Are You A Disciplined Audiophile?


The issue of whether break-in is real aside for now, when you make a change in your system, such as a new component or cable, do you have the discipline to wait before making any other changes?  I usually mark my calendar for a month and perhaps 2 months and try to change nothing else for that period of time so I can better assess exactly what the new thing is doing. But sometimes it’s difficult to wait. IMO, break in is a real thing, both in the component and the listener, but even if you don’t believe components and cables change after a few days, can you wait at least a month to listen to enough music to adjust your ears to what the new thing brings to the system on its own?  

chayro

In my listening experience, component break-in is a real thing.   I sent my Krell K300i back to the factory for service and upon return it sounded like crap.   Tight, recessed midrange, no bass slam, rolled off/squeeky highs.   Yuk.   I just let it play at low volume for 3 days while we were out.   Came back and my old Krell sound was back.   Beautiful.

 

I had exactly the same experience with my NAD M33, Tubadour IIISE, Innuos Zen Mini Mk3, etc.   all have benefitted significantly from a short break-in. 
 

So, to the OP’s original question….  I try to wait and only change one thing at a time, but sometimes, I’m impatient.   It happens and I’m OK with that.

I feel sorry for that one guy who hates "broken in" gear...he has to replace the whole system every couple of weeks. I use a Dennis Had SEP amp for which I have a pile of tubes to swap in and out whenever I feel like it, which I find entertaining. I alternate that amp with a Pass XA-25 and both amps sound astonishingly good and have really interesting differences so, yeah, I have too much free time.

I built my system. I built my room to the system. Now, I will try some new cables once in a while. Mostly I listen to glorious music as often as possible. Disciplined; I guess.

No, I'm not disciplined nor in need of any....even from the leathered blonde in harness that beckons me to 'improve' on this series of spaces.....

"Break theses spaces...in....." she coos.....knowing that broken is past tense to us both.....

No limits nor budget.....just ghastly Space.....

There exists spaces that budget and hardware can't cure....

As for break-in.....leave it to the speakers, carts....perhaps the caps, Maybe the new tape heads.....electronics?  Only tubes.....need comply..... ;)

"Tube-rolling" = Phile chewing gum.....*L*

*Disclaimer*  Only teasing for the f'n fun of it..... ;)