I had it then it was ...... Gone

[Richx200]

Wiped everything; starting fresh.... Check.
All software up to date .... Check
Checked alignment of all speakers with the laser.... Check.
Room noise level 42 db .... Check
Set each woofer to 70 dB at 1 meter ..... Check
Set other eleven speakers to 75 dB with pink noise .... Check
Took a breaker (did I miss anything) NO ...... Check
Fired up, Arc Genesis .... check
Set up two speaker profiles, to 7.2.4 for Dolby Atmos ... Check
Set up two speaker profiles, to 2.2 for Stereo .... Check
Calibrated Mic.... Check
Running Arc ... Check
Spacing of mic for five sweeps ..... Check
Sweeps done results checked ..... Check
Set one 7.2.4 and one 2.2 to extended bass boost ... check
Load AVR with Arc's Files .... Check
Sets up the DAC and AVR profile number three profile 2.2 no extended bass .... check
Found my spot ... check
Found some tracks 192/24 Dire Straits Money for Nothing .... Check

Closed my eyes and BLISS .... I got it the stage was set, timbre clear, I was in the envelope. It was like I was there; Mark Knopfler singing to me. This went on for a few hours, playing all kind's of music.
Then the envelope, it was gone. The stage and timbre was still there, but the magic seemed to have faded away. I didn't change anything

Was this a matter of my brain adjusting to a new sound and waking me up?

Has this happened to anyone here?

 

[Dunring]

Sometimes when I switch from on set of gear to another with a lower noise floor it seems like such a noticable improvement, then my brain gets used to it.
With headphones switching amplifiers from an SMSL SP200 to a Topping L30 II had that wonderful effect. With the 10ohm Truthear Zero Blue IEMs it was amazing, but the next day it still sounded great, but just not the wow factor it initially had.

 

[kemmler3D]

Was this a matter of my brain adjusting to a new sound and waking me up?

Sounds like you did a good job setting up.

Could be you just adjusted to the new setup. Could be listening fatigue. Could be you are just tired.

Come back when you are rested, in a good mood, and maybe with beverage of choice and the magic will be there.

 

[antcollinet]

Was this a matter of my brain adjusting to a new sound and waking me up?

Probably - the feeling of magic is a state of mind, not a state of sound.

Like any activity - the first time you experience it can be magical. That state of euphoria is not sustainable. Even if it were, your perception of the sound quality will depend on your state of mind. Your mood, your comfort, what else is going on in your life etc etc. Even just the way you are listening (eg listening to the system after setting up your system from scratch - or routinely : listening to the music)

Even just listening to a new setup your perceptive biases may well be convincing you it sounds amazing.

Who wants to listen to the system? I'm here for the music.

 

[kemmler3D]

the first time you experience it can be magical. That state of euphoria is not sustainable.

Sad but true. If the "magic" was attainable at any time then we'd be called wizards.

My advice for getting the magic back... think back to what you used to listen to and how much better it sounded when you set up the new system. Pay attention to what you noticed the first time, of course it's still there. It's just not new, different from, and better than what you're used to, now. Think about how lucky you are to be able to listen to John Coltrane (or whoever) on the system you've got now instead of whatever crap gear you had 15 years ago.

It's a mental game to notice what's exceptional about the system you have, don't let upgradeitis set in. Use force to keep your perspective form warping.

Just like some people are full of gratitude for their mud huts, and others are full of complaints about their mansions, you need to play an active role in noticing how good your gear is if you want to appreciate it for an extended period.

Just so this post doesn't end up as a bunch of vague amateur philosophical blather on a site that's supposed to be about science, I think this phenomenon might have to do with the "hedonic treadmil", which is a scientific way of saying people can get used to anything, good or bad, and thereby keep seeking something better no matter how good they have it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedonic_treadmill

My personal view is you can fight this to an extent by actively paying attention to what's good about your system.

BTW: Welcome to ASR. If there's ever been a place that marries science and "magic", this is it.

 

[restorer-john]

Wiped everything; starting fresh.... Check.
All software up to date .... Check
Checked alignment of all speakers with the laser.... Check.
Room noise level 42 db .... Check
Set each woofer to 70 dB at 1 meter ..... Check
Set other eleven speakers to 75 dB with pink noise .... Check
Took a breaker (did I miss anything) NO ...... Check
Fired up, Arc Genesis .... check
Set up two speaker profiles, to 7.2.4 for Dolby Atmos ... Check
Set up two speaker profiles, to 2.2 for Stereo .... Check
Calibrated Mic.... Check
Running Arc ... Check
Spacing of mic for five sweeps ..... Check
Sweeps done results checked ..... Check
Set one 7.2.4 and one 2.2 to extended bass boost ... check
Load AVR with Arc's Files .... Check
Sets up the DAC and AVR profile number three profile 2.2 no extended bass .... check
Found my spot ... check
Found some tracks 192/24 Dire Straits Money for Nothing .... Check

Closed my eyes and BLISS .... I got it the stage was set, timbre clear, I was in the envelope. It was like I was there; Mark Knopfler singing to me. This went on for a few hours, playing all kind's of music.
Then the envelope, it was gone. The stage and timbre was still there, but the magic seemed to have faded away. I didn't change anything

Was this a matter of my brain adjusting to a new sound and waking me up?

Has this happened to anyone here?

The drugs wore off.

 

[MaxwellsEq]

I sometimes think it's about "writing new memories". The first time you visit somewhere, it's interesting, exciting, overwhelming. After you've been there for a week, you stop noticing a lot of it. The brain is energy intensive and also tries to minimise energy used through "backgrounding" backgrounds and prioritizing what is new or changed.

 

[Soandso]

I know that feeling and have the following explanation. From brain electrical activity measuring (electroencephalographs) we know there are brain neural oscillations. Measurable "attention event related potential" (ERP in the literature) related to sound include both early brain sensing processes and an additional 300ms (termed P3a) later potential, which is the ERP related to sound processing involving parts of our higher order brain. The neural oscillations from low to high frequency are Theta, Alpha, low Beta, high Beta and Gamma.

In the O.P. case of prolonged listening what seems to be occurring is habituation with sensory input. This over time has a relationship with neural fatigue, which is a stressor and stress alters the ratio of Alpha and Beta brain oscillations. Now exactly which range of Alpha and/or Beta brain electrical activity increases or decreases, at what pattern of cycling and where exactly in the brain that is going on is not uniform among every person or situation. That said a common opinion seems to be that generally viewed there is a reduction in Alpha ERP (attentional event related potential) responses to stress and an increase in Beta ERP - but bear in mind music is dynamic.

In summary: prolonged attention listening to music causes changes in the brains Alpha and Beta neural oscillatory electrical potentials. I propose it is this altered patterns of brain ERP oscillations 300ms after hearing a sound which instigate part of our higher brain to subsequently dampen our experience of the "magic."

 

[Mart68]

The drugs wore off.

Alcohol is the cheapest and most effective upgrade. I only really discovered that when I quit drinking.

 

[Geert]

Was this a matter of my brain adjusting to a new sound and waking me up?

Buy a new set of cables, swap some opamps or install an audiophile fuse and enjoy the magic once more.

 

[DSJR]

I've in the distant past had times when a particular 'system sound quality' has knocked me backwards with pleasure, but it's always been fleeting (doesn't have to have been an expensive rig either), but like experiencing a new more powerful car or the first alcoholic drink (no experience of 'smoke' or other recreational drugs) for the first time, it soon wears off as one gets used to it.


I'm resigned to flogging some of my stash now, as my genteel sounding system underwhelms my worn out ears far too much and the aids don't always work to correct it (I've discovered they don't like rock music at almost 'any' level and turn themselves down if the mix gets busy I crave some 'sonic excitement' all over again as maybe in wider dispersion/directivity but not sure if herself would tolerate an exposed waveguide look.

 

[kemmler3D]

Alcohol is the cheapest and most effective upgrade. I only really discovered that when I quit drinking.

Depending on how you count it, weed is cheaper than booze.

 

[tinnitus]

That is the Bad burn in effect. Therefore you need cables with the same connectors on both sides. Turn youe cables 180° and the effect is cleared. I must do this every month.

 

[ferrellms]

Wiped everything; starting fresh.... Check.
All software up to date .... Check
Checked alignment of all speakers with the laser.... Check.
Room noise level 42 db .... Check
Set each woofer to 70 dB at 1 meter ..... Check
Set other eleven speakers to 75 dB with pink noise .... Check
Took a breaker (did I miss anything) NO ...... Check
Fired up, Arc Genesis .... check
Set up two speaker profiles, to 7.2.4 for Dolby Atmos ... Check
Set up two speaker profiles, to 2.2 for Stereo .... Check
Calibrated Mic.... Check
Running Arc ... Check
Spacing of mic for five sweeps ..... Check
Sweeps done results checked ..... Check
Set one 7.2.4 and one 2.2 to extended bass boost ... check
Load AVR with Arc's Files .... Check
Sets up the DAC and AVR profile number three profile 2.2 no extended bass .... check
Found my spot ... check
Found some tracks 192/24 Dire Straits Money for Nothing .... Check

Closed my eyes and BLISS .... I got it the stage was set, timbre clear, I was in the envelope. It was like I was there; Mark Knopfler singing to me. This went on for a few hours, playing all kind's of music.
Then the envelope, it was gone. The stage and timbre was still there, but the magic seemed to have faded away. I didn't change anything

Was this a matter of my brain adjusting to a new sound and waking me up?

Has this happened to anyone here?

In my case it is because the drugs are wearing off.

 

[Richx200]

Thank you all for the thought full responses ! (although some are questionable)

I have always fought the urge to go down the audiophile rabbit hole; never thought that two more feet of fallopian tube and a couple of fender relics would make anything sound better. I guess for those who think a few feet of wire at $300.00 a foot means something, well it has got to be a mental thing.

Way back when I started in audio, I thought Mono was the bomb then Stereo, Quad, Four Channel Discreet, THX, Dolby Surround, and now Atmos but, I always listen to music in stereo. I do have subs I use for curtain types of music, and for the most part they stay off. Dolby Atmos is great for watching movies (gets you involved) and it is the end of the line for any upgrades (wife aggro....no more speakers)

I do enjoy what I have now, I just never took the care and time to setting everything up properly. Now that I have, it is locked in. (unless the wife redecorates) then I have to reset.

Looks like the best advice to chill out roost a few bowls, enjoy the experience of the music.

 

[antcollinet]

Looks like the best advice to chill out roost a few bowls, enjoy the experience of the music.

Spot on.

 

[Duke]

@Richx200, if I understand correctly, your "the magic faded away" experience was with two channel, is this right? What speakers are you using? If you're using any room treatments, can you describe them? I'm trying to get a feel for the speaker/room interaction so anything you can add about the room itself and your set-up would be helpful.

And, was the magic there again when you came back the next day? Or it is permanently gone?

I have observed something that may be similar to what you're describing, and the additional information would be very helpful.

Thanks!

 

[robh36062]

Closed my eyes and BLISS .... I got it the stage was set, timbre clear, I was in the envelope. It was like I was there; Mark Knopfler singing to me. This went on for a few hours, playing all kind's of music.
Then the envelope, it was gone. The stage and timbre was still there, but the magic seemed to have faded away. I didn't change anything

In the same listening session? Did you move your seat? Just seems odd it would just change.

You have an analog pass through? Could you have accidentally switched into the DSP processing?

On my Pre Pro the modes are Reference Stereo or just Stereo the later being through the DSP EQ or no EQ. A simple accidental button touch on the remote is all it takes to change.

Rob

 

[Platypus20]

Went from Mozart or Beethoven to Captain Beefheart (or the other way round

 

[Doodski]

@Richx200 are you using EQ/PEQ?