phono stage break in?

KAB makes a RIAA pre-emphasis box that you can use with any line source. It provides a MM level (which you should also be able to use as an MC input carefully, use the highest possible loading)
FM interstation noise from a tuner with its "white" characteristic (equal, random power distribution across the band) should make for an extremely effective break in tool.
I use it. I am in no way affiliated with KAB

I agree with Nick! Why is it that I am seeing the importance of the pre-emphasis/de-emphasis feature as well as proper attenuation not to overload the phono preamp in using this devices plus a wider selection of source that can be use instead of a cd? Maybe because it mimicks a real TT cartridge signal? Maybe.....

Why can't you just record some broadband noise, reduce the level by some arbitrary amount, say 60dB, burn a CD of the now low level noise and then plug your phono preamp into the CD player. I've not tried this, but it should work.

As near as I can tell, both the CDs and circuit boards do the job and cost about the same. In my case, it's not costing me anything.

Ofcourse, one could always keep the money and just play records for a month or so. The phono stage is going to break in one way or the other.

This one is not a rebutal by any way, just a question:
Well...what about NOT using anything and just keeping the phono preamp on for a while. Does someone have any evidence that this by any means yields inferior results than buying a $20 CD ?

Noams, it's not about just leaving the equipment on, it's about running a signal thru it (and the interconnects too).

Phono preamps/stages include a Recording Institute of America (RIAA) de-emphasis section (a little like Dolby noise reduction.) So any "break-in" signal has to be "pre-emphasized" just like the signal on an LP. That's the reason for the "special" phono break-in CD, or the Hagermann device with the "reverse" RIAA circuit.