HEATWAVE

I have discussed this with Naim on occasion. The feeling is, that within safe operational limits, the hotter the better. I have not been at home to hear my system during the heatwave. But it always sounds good to me

I seem to remember people on here making the opposite argument due to the dry ground bringing about higher electrical resistance to domestic earthing arrangements. Didn't  someone used to water their earth stake?

thebigfredc posted:

I seem to remember people on here making the opposite argument due to the dry ground bringing about higher electrical resistance to domestic earthing arrangements. Didn't  someone used to water their earth stake?

I'm not sure that many people still have an earth stake to water these days?

Hot and dry are not the same thing. They may be connected in certain situations. Or not.

Here in Singapore, we get 30 to 35 degrees throughout the year. I guess my naim system is singing well.

Dampness, and down time on the electrical grid, are two factors that have impacted my System for the better!

Allante93!

As ever, one's state of mind is a large contributory factor to musical enjoyment. Some people love the heat and will consequently enjoy their music in summery conditions. I dislike raised heat and humidity, and used not used to enjoy my music in such conditions - barely using my system through warm summer periods. Poor quality of sleep didn't help.

Presumably, sound travels differently through warmer and more humid air; and it must have an effect upon moving-coil loudspeaker drive units as well as cartridges. I thought my system sounded worse in such conditions, but it was probably because I felt generally below par.

Three years ago, I had a domestic air-conditioning system installed which enables me to enjoy my music in the warm and humid weather; whilst keeping the house feeling fresh and comfortable by day and night.

John.

Just when I thought I had heard and seen every type of conceivable way of improving the sound of one's hifi, then JN posits the idea of domestic air conditioning albeit a psychological effect apparently.

At least the cost of installing a full air con system will make Fraim and Powerlines look like a bargain.

What about the pollution it induces into the the mains though and associated negative impact on the audio quality?

Ray

Sorry Ray. We do, as audiophiles, like something to fret about, don't we?

The A/C system (driven by a 10kW capacity external heat exchanger) required the installation of a dedicated 30 amp mains spur, and I hear no deleterious effect upon the sound system running on its dedicated spur.

The A/C system was less expensive than I expected, and functions as a back-up heating system if required. I always joke that one of the side benefits of Naim ownership is that pretty much anything else seems like comparatively good value.

Good listening.

John.

Single room wall mounted split aircon units are not very expensive these days, but when operating there will always be fan noise, and of course significant electricity costs when it is hot (i.e when they are needed!) 

On the rare occasion of stifling heat in Britain I tend to make the most of the outdoors and so do without music - I know the cold, wet and windy weather will soon be back (aleast where I live!)

As an aside, I find it surprising in some hot countries to find aircon in places like shops and restaurants turned so low that people put on jackets etc to go indoors: When the ambient temperature is high 20s and well into 30s I can understand dropping the inside temperature to low-mid 20s but I have been in restaurants in Hong Kong where it was only 18 and everyone wearing coats! It would save a fortune in energy costs let alone carbon emissions if cooling was limited to what would be comfortable without dressing as if for the winter!

When I worked abroad I remember the ac systems running on a second phase supply to the house.

I seem to remember reading that some speaker drive unit materials operate more effectively at certain temperatures? 

So a truly optimised setup is going to run up one hell of an electricity bill. Heating on full blast near the hifi to keep it on form, and the mother of all aircon units next to the listener to keep you nice and cool. 

ChrisSU posted:

So a truly optimised setup is going to run up one hell of an electricity bill. Heating on full blast near the hifi to keep it on form, and the mother of all aircon units next to the listener to keep you nice and cool. 

No need for the heating on  if you use big class A amps... IIRC the old Musical Fidelity SA470 pushed out best part of 3kw of heat (regardless of sound level)! 

Innocent Bystander posted:

Single room wall mounted split aircon units are not very expensive these days, but when operating there will always be fan noise, and of course significant electricity costs when it is hot (i.e when they are needed!) 

 

Greetings I.B. I hope you are well.

It costs about £20 per month to run the A/C system (when in use). Significantly less than it costs me to heat the house in the cold months.

As for noise; the discreet Mitsubishi wall mounted units are whisper quiet in operation. I considered the purchase of portable units, but they tend to generate much more noise and are obtrusive. The loudest unwanted racket during quiet passages of music here is (on occasion) the concert of merrily rattling Naim transformers!

I don't understand the ridiculously cold business in restaurants either. Crazy. Perhaps it's a ploy to make one feel hungry and order more food! 21ºC (with reduced humidity) is about right for me.

Good listening.

John.

It’s not easy to gauge the temperature an A/C unit is set at. I’m sure 22C at a high fan speed will feel cooler than 20C at low fan speed.

The A/C unit will also have the effect of dehumidifying, lower temperature and faster the fan speed will increase the effect. Maybe some people prefer low humidity to a comfortable temperature.

ChrisSU posted:

thebigfredc posted:

I seem to remember people on here making the opposite argument due to the dry ground bringing about higher electrical resistance to domestic earthing arrangements. Didn't  someone used to water their earth stake?

I'm not sure that many people still have an earth stake to water these days?

Why is that?

J.N. posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

Single room wall mounted split aircon units are not very expensive these days, but when operating there will always be fan noise, and of course significant electricity costs when it is hot (i.e when they are needed!) 

 

Greetings I.B. I hope you are well.

It costs about £20 per month to run the A/C system (when in use). Significantly less than it costs me to heat the house in the cold months.

As for noise; the discreet Mitsubishi wall mounted units are whisper quiet in operation. I considered the purchase of portable units, but they tend to generate much more noise and are obtrusive. The loudest unwanted racket during quiet passages of music here is (on occasion) the concert of merrily rattling Naim transformers!

I don't understand the ridiculously cold business in restaurants either. Crazy. Perhaps it's a ploy to make one feel hungry and order more food! 21ºC (with reduced humidity) is about right for me.

Good listening.

John.

I have first hand knowledge of the cold restaurant problem: The kitchen is about 30 F hotter than the rest. AC running full tilt just to help keep kitchen workers alive.

Kevin Richardson posted:

ChrisSU posted:

thebigfredc posted:

I seem to remember people on here making the opposite argument due to the dry ground bringing about higher electrical resistance to domestic earthing arrangements. Didn't  someone used to water their earth stake?

I'm not sure that many people still have an earth stake to water these days?

Why is that?

I guess because it's dependent on moist ground conditions, therefore unreliable?

Still, a good excuse to imbibe and become suitably refreshed, and maybe releave yourself over that rod in the garden.