the house. Can this be the cause or there other factors at work here? A reminder - the electronics were left switched on and there was no power cut in my asbsence.
Posted on: 10 April 2001 by Nigel Cavendish
....got cold and needed a bit of playing to warm-up.

cheers

Nigel

Posted on: 10 April 2001 by Mick P
Nigel

A year ago, I purchased a Dynavector 17D2 cartridge and at the same time had my Garrard 401 totally refurbished by Loricraft as well as buying a new plinth from them.

I got them to fit the cartridge and on collecting it, found to my amusement and pleasure, that Nigel and Terry who worked there, who were very knowledgeable, liked a chat. In fact I had difficulty in getting away from them.

One of the snippets that came out of this conversation was that the cartridge needed to have an ambient temperature of at least 62 degrees f and as the TT was housed in the cabinet, they advised fitting a spotlight in it.

This would serve two purposes, firstly the Garrard would be illuminated in all its glory and secondly the light would warm up the TT and cartridge. They advised switching the light on at least 10 minutes before using the TT in order to give it time to warm things up.

So ambient temperature appears to be an important factor.

Regards

Mick

Posted on: 10 April 2001 by Andrew Randle
Wow Mick, you're proving to be a great source of tips 'n tricks (what with dropping the CD puck by 1" to ensure magnetic centering)!!

I too have the same problem. Sometimes my mum will turn the radiator off in my room (my hi-fi is currently at my mother's place) and even though the system has been on for 2 days it'll sound crap - like the sound could do with filling out.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

Posted on: 10 April 2001 by Andrew Randle
pd,

It is interesting to see in the famous picture of Malcolm Steward's Mana'ed system a small filament lamp around the LP12.

I assumed it was just for queuing purposes...

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

Posted on: 10 April 2001 by Mark Dunn
Hi all:

Don't forget that at lower temperatures the air density will be higher too. Sounds a little wacky but I've found it's an easily perceptible difference.

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

Posted on: 10 April 2001 by Greg Beatty
...if the Moon can affect the tides of the oceans, just think what it does to your phono cartridge!

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

Posted on: 10 April 2001 by Mark Dunn
Hey pd!

Re:

>That one was way too late for April Fools day, do >you think we Brits will believe anything?

I myself am English and as it 'appens, I wasn't muckin' about. Next you'll be telling us that you can't tell the difference in the performance of a cabureted vehicle on a very hot or very cold day, woncha? ;-)

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

Posted on: 11 April 2001 by Martin Payne
Paul,

cold air is denser.

More air, and thus more oxygen, is drawn into the engine, and more horsepower is developed.

cheers, Martin

Posted on: 11 April 2001 by Mick P
Chaps

Years ago I was into british motorcycles ( I have owned 36 over the years) and they were all powered by a very crude Amal carburetor. It was an accepted fact that the engine was more responsive in cold damp weather. Very easy to start and the bike would go like hell which was very useful during the winter months.

Regards

Mick

Posted on: 11 April 2001 by Pete, Mad Bad and Dangerous to Know
Hi,


Carburettor, A complicated mechanical device for delivering the wrong fuel/air mixture at all engine speeds.

pete

Posted on: 11 April 2001 by Nigel Cavendish
quote:
Years ago I was into british motorcycles ( I have owned 36 over the years)

One a year, I presume.

cheers

Nigel

Posted on: 11 April 2001 by Mick P
Nigel

I used to buy and sell them as a lucrative hobby.

Regards

Mick

Posted on: 11 April 2001 by Ron The Mon
I have a 1972 Triumph Tiger which I bought 15 years ago. It had been sitting under a tarp outside for several years. When I asked if it ran, the then-owner put some fresh gas in the tank and it fired-up on the first kick!! I paid cash and took it home that day.

Ron The Mon

P.S.
It was cool and humid that afternoon.

Posted on: 16 April 2001 by ken c
rob holt:

quote:
The vibrating stylus cleaner was indeed a great gadget, allthough sadly no longer available.
I still have mine and use it before playing an album.

yes, great device -- used with care!!
i still have mine too, doesnt see much use as i play vinyl only on special occasions...

enjoy...

ken

Posted on: 16 April 2001 by ken c
paul d:

quote:
Peter Turner wasa great contributer but I havnt read anything by him for years, possibly his style was considered too intelligent for the new dumbed down style of Hi Fi mag we get nowadays.

Does anyone remember that other contributer Ian Rankin possibly the best writer ever to contribute to a Hi Fi mag, wonder what he's doing now, smile.


yes, i agree on PT. i recall he was, err, very enthusiastic on kimber cables and at one time actually took one to salisbury to try to convince naim that this was a good mains cable. curiously, if my recollection serves me, the cable didnt sound good at naim audio ... very strange?? different mains??

ian rankin: i think he was going to take up writing full time (as opposed to hifi reviewing). i well remember a real gem in a speaker review:
"the .... is not the kind of speaker that jumps and immediately bites your ankle" -- i may not the quote 100% but i remember admiring his sense of drama when i read this, a long long time ago...

enjoy...

ken

Posted on: 16 April 2001 by Andrew Randle
quote:
Does anyone remember that other contributer Ian Rankin possibly the best writer ever to contribute to a Hi Fi mag, wonder what he's doing now, smile.

Yes... a brilliant contributor, along with Malcolm Steward. I recently visited his website and can only assume that he could ditch his Exposure X and afford to buy active 500/DBLs six times over!!!

Well done Ian,

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;