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Burn in vs perception

Posting here in speakers, but could probably go in any of the forums. Question of the night: how much of burn in of components is actually burn in of our perception? That is, is burn in partly us becoming accustomed to a change in sound.
 

I’m listening to my SF Amati Traditions that at first I found a bit strident, but I now find lush, dynamic, and generally brilliant. I bought them as 1-year old demos so theoretically they should have been played enough to be broken in. I haven’t changed anything in my system—I have been working on my room with more stuff, but that’s it.

Sometimes reviewers or arm chair audiophiles (me) will state that said component needs to be plugged in and left alone for weeks until it gels with the system. Could this simply be our own perception burn in OR is something real happening here?

For speakers I can buy it (woofers need to loosen up and all), but I almost always buy used, and I almost alway a) find a difference of a new component (good or bad), and b) in time, I couldn’t tell you what the change was. Maybe just me, but our brains are pretty good level setters.

I willing to bet this can be a large part of “burn in”.

 

 

w123ale
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,797 posts
 

I have long believed it is your ears acclimating to the new sound.   In the case of speaker surrounds I believe that is valid but it is a short break in.   Is it even enough of a change to perceive?    Not sure about that. 

Example,   I just picked up an integrated amp.    I set it up in my main listening room.    First with my Forte and then with my Sonus Faber Concerto.   

The Forte sounded really good.  I switched to the Concerto.    Completely different presentation,   but it sounded good.   Thin compared to the Forte.    It took a while for my ears to accept the new sounds they were hearing.   Better ?  Worse?    No....just different 

avanti1960
1,472 posts
 

A topic hotter than a cables and cones thread.  

If you haven't heard distinct changes in the sound of audio hardware from new to maturity you haven't purchased enough new hardware.  

bolong
599 posts
 

I postulate, however fatuously, that "noise" in audio systems can be akin to "noise" in wetware, and that an audio system in all its total parts talks back and forth to itself until an improved unity and flow is achieved... or not.

People Who Affect Electronics

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,797 posts
 

I honestly just put FM on or hit repeat for a while and consider it good to go.   I'm sitting here listening to a pair of well broken in Sonus Faber with my new Cyrus i7XR. Amp.     

Sure it sounds better than day 1.  I'm using a pair of speakers  better suited than when I unboxed it.   Speakers are more or less in the proper position now .... and my ears have grown more accustomed to the change in sound.  I really don't think the amp changed ...  it was clear and detailed right out of the box 

w123ale OP
108 posts
 

Okay, well, I am experiencing burn in / settling in a speaker cable. Cardas Cygnus long run, 6m. Replaced Wireworld Equinox. Mc to SF speakers.
 

When I first installed the cable, I was so excited to hear my improved system. It sounded awful (closed, dull, grainy treble), and I wanted to send the cables back, but that wasn’t even an option because they were a custom length. I was assured by Cardas to give it time 200-300 hours. I was skeptical. 
 

Well, I’m probably at 100-150 hrs now, and the system is sounding pretty extraordinary (great sound stage, smooth treble, dynamic). So have I just gotten used to the change—perhaps, but I’m pretty sensitive to any change in my system, and it sounds very good now. And getting noticeably better each day. I’ve read that cables need a settling period to charge the dialects surrounding the copper, so maybe there is a real reason for this, or maybe it is my changed perspective, but I don’t thinks so. Perhaps, with this cable settling in, I’m for the first time understanding what good PRaT is. 

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