Cable Break In for the Naysayers

it’s a bit disturbing that, even today, there are self-identified audiophiles who ridicule those who hear differences between cables. This issue, frankly, was settled long ago.

In fact, there was a study published in MIT’s Electronic Music Journal back in, I think, the 1980s or 1990s, that documented cable-comparison testing with a double-blind methodology. I remember scanning that piece & probably could dig it up today if I had to.

The study found that that some participants could easily distinguish among cables, but others had trouble. One anonymous tester (identified only by initials "JA" (!) ) scored 100% on all tests. Better than five-zero confidence, right?

In my case, two of the three most dramatic changes to my system in the last 20 years were due to major cable upgrades -- once interconnects, once power cables. These were "quantifiable" differences to the extent that, with the old cables, I could point to the specific locations of clearly defined images around the room. After swapping in the new cables, the soundstage broadened so significantly that the images in the same recordings moved to new locations. This was repeatable and not a subtle effect. Other cable upgrades in my system, however, produced no effect that I could hear, at least before break-in.

In all these examples, the point is that not hearing a difference isn’t conclusive evidence either way of the fact that cables can matter (there could easily -- even likely -- be weaker links in the audio chain), but hearing a difference does.

My personal opinion, and again this is based mostly on "mere" personal experience, is that those who still cling to the "cables don’t matter" faith-based belief are either sufferring from confirmation error or drawing unwarranted conclusions from ad hoc comparisons.

My 2c.

@tooblue my power cords changed drastically after i switched from burned in demo cords to the brand new cords I purchased (same models).  I think getting used to a particular sound is part of it too, but not in this particular case.

I can partially agree with the people who aren’t into measurements. My agreement is that we don’t always know what a good measurement should look like. But here’s what I firmly believe. If an audible change has happened, that change will be measurable. All it takes is some effort. We don’t have god-like hearing. Test equipment is orders of magnitude more sensitive to subtle changes in the signal. No change that we can hear is going to get past the equipment. If an audible change has occurred because of cable burn-in, that will be easily measurable by a competent person with decent equipment. 

I recently tested a group of integrated amplifiers and thought I was hearing differences. I took out the calibrated mic. and compared the speaker measurements with the different amps hooked up. The frequency response showed very clear and repeatable differences depending on which amp was hooked up. I'm not all that competent, nor is my measuring equipment anything special, and yet even I could demonstrate measurable differences in the response of my speakers with different integrated amps installed. If I heard differences between cables, I'm sure I could measure that too.

I don’t agree. I do not believe equipment exists (yet) to measure the burn in/breakin of cables. But if you had the audio equipment and ears you would be a believer.

I remember feeling the same way as you do now many years ago about power cords. I felt how can a power cord change the musical sound quality? I was sure they would test the same. Wire is wire...right?

But a dealer gave me a Synergetic Research Master Coupler to take home and try. When I first connected it up, I was convinced as you are now that it could not possibly make a difference. Then I cued up the first song and ... huh? How can this be? More bass, bigger soundstage??? Just from changing a power cord that is supposed to be the same gauge? Can’t be...

From that day on I was convinced that we really don’t know as much as we think we know when it comes to sound quality, equipment, and yes cables. Measurements can only test OHMs Law.

ozzy

Those who claim absolutes seem rather narrow minded and ignore real science as it actually has shown us many things and will continue to do so. As as touched upon by another poster all there is is a lot of energy and maybe just a tiny bit of mass in the universe. Look into it, amazing way to spend your time instead of nay saying something you may not be open minded enough to comprehend.

My personal "belief" as in all things I am aware of are subject to change as I learn more each day I live. I do not know anything, only believe somethings, glad to adapt as I experience a new perspective.

Do cables burn in? I believe it is quite likely just based on actual science(I read a great deal and watch incredible videos of highly regarded scientists, doctors, engineers, etc...)

Is there  bit of snake oil involved in some of this? I am quite sure there is but I am not going to try to prove or disprove it. I will just enjoy the level I choose to participate in having some fun, DIY and lower cost, building cables, speakers, etc....I enjoy the bobby and the music, probably hobby more but it is only one of many I have.

If I were to recommend anything it would be to give up on trying to change someones mind either way, not likely going to happen so the time used up is basically just pissing in the wind, surely there are better things to do.

Beware, having an open mind can be a disturbing experience, science, politics, actual history, religion and more are not often close to what most believes as fact.

Rick