For context to this question, as some of you may have seen recently, I reached my endgame.
Qobuz / flac / WAV > Node Nano > SU-1 > Comet+ > Taurus mk. II > HEkse (with a mix of decent cables)
So, with my desktop game sorted, I have recently turned to my portable set-up. I don’t want to sink the money/time into a DAP/IEM set-up as I rarely need a portable set-up, so I’ve been auditioning DAPs and IEMs in ordered to judge where I must settle in terms of price/performance.
I went back to my desktop set-up last week, to what I consider audio perfection, and I couldn’t stand what I heard. It was just way too bright. I thought it may be that my amp hadn’t had long enough to warm up, so I switched back to my DAP/IEMs… I have had my amp warming up for two hours this afternoon to audition my new interconnects, and again, I just can’t listen to this chain. It’s just too bright.
I think it’s the headphone as I do use my desktop chain with IEMs every so often.
As far as I can tell, nothing in my system has changed. I’ve swapped over interconnects, but I have the same reaction to both sets of interconnects. I can’t think of what this could be the result of, apart from me getting used to hearing differently tuned transducers with all the IEMs I’ve been listening to recently. I could understand a short period of adjustment/brain burn-in may be required when I get the HEkse out, but I can’t even tolerate half a track - WTF?
I have had this phenomenon happen to me a few times over the years where a system i was listening to one day sounded terrible the next and offered no entertainment value and after a few years i learned to blame it on MY MOOD. Anxiety, deep stress, worry over some personal issue or other. My own mood seems to affect my ability to sit down and “chill” and more than once i have blamed the equipment. The first few years i genuinely blamed equipment synergy, component quality etc. BUT the only constant when this particular situation happened was my MOOD, emotionally or sometimes when i had an injury and pain was involved. Specifically I’m speaking to the situation you described @Go-Kart .
There is a second situation as i grew in the hobby and my own abilities and experiences evolved and grew, and this has been when I purposely sit down to critique, judge, learn about and experience a particular component or system build but this example is w/ purposeful focus on the room and seating acoustics or when i’m focusing on listening for a particular quality. This situation is different and this is when A/B swapping of components, adding or deleting to room or component placement etc. takes place w/ purpose.
Consider your mood, step away for a few days and listen again purposefully next time around to judge further and make a determination on what you experience next time around but do it in this frame of mind. Good luck buddy
Could be many things, but one time when it did happen was when I had a different digital filter on my DAC. I had shut down the system for a couple hours and unbeknownst to me my DAC went back to its factory settings. I was so frustrated, but fortunately I found out it was just a simple setting on the DAC.
In other words, maybe it’s a setting you’re missing even though nothing physical changed. Worth a shot…
It’s a little hard to track your thoughts in the last paragraph but I’ve read it a couple of times and think I have the gist of what you’re struggling with.
This is a hobby about intimacy and we are deeply intimate with our gear. IMO, if something is off, something is off. Don’t beat yourself up about what you think yo hear, just investigate and experiment with patience.
Have you tried different times of day, and different days to see if maybe it’s power quality from the wall changing? Also maybe try turning off ceiling fans, lights, anything with a compressor, etc to see if you have local power noise from other “things” in your house? Until I went with a power plant I had quite a bit of variability due to power. It was eye opening to me when I switched off every circuit breaker in my house expect my office where I listen. Very noticeable difference.
I would say if the time of day, chain parts, and environmental situation are identical i may be your mood or your body.
@NickMimi 's words are great on how mood can affect things. Lately i havent listened much as i just dont feel like it. I can almost guarantee anyone that is half paying attention has heightened anxiety lately. Anxiety fucks up a lot that we dont realize.
But also it is allergy season. During the next few months my ears will be more sensitive and will even hurt as the pollen fucks with me. All audio will lack depth and bass, i consciously try to avoid any purchases or evaluations during this time as my ears are so off. Its not like my day-to-day hearing is off either, but i can tell music listening just isnt there. The best is if my ears pop while listening it goes from a flat 2D picture to this deep intricate stage, so satisfying to get things back.
I find my ability to hear music through gear specifically gets affected by my mood and even how tired I am. If I got no sleep no matter how good the gear is it’s not enjoyable. If I’m up and aware. I can listen to even my worst piece of gear and really enjoy myself just as much as my signal chain. Idk if it’s your preference probably something more external affecting your mood and mindset for that day
One other thing to consider is whether or not you have started any new medications recently. Medications can affect your hearing more than people realize.
