George, there is no magic change between the 800 hrs and the 1K hrs break in mark in X-01. Rather, this is the time when a user will likely lift all residual reservations or qualification on the X-01 performance. When the product is brand new, the user is likely to notice a certain amount of tightness in the overall sound and a moderate to very significant amount of harshness in the treble. This will be noticeable in most CDs. As you break in the unit, there is progressive opening of the stage, frequency range extends, mids get fleshed out, harmonics ring more openly, and treble becomes more extended and clean. More and more CD listening experiences will move to the, good/excellent/glorious categories. You will find less and less CDs that you will categorize as problematic and etched. To make an example, my recording of the Dumka Piano Quintet Op. 81A by Antonin Dvorak played by the Tokyo Quartet et al. (CBS Masterworks MK 44920)
lost its treble etch at the 500 mark. Yet Lara St. John playing Bach works for violin solo on HDCD was still very unpleasant, and became not only listenable but downright glorious after just over 900 hrs of break in. And in my collection, this was the very last CD to hold out as a residual 'problem child'.
As for the nature of physical or electrical changes involved in electronics break in: I haven't the foggiest idea!
lost its treble etch at the 500 mark. Yet Lara St. John playing Bach works for violin solo on HDCD was still very unpleasant, and became not only listenable but downright glorious after just over 900 hrs of break in. And in my collection, this was the very last CD to hold out as a residual 'problem child'.
As for the nature of physical or electrical changes involved in electronics break in: I haven't the foggiest idea!