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

 

[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).

 

[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.