2. cables
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Cable Break In for the Naysayers

I still cannot believe that in this stage of Audio history there are still many who claim cable break in is imagined. They even go so far as claim it is our ears that break in to the new sound. Providing many studies in the way of scientific testing. Sigh...

I noticed such a recent discussion on the What’s Best Forum. So here is my response.

______________________________________________________________________________________________ I just experienced cable break in again firsthand. 10 Days ago, I bought a new set of the AudioQuest Thunderbird XLR 2M interconnects.

First impression, they sounded good, but then after about 30 hours of usage the music started sounding very closed in and with limited high frequencies. This continued until about 130 hours of music play time.

Then at this time, the cables started to open up and began to sound better and better each passing hour. I knew at the beginning they would come around because they sounded ok at first until the break in process started. But now they have way surpassed that original sound.

Now the soundstage has become huge with fantastic frequency extensions. Very pleased with the results. Scientifically I guess we can’t prove cable break in is real, but with good equipment, good ears, it is clearly a real event.

ozzy

128x128ozzy
tunehead's avatar
tunehead
161 posts
 

So well said @puptent 

 

larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,008 posts
 

OZZY,,

 

Describe your system.  I upgraded my cables and I think I heard an improvement.  I was also amazed by how much a power cable made.  There are so many knowledgeable people in this group!

hsounds
153 posts
 

Nordost has a plug in board that can burn in cables. It is so easy to prove. Take a listen to a new cable and then swap them out for the burned in pair. If you feel some thing is off or biased take two Blue Sound Nodes plugged into the same preamp playing I. The same group. It definitely makes a difference. If it doesn’t. Maybe you are better off because your system is not that sensitive or detailed. You can even swap cables between the two BlueSound Nodes and see if you get the same results that the one pair is better. The crystals can change I. The metal when heat or current is applied. I’m not a fan of the measurements crew. I believe there is an imperfection to perfection. Meaning, you need a little $&?! In your system to believe it sounds real. That being said it is up to the listener. I have helped so many friends with dialing in their system. Regardless of the equipment they all preferred a little imperfection. Cable burn in is a real occurrence. Wheather it can be measured or not. Darren from PS Audio developed a phono stage by how it measured. It didn’t work. He then modified it by listening. It is a very, very popular phono stage. Now if someone could create an algorithm from measuring that can produce something that is perfect to humans. One of you out their has to be into AI. Please get on this. 

jonwolfpell
386 posts
 

For a specific example of the inconsistency of measurements vs perceived sound, consider Benchmark amps, preamps & DACS. From all the reviews I’ve seen, they measure as good as if not better than just about anything at any price but don’t sound as musical, natural & pleasing as much else available.  

tablejockey
3,890 posts
 

The only ABSOLUTE in cable "break in" threads-

Never concensus that "break in" is fact.

Cable "break in" does seem more plausible than

"directional cable?"

 

 

 

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