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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
 
Gawdbless,

Not a contradiction at all. I do no want any component of my system to add any coloration, or subtract any recorded info, from the music I listen to. Pretty simple. It means I want a neutral system. Add nothing - subtract nothing. Just a clear window to the music. I know it is impossible but that is my ambition, and that is what I strive for.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Gawdbless, first of all, I am not a fan of the digital medium. Vinyl is my heaven. However, as far as digital goes, I'd rather have a player of omission than commission. Therefore, the Esoteric's are not for me, as no player is for everyone. I'd rather be able to listen to that poor recording without grinding my teeth, than worry about hearing footsteps or breathing or some other stuff on a cd that I've never heard before. Music is more important to me than quality of recordings. That being said, if hearing deep into a recording means that much, look for the SACD version. That's my $0.02

Cheers,
John
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,235 posts
 
John- Exactly, the music Is the most Important thing, I listen to (virtually) every genre, a lot Is not deemed to be true 'audiophile' quality recordings, does It matter to me they are not? Nope. I just wanna listen to music however It was mixed onto cd. I do not buy SACD's because It Is only the most popular (or seems to me) titles and groups etc that are available In that format, anyway I am more than happy with the standard and only versions, coz thats all I am able to get, with 99.9% of the cd's I buy.
I am still of the opinion that Its not the fault of the cd but the fault of the system that can't make everything sound as musical and as pleasing as possible to hear.
I used to love vinyl, but prefer the convenience of cd's these days. Is It still a more mellow sound that cd?, It used to be to my ears, If my memory serves me.

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I used to love vinyl, but prefer the convenience of cd's these days. Is It still a more mellow sound that cd?, It used to be to my ears, If my memory serves me.

Gawdbless


Not even close, IMHO. I've tried many different digital players, single box and seperate, up to $20K....vinyl beats them all easily. I do agree that I do still listen to digital for convenience sake, but when listening for music's sake, vinyl wins hands down. YMMV.

Cheers,
John
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,235 posts
 
Hi John-
Not listened to vinyl personally since about 5 years ago, when I gave away my Linn LP12 (purchased new @1977) to my grateful brother, and still going strong! I was Impressed (very) with the turntable TW Acoustics? at the Denver show last year and the year before that also In the Aspara Acoustics room. When he played cd's It was easy to hear the superiority sound of the Turntable.
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