My problem may seem rather strange, but here it is:-

I have had a number of Audioquest lapis interconnect cables which I have
used for a number of years and in various different systems. When I first
got each of the cables, over a period of about 2 years, they always sounded
quite wonderful for about 4 days or so - much deeper bass, no edginess and
everything sounded much more dynamic and colourful. The interesting thing
was that this effected not just the components which were connected with the
new cable (eg: CD player and amp), but the rest of the system also: tuner,
phono stage.

The interesting thing is that whenever I connect a new piece of equipment,
using the Lapis cables, the same thing happens. Fantastic sound for a few
days, in respect of all components, which then fades away. It even happens
when there is a change to the cables. For example, I have used Pro Gold to
clean the connections from time to time, and on occasions, the original
sound comes back, but again only for a few days. This happened most recently
when I had the phono plugs on a pair of the Lapis cables resoldered as they
had become loose: great sound for a few days only.

My own suspicion is that there is some kind of impedance alteration going on
and that a new/cleaned/repaired cable, or new piece of equipment interface
in a particular way for a short period before changing, but I could be
completely wrong. What I am sure of however is that this is not a
psychological thing resulting from a new piece of equipment etc. The
difference in sound quality is obvious and significant and the effect
demonstrable to others.

Has anyone got any suggestions. Ideally I would like to be able to do
something the have the magnificent sound which I only seem to get for a few
days continue on a permanent basis.

Thanks

Colin Green

In article ,
Colin Green wrote:
What I am sure of however is that this is not a
psychological thing resulting from a new piece of equipment etc. The
difference in sound quality is obvious and significant and the effect
demonstrable to others.

Somehow, I doubt it. Try doing proper double blind tests.

--
*Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

In article , Colin Green
wrote:
My problem may seem rather strange, but here it is:-

The interesting thing is that whenever I connect a new piece of
equipment, using the Lapis cables, the same thing happens. Fantastic
sound for a few days, in respect of all components, which then fades
away. It even happens when there is a change to the cables. For example,
I have used Pro Gold to clean the connections from time to time, and on
occasions, the original sound comes back, but again only for a few days.
This happened most recently when I had the phono plugs on a pair of the
Lapis cables resoldered as they had become loose: great sound for a few
days only.

My own suspicion is that there is some kind of impedance alteration
going on and that a new/cleaned/repaired cable, or new piece of
equipment interface in a particular way for a short period before
changing, but I could be completely wrong.

The only things that occur to me a

1) Connections are tarnishing in some way. This really should not happen so
swiftly, or be so noticable, though. Hence it impies something odd is
happening.

2) Despite what you say below, the effect is due to your perceptions
responding to an expectation of change, or some 'uncontrolled' effect -
e.g. slight change in volume or listening position - that you aren't
noticing as a factor.

May be something else, of course... :-)


What I am sure of however is that this is not a psychological thing
resulting from a new piece of equipment etc. The difference in sound
quality is obvious and significant and the effect demonstrable to others.

The problem is that you may be "sure" of this, yet may be wrong in thinking
so. :-)

I routinely hear 'changes' from one day to another in all the systems I
use. I don't (in general) think the systems are changing though. I assume
it is due to changes in my perception, signal level altered, hearing
expectations adapting due to having listened to a different system for a
while, etc.

Has anyone got any suggestions. Ideally I would like to be able to do
something the have the magnificent sound which I only seem to get for a
few days continue on a permanent basis.

Cleaning contacts or resoldering decent connections is unlikely to have
much effect upon the impedances involved unless there was a quite serious
problem. Also, having cleared such a problem it should not promptly return
unless there is an underlying fault.

One (in principle) example being a high d.c. current passing through the
contacts as a result of leakage from one unit to another. This might lead
to tarnishing with some connections over time. However I'd be surprised if
this was acting as quickly and as repeatable as you describe.

Slainte,

Jim

--
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html

Thanks Jim

The tarnishing is something I'd considered, hence the use of Pro Gold.

Of course it may be that my hearing is deficient in some way! In that case
perhaps I should see a doctor :-)

Colin


"Jim Lesurf" wrote in message
...
In article , Colin Green
wrote:
My problem may seem rather strange, but here it is:-

The interesting thing is that whenever I connect a new piece of
equipment, using the Lapis cables, the same thing happens. Fantastic
sound for a few days, in respect of all components, which then fades
away. It even happens when there is a change to the cables. For example,
I have used Pro Gold to clean the connections from time to time, and on
occasions, the original sound comes back, but again only for a few days.
This happened most recently when I had the phono plugs on a pair of the
Lapis cables resoldered as they had become loose: great sound for a few
days only.

My own suspicion is that there is some kind of impedance alteration
going on and that a new/cleaned/repaired cable, or new piece of
equipment interface in a particular way for a short period before
changing, but I could be completely wrong.

The only things that occur to me a

1) Connections are tarnishing in some way. This really should not happen
so
swiftly, or be so noticable, though. Hence it impies something odd is
happening.

2) Despite what you say below, the effect is due to your perceptions
responding to an expectation of change, or some 'uncontrolled' effect -
e.g. slight change in volume or listening position - that you aren't
noticing as a factor.

May be something else, of course... :-)


What I am sure of however is that this is not a psychological thing
resulting from a new piece of equipment etc. The difference in sound
quality is obvious and significant and the effect demonstrable to
others.

The problem is that you may be "sure" of this, yet may be wrong in
thinking
so. :-)

I routinely hear 'changes' from one day to another in all the systems I
use. I don't (in general) think the systems are changing though. I assume
it is due to changes in my perception, signal level altered, hearing
expectations adapting due to having listened to a different system for a
while, etc.

Has anyone got any suggestions. Ideally I would like to be able to do
something the have the magnificent sound which I only seem to get for a
few days continue on a permanent basis.

Cleaning contacts or resoldering decent connections is unlikely to have
much effect upon the impedances involved unless there was a quite serious
problem. Also, having cleared such a problem it should not promptly return
unless there is an underlying fault.

One (in principle) example being a high d.c. current passing through the
contacts as a result of leakage from one unit to another. This might lead
to tarnishing with some connections over time. However I'd be surprised if
this was acting as quickly and as repeatable as you describe.

Slainte,

Jim

--
Electronics
http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html

In article , Colin Green
wrote:
Thanks Jim

The tarnishing is something I'd considered, hence the use of Pro Gold.

If the effect keeps reappearing as quickly as you say and *is* due to
tarnish, then there is a significant fault/problem with the system
somewhere. If so, it would need investigating.

Of course it may be that my hearing is deficient in some way! In that
case perhaps I should see a doctor :-)

Nope. There should be be no need. I see no reason from what you've said to
say your hearing is 'deficient' - if by that you mean worse than is usual
for humans with good hearing. I'd assume your hearing is 'normal' or
better. :-)

Of course, if you *do* have a hearing problem then *hearing* the doctor may
be more important than seeing one... ;-

The problem is that all humans have hearing/perception systems where the
behaviour varies with time and with various external factors. Changes from
morning to night, changes when excited or bored, changes when you've
already spent ten minutes listening to music, etc, etc.

Also there are all sorts of other effects, so slight changes can occur due
to changes in humidity. air pressure, etc, etc.

So the changes you percieve may be due to normal hearing variations, or to
other effects. Can't say.

Slainte,

Jim

--
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html