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
Whenever i hear about a degree in X, Y, or Z in engineering or science…i wonder what they have contributed lately to understanding paired photons, the existence of a singularity in a rotating black hole, or even error correction in a quantum computer….. and…it’s crickets…. There are plenty of things we don’t yet fully understand….maybe copper wire…. which is never 100% copper….might….just…. be….one of them….. |
@ozzy I have had Pegasus and up in my reference system for a long evaluation…. game changer level cables…. expensive but for many worth consideration imo |
tomic601, Yes, there are many things that can’t be explained by our normal methods. Science and Math try very hard to express with absolutes. And, we do need a foundation to start with. Heck, I’m still trying to figure out what if anything is beyond the Universe. If nothing, then are we in a box? And/or Infinity, it is just something I can’t comprehend. So, I guess I better keep the subject on cables... ozzy |
It's not just a degree, or two, or a PhD or 20+ years of research after the PhD in a single field, they still don't know, and some we will never know, thankfully, but humanity will keep plugging along. I saw a good show once about ten years ago about a humble guy, about science, and those who attempt to pretend to "know it" ; (I tried to look up his name but there are a few with the same credentials, apologies) This aspring university student got a biology degree, decided he always loved honey bees, so dedicated his masters to honey bees, researched honey bees some more and submitted his dissertation on honey bees to earn his PhD. He researched honey bees again 50 hours a week for another 30 years, outside of unfortunately having to teach some lectures to be employed by the university. On the weekends for fun he researched honey bees. After retiring he started to focus on his great love and hobby- researching honey bees. Another 10 years later I believe he did some speeches on honey bees (for fun) and one of the questions was "you are one of the world's experts on honey bees, and have been for decades, how much more is there to possibly learn about honey bees?" He said "I have dedicated over 50 years of my life to honey bees, and I probably only know 1% of what there is to know about honey bees." |
mclinnguy, You are right on! We should not poo-hoo something we have never tried. There is so much to learn! I think that is why AudioQuest keeps upgrading their cables. They have been in the forefront of cable development for many decades now, and I am sure they have tested and learned so much. But the process and reinventions will continue. Maybe someday there will be a means to measure a cables sonic quality...and break in? Even today as I listen to music, I am still impressed by the deep and lively soundstage, thanks in part to my cabling. And, you must have the equipment and ears to appreciate cables significance and the burn in process. ozzy |
