I've always found when I sit down and listen, not expecting to be impressed by my system, is when I am impressed the most. If I go in expecting to be blown away, I am disappointed. As others have indicated, our brains can do funny things, based on our mood or what we expect. Sure, they certainly may be other factors at play, but if I were a betting man, I'd wager that the majority of the differences you hear are related to your own body/mind. That is, unless your mains voltage swings wildly from day to day.

It's the air between my earlobes that's the sole determinant; I could enjoy a top flight Mackie in an igloo in a snow blizzard if all is well in me bonce.

When I had my system. I would always turn everything on and let it play at low levels for 10 to 15 minutes. Kind of like I was pre- heating an oven. During that time I would select the music I wanted to hear, or unwind with a double shot of something delicious slowly sipped. Then when I am ready and excited about listening to some of my favorite tracks I begin. IMO building a rig is like modifying a car. You have it in your head how it is supposed to perform, and when it doesn't meet expectations...well you know.

Mine always sounds better after bourbon on the rocks. Uncanny.

Mine likes scotch better... [emoji16]

A bit of Remy Martin XO does the trick for me. :D

Bump, remember the realistic/tice clock? Plug it into an outlet in your listening room and notice an obvious change in tone. I agree with the theory of dirty power, I also agree with a little scotch although I gave it up.

I'm sure temperature & humidity has quite a large effect on sound quality. A few years back I was sound engineer for a ten piece band, the performance was for a golf club. The outside temperature was about minus ten centigrade but the performance area was comfortably warm. After satisfactory sound checks the performance sounded really good until the heating system failed. I was amazed by the change in sound as the temperature rapidly fell, the previously full sound was replaced by a thinner sharper sound and I remember my race with EQ settings to keep up with decending room temperature. The heating system was later restored as was the EQ. I never imagined a change in temperature would have such a large affect.

I live in a tightly populated subdivision with my system in the basement. I don't use a power conditioner or a dedicated breaker and I also notice a difference.