... what is Settling Time in cables and interconnects...

They don't want to sell broken - in equipment. It has a bad sound to it. In any case, I would not call idiots those who have no opportunity to defend themselves and I would not teach them how to do commerce. 
Some manufacturers do burn in what they make but not fully, as I understand. I think, Gryphon puts 70 hours or so on their integrateds and recommends at least 100 hours more.

inna
They don’t want to sell broken - in equipment. It has a bad sound to it.

>>>>>That’s quite a bold statement and one that flies in the face of most people’s experience. Do you have any evidence to back up your statement?

inna
In any case, I would not call idiots those who have no opportunity to defend themselves and I would not teach them how to do commerce.

>>>>I’m not calling them idiots. I’m calling them short-sighted and perhaps close minded. No offense to them or you. They are free to post their comments on the subject here as this is a free forum. If I thought it would do any good I’d send out an email distribution to all appropriate manufacturers.

The phrase " broken-in" doesn't have a nice ring to it. " Burnt-in " is not much better. And they would have to say either of them, or both. 
Nothing to do with money directly, everything to do with image and stance.
Elizabeth called them idiots, Geoff, not you.

I see what you mean.

sejodiren,

"So I just took all my cables and dragged them around out in the snow...."

Nothing works like good old cryoing the cables. And you did it in organic and gluten-free way. Kudos to you. No wonder they sounded better. Could ears falling off have also influenced the sound to some extent? Maybe that is all that Van Gogh was trying to achieve. Get sweeter timbre and faster transients.