Cartridge breakin ......how long?

Waiting for breakin before I draw any conclusions, but "zingy" or "hi fi" is not how I would describe my sound. As I said above, very quiet tracking. I forget I'm listening to used vinyl. Don't recall feeling that way with my Glider. Retrieves a lot more info too. Is that because the Glider wasn't set up optimally? Don't know. It too was professionally installed. Are there better cartridges available? You bet; but I just purchased new speaker cables, so I had a very tight budget to work with (and a very loving wife who I didn't want to upset!) Going through my vinyl collection and enjoying what I'm hearing. Very happy and content with my Zephyr.

Too "zingy", right? I found Soundsmith to sound very "hi-fi".

"11-17-15: Inna
Zd542, good cables , they can change dramaticaly for the better after 100-200 hours. I consider cables components."

I agree with you on that. Some cables take even longer than 200 hours to break in. The OP was asking about a phono cart for break in.

"11-17-15: Stringreen
To me hours are meaningless. Just listen and enjoy your music. If while listening something is bothering you, experiment with VTF, arm height, loading....it should be a quest for satisfaction and your ability to squeeze your system to provide it."

That's good advice, but with new carts, you need to be careful. A brand new phono cart can sound so bad you'll think its defective. For the first 15-20 hours, I can actually hear a difference with each new record I play.

To me hours are meaningless. Just listen and enjoy your music. If while listening something is bothering you, experiment with VTF, arm height, loading....it should be a quest for satisfaction and your ability to squeeze your system to provide it.

Thanks for the input. Cartridge was mounted by experienced dealer. I will wait 50 hours and then make adjustments. I'm excited about this cartridge's potential. Tracks very quietly and retrieves more info out-of-the-box than my Glider. Can't wait to hear it after breakin.

I have a Soundsmith Aida and it took between 50 to 100
hours of playing time be patience you will be rewarded with great sound.

IMO, it depends on the cartridge. My experience with various cartridges is between 20 and 200 hours to reach best performance.

ALSO, at least in the case of an AT OC9/(all of them), if they sit idle for a while (week or more), it may take them a few record sides to get back to optimum. Regular play keeps them loose.

50 to 100 HRS.

i like it when it's out of box just like new strings on guitar tho

I have a Soundsmith Aida and it took between 50 to 100
hours of playing time be patience you will be rewarded with great sound.

120 - 150 hours with Koetsu. The suspension also needs break in, so you can put the tonearm on the LP, when the turntable is not in use.

50 hours is average.

I have the Zephryr on a Classic too, you need to play with the VTA and azimuth to get the best sound.

Zd542, good cables , they can change dramaticaly for the better after 100-200 hours. I consider cables components.

Break in makes a huge difference with phono carts. They break in a lot more than any other component. I would give it somewhere between 50 and 100 hours.

I could give you two kinds of answer:
1. As long as you hear the improvement.
2. Give it at least 100 hours and make final VTA and anti-skate adjustments after it.
I am not talking about any particular cartridge, so this will vary.