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CD Player break in period

Guys, I'm not looking to start a debate on break in periods, if it's real, a myth, etc.

I have purchased a new Esoteric X-03 SE SACD player on 12/26/07 along with new Tara Labs The One (w/ISM) balanced interconnects. I let the player warm to room temperature as it was stone cold when I opened the box, evidence that it was either in an unheated warehouse or truck for a while-confirmed by my dealer. After a half a day, I hooked it up and the sound was incredibly poor. Very hard sounding, harsh mids and highs, narrow soundstage, no impact to bass, no definition. I am now on hour 674 and it's almost there. Soundstage opened up, detail is awesome, everything is, as I said almost there, but I still have a bit of a sting on female vocals. I have done an extensive amount of research and although Esoteric's website says break in should be 250 hours, I have found some information stating it would take 800 to 1,000 hours to sound excellent, with it still improving there after.

Again, I am not looking for responses disputing break in, that this is a fantasy and it must be some other culprit in my system (my dealer prchased the same player on the same day (same shippment) and he is experiencing the same).

I would love to hear about other members experience with equipment requiring a rather extensive break in period.

I appreciate your input.
128x128cerrot
cerrot's avatar
cerrot OP
1,700 posts
 
Gentlemen, as I said, I am not looking for a debate, but, rather, input from others who have experienced breaking in gear over long periods of time.

I would greatly appreciate those inputs.

Thank you.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I am not here to debate either Cerrot, I'm sure you heard what you heard. I wish you well in your search for affirmation.

Cheers,
John
carl109
134 posts
 
"After a half a day, I hooked it up and the sound was incredibly poor. Very hard sounding, harsh mids and highs, narrow soundstage, no impact to bass, no definition."

That's a pretty damning review of a piece of high-end gear, warmed up or not, and would make me wonder if your unit may have a fault. A few days break-in certainly helps, especially with mechanical devices (speakers, CD transports), but 1000 hours? That's 42 days straight running 24/7, and doesn't sound right to me.

I only have a fairly budget system (Denon DVD1920 source, NAD c320 amp and B&W 602's), but could never describe it's sound as harshly as you have yours; I'd be looking for some other reason than break-in as your problem.
argyro
438 posts
 
My emm labs cdsa is in 200 hours and keeps imporving. I think break in period only gives you an additional 10 to 20%. It won't make a bad sounding unit, sound good.
IMHO

Regards,

Michael

ACA.gr
mrjstark
1,112 posts
 
"I have found some information stating it would take 800 to 1,000 hours to sound excellent"

No offence, but it just doesn't sound logical.
I hope you do not believe this statement which is very hard to swallow to say the least.
Is there something in writing about this from the manufacture, and if there is - what does it say exactly .....and the explanation why???
I personally did experience a few components that benefited from the extra burn-in time....but never to that extreme.
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