Audio Science Review = "The better the measurement, the better the sound" philosophy

@prof

Right, and after OldHvyMec made his first major statement, there was a dispute, then 2 pancake posts and then posts where he could peddle his wire and break-in assumptions.

As to cartridge break-in, just admit you know nothing concerning vinyl playback. There are no tests that I have viewed indicating new versus 50 hour break-in results in sonic characteristic changes. HOWEVER, just because it wasn’t tested, I am not going out on a limb by stating nearly every other site discussing and reviewing cartridges ALWAYS recommends listening/reviewing after break-in, 15 hours or 50 hours or whatever.

I will swear that I have heard break-in of my new cartridges after 50 hours of play, which has happened over a dozen times since I’ve owned VPI turntables (40 years in 2023).

As to speakers, my dynamic speakers took about 50 to 100 hours to go from very dark sounding to open sounding.  Not subtle, very obvious.  I'm with OldHvyMec 100% on mechanical break-in. 

As a cable beta tester, I hear the cable raw, then burn it in for 24 hours.  I can't say I can always tell if it sounds better, but I can always tell when it sounds worse.  Depends on the cable.  Doesn't matter to ASR.   Tubes, maybe an hour or two.

Some of the greatest sounding musical instruments, in fact most all musical instruments  and even concert halls were designed and built without computers and electronic analysis equipment.  They were designed and built by artisans with skilled hands and ears.  It's all about what we hear.  When someone tries telling me I am not hearing what I think I am hearing, well that goes over with me about like putting a tax on a child's piggy bank.

@tonywinga 100%. I stated as much concerning modern (100% computer/AI designed) concert halls versus classic old concert halls.  Funny thing is that after the initial performances of a season or two, nearly all of those modern halls are then "renovated," "adjusted" to sound better generally determined by listening to the results and finding fault.  

Luckily, my audiophile friends, mastering engineers and audio equipment manufacturer don't doubt what I hear.  The former and latter friends have provided me with acoustic room suggestions in my former home.  The mastering engineers just share music.

@tonywinga you have for all intents and purposes said you are not honest with yourself. Every day our brain presents us with ideas that are not true. Many have inflated view of aspects of themselves, while having deflated views of other aspects. Our brain lies to us all the time. But this time, this time while listening to audio, it is 100% fallible? 

As to cartridge break-in, just admit you know nothing concerning vinyl playback.

Well, no...I won’t say I "know nothing", thank you very much. I will say I’m far from an expert and try not to make strong claims that aren't backed up with good evidence.

But, that’s me.

Am I to just fall to my knees and accept your claims as received wisdom? Or is it ok with you if I keep my critical faculties engaged?

You followed up with a bunch of claims about break in, all based on what you claim to hear. Perhaps you did hear break in. But then audiophiles believe they can hear everything under the sun - imagination and listener bias is, sorry, a fact of life and I see no reason to pretend it isn’t a variable. So, again, given I have seen many people with technical knowledge refute claims about break in, if an audiophile is going to claim break in I’ll wait for stronger evidence, in the form of measurements (or blind listening tests). You can do you, I can do me.