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General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories.

"Tinnitus Effect"........

Over the past several years, I've noticed an effect from listening to certain audio systems, tube combinations, and gear combinations..... After the music stops, I often notice "high frequency ringing" inside my head... (Similar to a high-pitched "heterodyne" tone heard on an AM radio or a "flyback transformer" on an old style CRT TV/monitor.) A "temporary tinnitus," if you will.... And it lingers on for several minutes afterwards.....

I've sometimes noticed it in just my left or right side, suggesting that the effect was present in one but not both channels (occurs primarily with tubes). This is directly related to my aversion to any digital audio playback that uses asynchronous sample-rate conversion or resolutions of at least 24/96, in which this effect is severely intensified. I've also noticed this effect more readily when listening to headphones than when listening to loudspeakers.

I do "tweaking" to the audio systems, and have noticed that the effect seems to vary with tubes used, gear used, and sometimes the recordings played....

Just recently, I tried a new driver tube (new production Telefunken E88CC-TK) in my 8417 amplifier, and noticed a distinctive absence of this effect..... And also noticed low level information in recordings as a result, especially late in tracks..... This absence of the effect caught my attention, the music became a lot more vivid and enjoyable. (I had a friend over at the house yesterday, he seemed to notice the difference as well. It does not mean this particular driver tube would do similar magic in a different amplifier/system.)

In retrospect, after trying a lot of combinations that I thought sounded "right" but had excessive "tinnitus effect" (and kind of tolerated it), I've come to the realization that the loss of satisfaction in sound reproduction isn't always what is heard during playback, but what is noticed afterwards.

I also wouldn't discount the notion that some people may not experience this effect to any significant degree.... And some may not experience this at all. (Could explain why some people enjoy high-resolution digital audio a lot more than others.) And yet others may experience this effect more severely than me.......

I don't think this effect is more severe with tubes or solid state.... I do think it is more common in digital audio than in analog (especially at resolutions greater than Redbook CD), but I've noticed this effect after playing vinyl on occasion.

I think it could have something to do with "parasitic oscillation," but I'm not sure..... I think RFI is also a culprit in the digital realm (could be intermodulating with the music and/or inducing parasitic oscillation). But for those who may have experienced this effect, especially if you can find ways to ameliorate it, addressing and fixing this issue could make a real impact on the overall satisfaction and enjoyment in playback of your favorite music.


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Topic - "Tinnitus Effect"........ - Todd Krieger 10:01:26 03/22/21 (40)

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