DAC break-in question

Yep …. You betcha. Run-in time is important in high-end gear . ( I use “run-in” instead of an imperfect “break-in” )

MY TAKE:

My MOON 280D MiND2 streamer/ network player/ dac initially suggested a minimum run-in period of about 200-300 hours . BUT , It was only at the 500 hour level that it fully blossomed into its top performance strata.

What was explained to me was it was no surprise - the 200-300 threshold was the recommended MINMUM. The extended run-in time was necessary so that its high-end build parts, boards, and high-end OCC wiring settle in properly that parallel the required long run-in time in its high-end amps.

NOTE:

- Regardless, the unit audio performance run-in step-ups were never linear in time . Rather it was a series of ad hoc ladder steps .

- Every OEM will have its own bespoke manual directions . MOON suggests that it be left powered on continuously. I was initially skeptical, but I eventually relented to keep it powered on as suggested …. Hmmm …. Yes …. An audio performance additional uptick was now noticed .…go figger.

The DAC won't know that the amp is off...

Thanks so much. I have not done any serious listening to my new Topping e70 Velvet. I hope to start this weekend. So I will leave it on and stream from roon.

Again thanks

Yes you can. And for me , I have a Schiit Yiggy which needs to be warmed up and I leave it on continuously unless I’m gone on vacation. 

As @jl35 mentioned above, the DAC has no way of knowing what is connected to its outputs. It will try to spit out a signal even if nothing is powered up or even connected to its outputs. So you can definitely warm it up or break it in that way.