About Paul McGowan
Paul McGowan is the co-founder of PS Audio (The 'P' ) and has been designing, building and enjoying high end audio since 1974. He lives in Boulder Colorado with his wife Terri and his four sons: Lon, Sean, Scott and Rob. His hobbies include hiking, skiing, cooking, artisan bread baking. His current big project, other than playing with stereos, is writing a book series called the Carbon Chronicles. Book One, the Lost Chronicle, is a work in progress. You can view his efforts at http://www.paulmcgowan.com
Excellent question and video Paul! I have also noticed some days, time of day, and even seasons can effect your listing experience….in particular the quality of your power supplied from the outlet. Dirty/noisy power can collapse soundstages and erode dynamics quickly. For example if it’s a hot summer day and everyone is running the AC or early in the morning when factories rev-up to peak power use etc. I have always had my very best listening experience’s late into the evening when the grid tends to be quieter.
My daughter gave me a great book several years ago: “This Is Your Brain on Music”, the Science of a Human Obsession, by Daniel J. Levitin. Great understanding on how your brain works with music.
I have to say as almost 70 years old, and a bass trombonist, often sitting just in front of the percussion, my ears get quite a rough ride. So I have fairly continuous tinnitus. Even so I do notice the fine differences in HiFi, even with just a change of cables, or an upgrade in DAC. So I’m sure I agree with you Paul, it’s mainly in the brain – when I’m listening to music, mainly jazz or classical, with good sources, I can hear the individual notes of the chord played by and group if instruments, but the buzzing in my ears disappears until I think about it
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