CD Player break in period

Break in is a fact on electronics and speakers, but whether it has broken in and is now sounding optimum, or still has some way to go, depends IMHO on whether you have ever heard one operating under optimum conditions and are comparing it to that experience. What you are now experiencing may be the units optimum performance but your components just lack synergy in getting you to where you want to go. It may be that Tara Lab IC's might not be the best match (for you), or for that matter, your pre-amp or amps.

FWIW.

I will be very interested to hear what others report. I just unboxed my X-03SE and, once my speakers arrive, the listening will begin. I have to say that I find your experience perplexing. I do not dispute that equipment will improve in sound as it is "run in". In my experience some equipment, loudspeakers for example, require more break in time than other components. However, the number of hours you report seems VERY extreme, as does the really poor reported performance of the unit during the early break in stage. Although I may end up eating my words once I get mine fired up, it seems to me that 5-10 hours should bring any component (other than speakers) to around 90-95% of its performance capability. The last 5-10% occurs gradually over time and is sonically pretty indistinguishable from what is achieved in the first 5-10 hours. I've found this to be the case with wire as well as electronics (again, not speakers, whose dynamic drivers do require some limbering up). I hate to suggest this but if I were in your shoes I would be investigating whether your machine may have been damaged during shipping, perhaps due to exposure. Your dealers claim doesn't really mean too much since he has little interest in disabusing you of the notion that the player needs more break in time to reach its potential. I may get bashed here but I have to say that if, after 500 hours, the player doesn't sound right there is either something wrong with it or there is a problem elsewhere in the signal chain. I'll report back after I get mine up and running and if I end up experiencing something similar I'll fess up and take my lumps.

My take would be that I doubt it would be the Tara Labs cables causing this 'sting' on female vocals, more likely the Esoteric. I've owned a couple Esoteric units, and listened to a few more. That seems to be their house sound. Very dynamic, powerful and detailed, but not the richest or smoothest player out there. Esoteric will have it's fans, as do all components and cables. I'm not saying they are not good, but I know that they are not my cup of tea.

Who knows though, maybe with another 800-1000 hours you will adapt to the sound.

FWIW, I do believe in burn in, and more so than Dodgealum does I guess. I think that 100-200 hours will get you 95% of the way there though. Especially if you spend some of that time running the Ayre/Cardas burn in cd.

Cheers,
John

Cerrot,

I had the same experience as you with this player. In addition to the issues you mention, my demo unit had an exceptionally loud transport during play (heard from listening area during play in a dedicated audio space). It was returned.

It may have been a faulty unit. I also wonder if those who purchase the unit get hung up on the "apparent" good build of the unit and therefore never really "hear" the unit.

YMMV.

Dodgealum, I have contacted a few Esoteric X03-SE owners as I was very concerned that there was something wrong with my player. The few I spoke with are in the same boat, one at 250 hours found player unbearable (I could not listen to mine) and two told me that it took 800 hours and they were shocked that it was even better after 1,000 hours. Please let me know your thoughts.