REGA APOLLO

Just a quick note....these things make GREAT transports!
All of the REGA cd players. I don't know if I would splurge
on a Saturn just as a transport.........but the Apollo
and all of their older cd players are the best transport with a DAC I have used.

The feedback is appreciated very much. Any comments on the break in part of my question?

I bought mine new from dealer....stone cold out of box was the normal let down, but I've been down this road before. What I did was hook it up to a low power, cool running integrated amp for a 2 week period and put the Apollo on repeat with a Sheffield burn-in CD. Reversed speaker polarity and faced them at each other to somewhat cancel out the sound. After 2 weeks it went back to the main system for a listen.........great improvements heard. 300+ hours run in 2 weeks made a significant change for my ears.

To answer your question about break in, while it is good sounding right out of the box, I found that after 50 or so hours a new Apollo really starts to sing. After that, mine kept getting better in subtle ways for some weeks.

I agree about the 50 hours of play. After that I think you just enjoy it better. I like the burn in CD's, setting your FM tuner to pink noise and I play something like the 2007 Grammys CD that has a variety and dynamic music. My personal method of breaking in any units is to turn them off/ cool down 100% and then on again. I run them for 8 to 10 hours in a given day. No reason to know if this is better.

There are 2 power conditioner products that I think do help your system that are worth the money. Not excluding a dedicated (or 2) circuit for your audio. I have used the Richard Gray and ordered a new Furman that has more outlets. If you have not tried this. Try it. It will make your Apollo and system sound better.