Power Cable Break In - Such a Change!
I installed a new AudioQuest Dragon Source power cord from my Lumin X1 to my Niagara 7000. The power cord from the wall to the Niagara 7000 is also a Dragon but the High Current version. I bought that cord used.
So, when I first started using the new power cord everything sounded great. However, after a couple of days I started hearing a strident sound. Especially in the upper mid/ treble region. The bass was also constricted. I started blaming the sound change on another piece of equipment that was installed concurrently.
Now, I was under the impression that the Dragon power cord with its DBS system required no break in. But I did inquire about it to AudioQuest who responded that it would still need about 150 hours to break in. It's been close to that now and sure enough yesterday I started hearing the glorious sound that I heard from day one with the power cord only perhaps better.
I must say the difference during break in and now is quite remarkable, I don't remember any other power cord going through this amount of dramatic change.
ozzy
Can anyone here (or anywhere else for that matter) explain in a scientific way, how electrons traveling over, around, and through wiring of any type, change the properties of said wire to supposedly improve the sound?
Also, in more than 40 years of reading about stereo stuff, I've never heard of something sounding worse after the supposed break-in. Why is that? |
@mrskeptic This video explained it IMO. Jump to about 11 minutes in to speed it along. At about 24:30 minutes in, he explains break in.
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This is good news! A lot of people think previously owned gear has already been through the break-in process. There is always a “settling in” period where it sounds great at first, then things get a little squirrel-e before it finally blossoms. Not realizing this at first I too have gone on a “hunt” for some other culprit. Even thought I now understand this I still do that; every time. I can relate. |
