Do we break in our componets or do our componets ?

Some stuff definitely needs to break in.

I've seen amps that sound pretty good out of the box, but
are missing the bass and over the next few weeks, playing the
gear continuously, the bass fills in, highs extend, etc.

This doesn't mean you have to like the sound after the
component has broken in.

You do have to give your gear time, but you also have to
trust your ears. If you find yourself continually *trying*
to like your system -- that's probably a warning sign of
some sort.

IMO, you have to give each component a fair shot, but you also have to be willing to move on and try other stuff in
your system until you're happy.

Tinker, tinker, tinker.

IMO, this is what is so *PERFECT* about Audiogon. You can
usually purchase a component used, try it in your system --
keep it immaculate, save the packaging, etc. -- most cases the gear should be broken in if it is used -- but, I've bought used stuff that still broke in further -- and if after giving it a fair shot it doesn't work, sell it for close to what you paid.

As you mix and match, you'll get a feel for how different
components affect the sound, which piece in your system is'the "weak link," etc.

Don't stop until you're happy.

Hughes 12:
Welcome to the break-in wars. All our products are broken-in before sale or demo; you now have an insight to the problem. An unbroken-in piece of wire smaller than one inch will throw a system into a tail spin. Any solder joint that has been re-connected will do the same. We found using a tuner for a source or applying a large amount of current did not get the job done. So we were stuck playing music 24/30. To solve the problem we collaborated with another company and the outcome was the “Cable Cooker”. But now a new problem has emerged. As the products resolution increases so does the duration of break-in time. What once took 3 days on the “cooker” is now taking 3 weeks [our most advanced designs]. Every time you push the envelope, the envelope pushes back.

"An unbroken-in piece of wire smaller than one inch will throw a system into a tail spin."

I'm a believer in "break in," but I would have to say I'm skeptical about taking "break in" this far. Maybe it depends on the definition of "tail spin."

Rsbeck:
Life is not based on speculation; try it and discover.

People get broken in to qualities that are not too offensive, as in mostly neutral qualities (as opposed to nasty or nice qualities) and more benign qualities (e.g. our own heart beat and rims of a new pair of glasses). The psych response will not make ugly seem beautiful.