Placebo? Hifi sounds better after new consumer unit (inc bigger earth cable).

[Yadda]

I had a new mains consumer unit fitted today - a "top of the range" one apparently. The electrician said the old one was about 35-40 years old with a narrow earth cable (I can't remember the exact size). He also spotted a dodgy mains socket during his testing (loose neutral) and replaced that too.

Now, I like my Hifi but I'm no "buff", but I've been listening to my CDs for the past couple of hours and I swear everything sounds brighter, crisper and more detailed, and the bass more defined.

Is there really something in this or am I falling for classic placebo effect?

Edit:
Specs might help.

Marantz CD6000OSE
Arcam Alpha 8r
Arcam Alpha 8p
Acoustic Energy Aegis Evo 3 (bi-amped)
Cambridge Audio Pacific interconnects
QED XT Evolution speaker cables

 

[Andrew_McP]

Ah yes, the infamous oxygen-free consumer unit! /canofworms

My electrical engineering knowledge is mainly derived from licking 9V batteries, but it wouldn't surprise me if a 'cleaner' supply to the ring main didn't have some benefit in the barely perceptible mains hum department. Not that I'd be able to tell. I spent my youth buried in a pair of Woolies headphones listening to prog rock on crackly second hand vinyl. My ears were shot 40 years ago, which has saved me a fortune in hi-fi kit.

I do need a new consumer unit though. I look forward to the fridge running a bit quieter.

 

[Yadda]

Ah yes, the infamous oxygen-free consumer unit! /canofworms

My electrical engineering knowledge is mainly derived from licking 9V batteries, but it wouldn't surprise me if a 'cleaner' supply to the ring main didn't have some benefit in the barely perceptible mains hum department. Not that I'd be able to tell. I spent my youth buried in a pair of Woolies headphones listening to prog rock on crackly second hand vinyl. My ears were shot 40 years ago, which has saved me a fortune in hi-fi kit.

I do need a new consumer unit though. I look forward to the fridge running a bit quieter.

I'm sure my 80's Aiwa walkman did some damage too so I hear ya, just about (TOP OF THE STAIRS, FIRST DOOR ON THE LEFT).

 

[JasonM]

Now, I like my Hifi but I'm no "buff", but I've been listening to my CDs for the past couple of hours and I swear everything sounds brighter, crisper and more detailed, and the bass more defined.

You have just described exactly what happens when the quality of the mains improves, namely top end is brighter and the bottom end is smoother. I have had a similar improvement from using hi fi mains conditioners.

 

[Armageus]

You have just described exactly what happens when the quality of the mains improves, namely top end is brighter and the bottom end is smoother. I have had a similar improvement from using hi fi mains conditioners.

Surely there's a way of testing/seeing the difference in signal in some way (oscilloscope?)

And why stop there? Must be a market to have hi-fi power stations, pylons etc.

http://www.kevinboone.net/hifimainscables.html

 

[Rroff]

Could be the old setup had some kind of ground loop/imbalance - it can impact audio in various ways - theoretically that kind of effect is measurable on a scope.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

It's a very debatable subject.
I've seen people on hifi forums arguing it both ways. When I had the mains put in for our conservatory, it was dirt cheap to add an additional loop at the same time, which is dedicated to my stereo.
Have to say, I think it sounds slightly better. Placebo? Maybe.

 

[Yadda]

Interesting replies. I've no way of measuring the signal (and obviously don't have a way of getting a 'before' reading now anyway) so can only go on how it sounds and all I can say is that DSOTM has never sounded so good on my system. It blew me away last night tbh.

At a shade over £400 it's fairly cheap as hifi upgrades go and has the added bonus of taking the risk out of taking a shower.

 

[JasonM]

Surely there's a way of testing/seeing the difference in signal in some way (oscilloscope?)

And why stop there? Must be a market to have hi-fi power stations, pylons etc.

http://www.kevinboone.net/hifimainscables.html

I'm not talking about mains cables, i'm referring to improving mains quality.

I once did a test on a mains conditioner by plugging a network over mains adapter into it, and TP-Link stats showed a very large reduction in it's sync speed, proving the filtering was working at least to some degree.

I've also used a mains conditioner at a friends house who was getting clicking in his hi-fi from his fridge operating, and the mains conditioner not only improved sound but removed the clicking he was hearing. We both agreed in 10 seconds there was an improvement in sound. His home electrics were very doggy it turned out (from 1960's) and British Gas Home Care condemn all the house wiring recently, so the mains conditioner I installed probably had plenty to work with given how bad the house wiring was.