Davey Willo Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Ok, I haven't spoke of this before for fear of being ridiculed but I am now so sure of this phenomenon that I going to start a discussion about it, so laugh if you want people but Daveyboy here is completely convinced... Right, I've put together a fairly decent system which sounds pretty good to me most of the time, I feel that I have crossed all of the T's and dotted all of the I's during the build, there isn't really a weak link in the chain anymore even down to a dedicated 30amp ring main, Oyaide AC outlets, Oyaide Power leads all feeding Bakoon amplification driving W.A.R. Audio Dianne speakers and generally things sound good, very good, however like most here I imagine, I have good days with my system and mediocre days and some days it can even sound bloody average to my ears, although fortunately the good days have become more regular since isolating my system from the rest of the house wiring which of course was the aim of doing so.. However some days my system totally amazes me, there have been days where I have sat down and been blown away by the incredible detail from the very first track, the inky blackness of a near zero noisefloor, the huuuge soundstage, the width, the height, the depth, the body.. days where I cannot get enough, where I have sat for hour after hour reluctantly turning it off only because it's bedtime... Last night was one of those glorious magical nights where I couldn't stop the music, I even listened to Patricia Barber albums all of the way through and I've never 'gotten' P.B. in the past, I've tried but I always move on within a few tracks but last night she sounded so good that I couldn't turn her off I listened to one track after the other she sounded so real, I was 'there' I started to see a pattern to these nights of magic, a common denominator if you will that brings everything together and makes my system sing, I realised it a while ago and wondered if it were truly the case but once more last night it was proven to me, as I was sitting there trying to work out why it all sounded so glorious the penny dropped, and when it did it confirmed my previous suspicions and now I am so convinced of this phenomenon that I feel compelled to talk to you guys about it. Ok, so this common denominator that I mention in the title, the thing that is always there during the magical moments, what is it....... it is Rain!!! Yes rain, now I know that this has to do with getting a good 'ground' but good god the difference is huge, as I say, I noticed this a while back and even started walking outside and watering my earth stake before a sit down session which makes my wife and probably some of you guys here think that I need medical attention.. Now unfortunately where I live it is all sand, my whole house pad just sits on a bed of sand, my earth stake is driven into sand and even though I water my earth rod it never seems to work the same magic as rain, if it rains, if I get a full soaking of all of the ground around my home then bingo, we light up!! Now I know that there will be some of you rolling around holding your stomach and pointing at the screen shouting abuse at me, but I also reckon that there are a few of you out there that knows exactly what i'm talking about. And it isn't a case of "oh it's raining I bet my system will sound good" and it does, it is not a mental thing, infact the exact opposite generally happens for me, if I think my system sounds good one day and can't wait to get back to it the next day and expect it to sound good then I'm generally dissapointed, no what generally happens is that I'm sitting there being blown away and analysing the reasons why and then realising that it's raining.. So, I'm convinced, completely and irrevocably convinced of this phenomenon, it isn't a mind game, it happens, rain is the final piece of the puzzle of my system.. Ok, so I've posted this long winded ramble for two reasons, one to hopefully start a none argumentative discussion (Ha!!) and two to get any ideas, suggestions on the best way to get a good ground 24/7 instead of having to wait for it to piss down, which in Perth of course isn't very often.. Cheers Dave 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joz Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 A garden timer and some irrigation or perhaps connect it to a 12 volt out so that it gets wet outside when you decide to listen. If I ride along with your theory it sounds like dry sand is not much of a conductor, water is better. ( or have i just clicked the joke of the daythread?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuyen Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Would a quality power re-generator like the PurePower+ eliminate the effects of poor grounding? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telecine Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 My theory is that there s less traffic about and that your neighbours close up their windows and doors when it is raining, therefore less ambient noise around and that is what allows you to enjoy your system more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cafad Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 I did notice when I was down in Tassie that the rain acts as a damper (no pun intended!) on ambient noise, it also helps people relax a bit so that would help too. I'm not doubting your theory there Dave, just helping to define it a bit as I see it. Could you put in some clay around your earth stake, maybe lay turf with a clay base for a few meters around it, that would hold the water better and may give you a better earth contact. Maybe you could test things out by puting a couple of sprinklers up on the roof, turfing around the earth and modifying your drainpipes so that they dump water straight on your earth peg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krispy Audio Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Can you run either a longer earth stake, or dual stakes (I realise this is done anyway with some home's via the pipes, but thinking a second dedicated one)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Willow Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Nothing to do with earth spikes Davey , it's humidity that is sweetening your system. Your next tweak should be a room humidifier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lusk Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Is there any way of testing how good an earth is on a home? Maybe you could get someone to measure it dry and wet to see if there is a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juicester Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 obvious isn't it? the rain is falling on all of the powerlines outside, so consequently you have cleaner power coming into your home which equates to better sound..... 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BATMAQN Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Interesting I can see this thread is about to go downhill Personally why does everything need a reasonable explanation I've done some stupid things with computers that made no sense but still worked if your music sounds better when it rains then you had better hope it rains a lot more where you live. Thats all I have to say!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthurDent Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 (edited) Rain = more negative ions. You feel better so system sounds better. As for earthing, longer spike, water it, but if adding another one it must very close to the first one and connected to the same earth lead. And however tempted DO NOT connect earth to water pipes. Edited January 17, 2013 by KenTripp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krispy Audio Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Personally why does everything need a reasonable explanation So you can make the improvement permanent! Davey are you planning to pursue this, or just curious? Please keep us informed if you do... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telecine Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Nothing to do with earth spikes Davey , it's humidity that is sweetening your system. Your next tweak should be a room humidifier. .....or a move to QLD ; ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emesbee Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Maybe its a psychoacoustic effect. When it rains, perhaps its puts you in a nice cosy mood where you are more receptive to the way your system sounds. In my case, my system always seems to sound best after I've been for a long bicycle ride. After several hours of exercise in the great outdoors, followed by a shower, a meal and a drink or two, I'm usually in the mood to sit back and listen to some music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey Willo Posted January 17, 2013 Author Share Posted January 17, 2013 Some funny suggestions there, some of which I'm not too sure were tongue in cheek though.... :blink: Yes I'm most definitely going to pursue it, I'm not convinced of humidity or feeling more relaxed, or not being able to hear traffic, neighbours etc, my room is very insulated anyway and toward the back of the house, hearing anything outside doesn't happen at the best of times so outside forces such as ambient noise I feel do not play a part, however I do believe and after some research starting to believe it even more is that the ground becoming soaked thereby reducing the earth resistence is the major factor. Apparently sand is one of the worst things for an earth to be driven into, it is an excellent insulator and has a very high resistance, i'm not sure how to tackle this, I think even digging down deep will just uncover more sand based on some of the pool excavations that I've seen going on around here, I think my only option would be to maybe dig out a lot of sand and replace it with soil and then install an array of connecting rods driven as deep as I can.. I don't know yet, further investigation needed.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krispy Audio Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Drive that thing to China! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A J Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Drive that thing to China! Might get some cheaper power? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolster Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Rain = more negative ions. You feel better so system sounds better. Ken could have something here. We have a room ioniser in our bedroom. Never a problem sleeping. Years ago we had an ioniser in our car when driving across the Nullabor. Our two kids were brilliant - and that was long before dvd players and ipads in cars. The beach is the best natural source of negative ions - splashing waves. Dave, you could always buy an ioniser to try out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Muon Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 (edited) Waterfalls too. Earth is important, and that sand pit the house is on All you can do is improve the earthing as best you can, and see what results come from it. Edited January 17, 2013 by datafone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthurDent Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Ken could have something here. We have a room ioniser in our bedroom. Never a problem sleeping.Years ago we had an ioniser in our car when driving across the Nullabor. Our two kids were brilliant - and that was long before dvd players and ipads in cars. The beach is the best natural source of negative ions - splashing waves. Dave, you could always buy an ioniser to try out. Of course I'm onto something, that's why I use one and also live near the beach Lots of negative ions make you feel better, keep the house fresh, dust under control etc. Probably even sharpen razor blades if you gave them half a chance The unit you quoted is very nice but there cheaper options out there that will match it's 3million anions/cc. http://www.echolife.com.au/categories/natural-health/appliances/air-purifiers-and-ionisers/air-ionisers.html 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juicester Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Oh dear, I can see it now. Soon there will be a product line of Audiophile Ionizers which "enhance harmonic resonances and improve liquidity of system output"... I think Tivoli just put in a big order for their listening rooms.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthurDent Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 (edited) How do you know audio retailers aren't already using them, or worse manipulation still such as pheromones. You've heard about the bake some bread, brew some coffee trick for selling houses, same sort of idea. Google "enhanced air", it's enlightening. And speaking of audiophools audiophiles and negative ions... http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue33/rio5.htm http://www.stereophile.com/stephenmejias/powering_the_ionizer/ Edited January 17, 2013 by KenTripp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juicester Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 (edited) manipulation still such as pheromones. ohhh... now that explains why I get so randy when I'm window shopping in Audio stores.. It's not the HiFi pr0n at all!.... Edited January 17, 2013 by Juicester Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
statman Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 My stats sound better in winter, or periods of rain/overcast in summer. I always suspected it was humidity. Wondered about it for years, still do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Muon Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 (edited) Of course I'm onto something, that's why I use one and also live near the beach Lots of negative ions make you feel better, keep the house fresh, dust under control etc. Probably even sharpen razor blades if you gave them half a chance The unit you quoted is very nice but there cheaper options out there that will match it's 3million anions/cc. http://www.echolife.com.au/categories/natural-health/appliances/air-purifiers-and-ionisers/air-ionisers.html I trialed a unit years ago, had an aspect that I didn't understand, as it was promoted to produce an abundance of negative ions up to I think 50m (edit)"thinking 30 m now", but these were supposed to be generated via radio waves Also had an Ozone generating function that could sterilize a medium sized room in a about two hours, after doing it to a room, the dirty socks in a pile of laundry were fresh as a daisy! Had a possessive effect on the two cats in the house at the time, they were playful with each other all the time, where normally they were indifferent to one another most the time. A house mate that suffered from night terrors near every night slept sound asleep the nights the unit was operating. The unit wasn't cheap though, costing more than those I have seen on the net since. These are just observations at the time... Edited January 17, 2013 by datafone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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