2. misc-audio
  3. 141113-3923

Break in blues

I just don't have the patience anymore to wait for components to settle in.That's the only caveat with having tubed components - ya can't leave em on 24/7 to speed up the process:( I have the little cartoon devil and angel on my shoulders.The devil is ocd "You've obviously made a mistake!After 3 days and 12 ENTIRE HOURS this thing sounds horrible!!Bright,congested,arrgh!!" The angel tries to sooth me"Turn it down,go do something else,don't listen at all until it's clocked in at 50 hours. "To be fair then the right thing to do is after an initial listen to some favorite tracks to give it another 50 hours then make a decision.Sigh....
So the devil suggested I swap cables and by golly he was right this time.Everything is playing together much better now.The old Gabriel Gold cable that sounded so sweet with the Rogue preamp was totally incompatible with the new Microzotl2.The new/old cable is a Siltech Paris.
The angel is a bit miffed but now at least I can get a feel for if it's a keeper or not before the deadline to return it arrives.What I like to do is play it at low volume for 4-5 hours each day then listen at the end of that period to see how it's coming along.It's been a few years since I've bought anything new and I don't remember ever being this anxious before.I don't remember auditioning a component that seemed to sound totally different day by day.Out of the box the Microzotl was excellent,next day bass heavy,next day the GLARE!Today with the new cable excellent.So if tomorrow is also excellent the angel and I will have learned something new.Cables do sound different from each other but I've never come across a situation where one was majorly incompatible.

128x128jtcf
michaelgreenaudio's avatar
michaelgreenaudio
1,019 posts
 

Hi jtcf

Here's a rule of thumb (a broadly accurate guide or principle, based on experience or practice rather than theory). Anytime you read someone can not hear breakin (burnin) "run". If someone is not able to hear audio differences in this hobby, they're the last one you should be taking sound advice from.

On this forum, and others, there are folks who come up and write purely for the sake of being noticed or boredom. Fact is, audio is a process that is in a continuum of change. Every second you listen change is happening. Learning to practice and play our systems is where we will find the sound that the "non-doers" will never have.

Don't pay attention to those who say they have been doing this hobby for 40 years, it means zero if they can't hear a simple thing like burnin. If a hobbyist can't hear burnin it means one of two things. One, their system is full of signal blockage (a common problem with HEA systems), and two, they simply can not hear the change. In either case they are not qualified to give advice on something they haven't experienced.

Debating if burnin exist is like asking a vegetarian how a burger taste.

anyway, now I'm hungry

Michael Green

jtcf's avatar
jtcf OP
1,617 posts
 
Geez!I was just ranting a bit is all.The little amp is sounding great since cable swapping.Tubed components do need to break in a while IMHO.After 25hours or so they're about 90% there.My anxiety stemmed from how it was sounding way different from day to day.And the naysayers are sort of right in this instance - it shouldn't have changed sonics radically like it seemed to be.That first cable for whatever reason was causing a problem.
I've been an audio geek for many years too,but mostly lurk rather than post.I type so slowly it's more fun to read the debates than to get a word in;)
michaellent's avatar
michaellent
193 posts
 
My Rogue 99 Magnum (tube pre) is shipping back to me right now, after being “Super-ed” at Rogue. Yea!
When it comes back, in just a few days, I’ll post here again and put a CAP ;) on this with debate with MY opinion!....Kidding!

I will post to this thread again, however, and speak of my experience when it comes back next week. So looking forward to that as my SS back up pre can’t cut it. 

Bentunderground






michaelgreenaudio's avatar
michaelgreenaudio
1,019 posts
 

Hi jtcf

Sorry about that! I should have been more clear as to who I was talking about. I was talking to you as the OP but I was referring to those who come up and say changes don't make a difference. Of course all changes including burnin are audible.

Sorry again, I should have separated the two.

mg

pgaulke60
299 posts
 
I can understand the concepts of a break-in period. Makes sense actually, particularly with tubes, which I have.  Then again, I have had s many variables with my system that it is hard to isolate the sound changes due to one factor - like a break-in period.  Examples include re-ripping CDs to better formats, populating my Roon Nucleus SSD, playing so much new music.  AND NOW, I just investing in a new set of Tube components and speakers (moving the existing to another room).  Way too many variable in my life to isolate anything down to a break-in period, but conceptually, I understand. I agree with earlier comments though, I am trying to sit back, chill, and "listen to the music play."
More to discover