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Value of burn/break in?

I have my first hi end audio system. I fired it up, popped in a cd, and it doesn't have the vibrant sound that I thought it might have. I have a slightly used demo power amp from a dealer, slightly used demo speakers from a dealer, but a brand new tube preamp. A friend of mine told me that I will see a huge difference in sound quality once the tube preamp breaks in. I was wondering if I should get a break in cd or just wait till normal listening does the job
128x128easola01
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
almarg
I have no opinion about breakin CDs, though, as I’ve never used one and I have no particular knowledge of the technical characteristics of the signals they provide.

Generally the signal is a mixed sinusoid White and or Pink noise mid range signal played at a moderately high level continuously for a minimum of a few days up to two weeks or more. Works like a charm for everything in the signal path. As I mentioned earlier one can easily hear the improvements over the course of the burn in.
akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,270 posts
 
It took about 350-450 hours of break-in time for me for the various high-end electronics, speakers and cables to approach 90-95% of perceived maximum performance levels. There was a continued incremental settling in period after that that I did not track in detail. 

(1) the audio performance improvements were non-linear, .... but rather an ad hoc series of incremental steps with periods of pause or flatlining in between.

(2) it was never a sudden” a-ha “ moment either, but rather a subtle journey. (Emphasis on the “journey” instead of any “destination” conotation) 

= Patience required ....
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
I am a big fan of the Purist Audio Design "System Enhancer Ultimate" CD..It assists with burn-in and it demagnetizes the system. Play it at moderate volume on repeat.  You will notice a difference in your system after burn-in.  Be patient and enjoy hearing your system come to life!
easola01's avatar
easola01 OP
161 posts
 
Some good suggestions. I wish I could leave it on, but I am a truck driver and gone most of the time.

Amarg....good points about my speakers and power amp as far as burn in, and then also my interconnects and power cables which are all brand new as well. Hifiman 5 said be patient...sounds appropriate
tyray
603 posts
 
I'm an old school guy and like to burn/break in myself and listen to the gradual changes in my sound system. It seems that listening to your audio system by using your ears is a lost art these days. Also keep in mind when running your tube phono preamplifier or any other tube gear you have 24/7 will lower the overall life of those vacuum tubes.
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