Cambridge 840c burn in


So, I got a new 840C a few weeks ago and I’m kind of surprised by how dramatically the sound has changed. When I was demoing it in the store it was a box fresh unit and very bright sounding, but compared to the other players I was comparing it to it had much better bass and general clarity. I’d read here on A-gon that the burn-in would yield significant results so I took a chance and bought it. My initial thought at home was that I’d made a huge mistake – it was almost unlistenable bright. But I ran it 24/7 for almost two weeks and every day it got a bit better. Then, just yesterday, now at about 350 hours or so, all the residual high-end glare disappeared. It sounds great.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what is actually happening within the machine that is ‘breaking in’? It seems counterintuitive with a bunch of wires and caps, but it is a real phenomenon in this machine. I guess any other player too for that matter. I’m just curious.

I’m enjoying the player immensely by the way. It’s a huge improvement over my Jolida JD100, which is now doing duty in the upstairs system.
grimace
I did not notice bright sounding when I first played it at home. After 2 months with about 60 hours, I still don't see any improvement compare when it was brand new. Maybe I don't notice, although it sounds great.
What's breaking in?

Everything. Caps, wires, tranformers, drive motor, laser, chips, etc.

Seems a shame one has to put a years worth of playback time on a CDP to get it to sound as best it can.

Merely replacing the sled/drive, both lasers RB & SACD, on my Sony xa 777 es, it took over 200 hours for it sound good. That part amazed me. Nothing else was replaced. Still it took a good long while, though I didn't run mine 24/7... but in spurts. Varying the length of duty each day, up and down. Hardly ran the SACD at all.

Then I went all pc HDD and sold it.

Glad you like your 840.
The 840 is great, but then I throw on a vinyl record and it sounds so nice.... It's enough to make you looney!
I switch over/back to mynyl and I'll have 12 inch black coasters laying all over soon there after.

What's breaking in?
Everything. Caps, wires, tranformers, drive motor, laser, chips, etc.

...

Then I went all pc HDD and sold it.

Speaking of which, will computer gear need breaking in as well? HDD motor? power supply? keyboard and mouse?