Cable "burning": Real or VooDoo ???

I have noticed nothing but improvements as a cable breaks in. Becoming smoother, less bright, more extended at both frequency extremes. I don't have a fancy apparatus for cable break-in. For speaker cables, I simply run them hard. Usually for two to three weeks. At least a few hours a day. For interconnects, I learned a nice little method here on Audiogon(thanks to whoever suggested it, apologies for not remembering their name). I insert the cable between my tuner and integrated amp(preamp for those who have one). I keep the tuner on(which I always do anyway). The amp is off, but the tuner is selected. I have found that this actually works!

i just bought 2 pair of nordost valhalla interconnects and the nordost CBID 1 (cable burn-in device). after 6 days on the device the difference was astounding. i had demoed some cables broken in on the device by the dealer and was very impressed by the cables so i purchased some. but i had no way to asses the effect of the CBID 1. when i first got the new cables i plugged them in and was underwellemed. the effect of 6 days of break-in on the device was like a clearing a clogged pipe. i have always found breakin of anything effective; but this takes it to a new level. i had also pugged my speaker cables (transparent opus mm) to the CBID 1 so the effect was communelative for the whole system.

If you shorted one end of the cable and made an adapter that put a 10K resistor in series with the other end you could just plug the cable into an AC outlet.

But, keep in mind, guys, that all electrons in the universe are EXACTLY alike. And, electric current does not change metal. You can run current thru copper for a billion years it will not change it. There just isn't anything in the copper to change.

The psychoacoustic effect of almost always hearing a difference is very real. Cable conditioners are proof of this.

If the sound of the cable changes over time, why does it always get better? It seems to me that at least some of the time, the sound would get worse. I believe it is because you adapt to the sound of the cable. If I spent big bucks on a cable, I would work hard to convince myself that it was starting to sound better, not worse. My vote is for voodoo.

Looks like the same old argumentitive attitude is prevailing on this thread regarding those who dismiss perceived changes in components and suchlike. Maybe stevemj would like to further substantiate his remark that all electrons are alike as I am sure he must have a through understanding and grasp of quantum mechanics and how this subject details the random versus orderly nature of sub-atomic particles and their physical attributes. Can he explain this subject to all us simple audio enthusiasts who have decided they just like to listen and enjoy their music via components selected through their own free choice (whilst also taking advice from all sides who have meaningful contributions to make). Apologies if this post appears agressive but I would just like to see this forum provide meaningful and helpful ways of allowing us all to enjoy and further our knowledge of this hobby without replies to posts degenerating into a "p**ing" match at every opportunity. Regards, Richard.