serendipity...
Posted by: ken c on 15 February 2002
i can't think of any explanation for this continual improvement other than that perhaps the system is settling down after the extended power-down last month, with the swapped 250 perhaps "learning" to live with its established partner.
however, all this is totally insignificant compared to what happened today.
i had run out of space on my soundstyle cd rack, so i went out looking for an additional cd rack --found a wooden one that holds 240 cd's and bought it. i was going to buy 2 of them, but wasnt sure whether they would fit in the space i intended.
as it turned out, the best place for the new wooden rack was where the soundstyle was -- so i moved the s/style out of the way to another corner of my office away from the naim electronics, to make room for the new wooden rack. then loaded it up with all those cd's that were beginning invade by bookshelf. now i can put all those o'reilly books back on the shelf where they belong, rather than on the window sill and on the floor; all very nice.
please note that i didn't touch my system in doing all this. as you may recall, i said i wasnt going to "mess around" unless i was making a major component change or upgrading my racks.
while i was doing all this, keith jarrett's "tribute" was playing. i thought i noticed something different with the sound -- but it was time to do the school run.
i have now had a more extended listen. ladies and gentlemen, this has been a very enjoyable session.
the change is dramatic. remember we are talking about a system that i was deliriously happy with before hand anyway.
the biggest change is in the acoustic. which is now much more apparent. which gives the music not only "space", but a certain "swell" -- the characteristic that makes you quiver with anticipation and makes it difficult to keep still. the sound is "fuller". "quiter" (darker background?).
and doesnt matter what instrument. voice now has a much better positioned and more clearly defined "body". harmony lines are easier to follow. lyrics are now much much easier to pick out, e.g. bob dylan's "girl from the north country" on "freewheelin' " (vinyl). the system also sounds a little "sweeter", a little more "flowery" (god knows what that means!!!).a lot less "dry".
well, to cut a long story short, my system now sounds a hell of a lot better than befor ethe change, and thats without me touching it!!!
the only slight drawback is that i am now much more aware of what it is that i didnt like about the QS Std which is now supporting my power components (instead of the Projekt). i.e. some bite has been stolen from the kettle drums in Copland's "fanfare....". but, to compensate, the tune is now much clearer. what clean trumpets too!!! so am not too bother about this; i'm sure a better rack in future will bring the bite back...
now, one possible explanation for all is that this is just evidence of the continuing settling down process -- perhaps just coincidentally accelerated today.
but there is another perhaps more plausible explanation. unfortunately, the luddite in me is simply refusing to accept it...
meantime, back to listening. right now its - schubert's "schwanengesang - 4 lieder", with baritone dietrich fischer-dieskau in full voice.
not sure what time i am retiring, there wont be much work done, and i will not be solving any puzzles...
enjoy...
ken
ps: apologies for the length of this post. i do go on so...
[This message was edited by ken c on SATURDAY 16 February 2002 at 00:54.]
[This message was edited by ken c on SATURDAY 16 February 2002 at 00:55.]
2/ the soundstyle cd rack has a larger footprint than its replacement -- which is effectively a floor standing shelf -- so hugs the wall. there is therefore much more space in front of the right hand sbl. perhaps the effect i am noticing is an improvement in room acoutics -- there is now much freer space in front of the this sbl. if this is the case, then i am moving house to have a dedicated listening room -- rather than having the hifi in my office (i would miss it though 
3/ i'm hallucinating. in which case, so is my daughter, my wife, my nephew, etc...
4/ the so called "ferrous effect". no comment.
i suppose i could drum up enough enthusiasm to do the test properly, i.e put the metal rack back, but this such a hassle i doubt i will bother... i am too busy going through my record collection.
oh, i played joe cocker's "into the mystic" on "organic" (vinyl). frightening!!! awesome!!! is all i can say...
enjoy
ken