Hey, why do WE have to break-in cables???

I think it's best to break-in ICs in the system. And as most people seem to agree, if you remove them from your system for any length of time, or change their orientation, you'll have to break them in again anyway. I think maybe PCs can be broken in before sale, I'm not positive on that one.

Components, SS and especially tube, should be broken in by the manufacturer, I agree. It would not only improve sonics out of the box, but quality control/reliability as well. It will add to the price, so it can't be provided for modestly priced components.

I agree wholeheartedly. If I have to run my system for a month solid everytime I get a new component, I'm going to wear a lot of stuff out (especially tubes, cd drive mechanisms).
I also agree w/ Nrchy, as I've noticed that if I don't play my system for a while, it takes some time to sound good again. But not a very long time - just a couple hours.
It may have to do with marketing. If you get a 30 day home trial of something that takes 800 hours of breakin-you won't get there til 3 days too late, even if you keep them running 24/7. Also, they want you to get used to listening to the product. I wonder if much of the break-in process is US breaking in to accept the new sound as valid.

Hi Rja.

This topic has been discussed before. Do a search. Meantime, we've posted a bit before on this topic. Here are the Links. Hope it helps.

BURN-IN vs. BREAK-IN and HERE

Cheers!

Robert
RSAD

Nrchy,
You have a valid point. But still, 80-100 hours of break-in by the manufacturer would go a long way toward making life easier for the consumer. I feel that more companies should offer this service, especially the high buck guys.

Getting them raw ,is cool. I like to go through all the phases of hi-fi. It is after all a hobby. Plug and play is not the same. Babies without the crawl or the teething,the first walk or laugh.

especially at mega $$$$$