Inconsistency in System

Path7man, is there a pattern to when the system sounds good or bad? As suggested by Slv, late evenings are best for AC noise. Also, check if some of your home appliances are on when the system sounds bad (microwaves, fans, etc). Power conditioners, outlets, dedicated lines can all help and there are lots of threads about that.

Xplastic, you measured a drop in current after adding a different pc? Wow! First I heard of anyone being able to measure that.

Slappy, so that explains why those two beers hit me so easily over the weekend. Like yours, my mind is ready for the drinks the rest of the time! I absolutely agree that mental preparation and mood are critical.

Xplastic, I am absolutely not making fun of you or trying to be cute. It really is the first time I heard of a cord change making a measurable difference. That's very interesting and will be added to my bag of memories I carry forward on the road to audio nirvana. The resistance in that cord must have been pretty large (current = voltage divided by resistance) and, normally, short lengths of different gauges that are reasonably close to one another don't make that big a difference. Thanks for taking the time to expand on the point.