Time/Process of Hooking up New Equipment

I among those that take their time when installing new gear. The task is pleasant enough if time is not a factor and of course there's that fun of opening a carton and - as my dealer likes to say - enjoying all of that fresh Minnestota air as it escapes.

If it is possible, I will try to slip the new component into my system and, the hard part, do not really listen to it for as long as possible. It needs time to break in. With an amp it is simple to do and the results in changes needed upstream (including perhaps even speaker orientation) will only become apparent after break in completed. You don't want to try to do too much too soon. Its counter productive.

I'm same as above posts, especially if components require more complex setup, I may be stressed in these cases. Best listening sessions begin when relaxed, keeping my expectations and desires in check allows me to reach this relaxed state, which in turn allows greater involvement with music. Listening to the music rather than analyzing sound quality is the 'real' test for me, if my involvement is greater I know I have a winner.

yes, wait, even better, get a friend over to help you.

I am the opposite. I will find a way to have the new component operational in record time… minutes preferred… or an hour.
 

Putting a new component in your system is more like having it shipped. There is so much more time needed to actually hear it. So, putting it in my system is only the beginning of the seemingly endless break in process. It is of little significance. Having a new component with 1,000 hours on it… now you have it. That is what it will sound like.

If it sounds great out of the box it is great… but I know it will be at least a week until I can begin to start hearing what it will actually sound like…assuming it is solid state and I can run it 24 x 7. If tubed… OMG… a month or two months to get it stable and start hearing it.