Even though I'm an avid 2 channel stereo music lover, I also love the occasional movie, too, and due to the lack of space, I have to optimise my setup for multi-channel listening also However, when it came listening to my newly discovered multi-channel setup, I immediately became aware of how the room sounded different. Didn't know what it was at first, but coming from an audio black background, there was no way I was prepared to put up with it! Even after auditioning 3 separate AVR's, the same ambient sound of the room was still present! That told me the unwanted faint background signal noise I had been experiencing (poor description) had nothing to do with the actual units. Therefore, my attention changed to the cables. And even then It was only on the third occasion after previously living with two separate sets of cables that finally I ended up purchasing shielded cables and the noise floor within my small room finally came down to satisfactory levels. Cables often act as antennas for attracting RF, and the longer the cable, the better the antenna. Probably explains why when I used to disconnect my heights and surrounds within 10 minutes, the faint background signal noise (RF/EMI) within my small room used to disappear/dissipate. The more cables I shield, the quieter my room becomes, and the better the shielding, the more the chance the cables are likely to disappear. In fact, the last group of cables I changed were from my chord clearway HDMI shielded cables to the chord epic AOC (active optical cables) and lo and behold the last little bit of intermittently high frequency interference I had been putting up had finally been extinguished. If one has the same sensitivities and is looking to address this matter, but is also hoping to notice (hear) the incremental differences, I would suggest starting with analogue cables before moving on to digital and power cables. Trying to achieve a totally silent room sadly has turned into obsession for me. However, the results speak for themselves. There are times when pressing pause (or mute), my small room has now become so quiet that I'm actually unable to differentiate whether the system is on or if the system is actually switched off. Of course, audiophile equipment helps, but in reality, for one to have a totally silent room, cables are where it's at. When friends or guests come over, I used to show them how loud the system goes. Nowadays I prefer to press mute and show them how my quiet it goes None of them gets it, of course 😂
Sounds like we share similar paths. I often times close my eyes and have my wife press mute and unmute to see if I can tell the difference and from 9.6 feet from my mlt I can’t tell. So you are 100% correct in that you have to pay attention to your cable methodically.
Even though I'm an avid 2 channel stereo music lover, I also love the occasional movie, too, and due to the lack of space, I have to optimise my setup for multi-channel listening also
However, when it came listening to my newly discovered multi-channel setup, I immediately became aware of how the room sounded different. Didn't know what it was at first, but coming from an audio black background, there was no way I was prepared to put up with it!
Even after auditioning 3 separate AVR's, the same ambient sound of the room was still present! That told me the unwanted faint background signal noise I had been experiencing (poor description) had nothing to do with the actual units. Therefore, my attention changed to the cables. And even then It was only on the third occasion after previously living with two separate sets of cables that finally I ended up purchasing shielded cables and the noise floor within my small room finally came down to satisfactory levels.
Cables often act as antennas for attracting RF, and the longer the cable, the better the antenna. Probably explains why when I used to disconnect my heights and surrounds within 10 minutes, the faint background signal noise (RF/EMI) within my small room used to disappear/dissipate.
The more cables I shield, the quieter my room becomes, and the better the shielding, the more the chance the cables are likely to disappear. In fact, the last group of cables I changed were from my chord clearway HDMI shielded cables to the chord epic AOC (active optical cables) and lo and behold the last little bit of intermittently high frequency interference I had been putting up had finally been extinguished.
If one has the same sensitivities and is looking to address this matter, but is also hoping to notice (hear) the incremental differences, I would suggest starting with analogue cables before moving on to digital and power cables.
Trying to achieve a totally silent room sadly has turned into obsession for me. However, the results speak for themselves. There are times when pressing pause (or mute), my small room has now become so quiet that I'm actually unable to differentiate whether the system is on or if the system is actually switched off. Of course, audiophile equipment helps, but in reality, for one to have a totally silent room, cables are where it's at.
When friends or guests come over, I used to show them how loud the system goes. Nowadays I prefer to press mute and show them how my quiet it goes
None of them gets it, of course 😂
Sounds like we share similar paths. I often times close my eyes and have my wife press mute and unmute to see if I can tell the difference and from 9.6 feet from my mlt I can’t tell. So you are 100% correct in that you have to pay attention to your cable methodically.