cable burn-in / system burn-in

My computer was down for some time. I just got to read all the comments and respond.
I guess what I was referring to would be described as (settling in). I do not know, scientifically, what is going on. I only know that after several days of being hooked up, and playing, there is quit a quality improvement in the music. It is very difficult to discribe, or even discern, all of what is changing to make it sound better. But it is the equipment, and not my ears/brain or other human conditioning that is changing.
Thanks for all the info, it is very interesting.

This is one of the best threads I've read regarding cable break-in/settle-in. Many threads about this subject have been started and in my opinion have gone down the drain usually with the battle of the believers against the naysayers. I'm a believer of the break-in/settle-in of cables because my ears hear the differences. I was one of those who bought an expensive new set of interconnects several years ago( before I understood this burn-in process) and unfortunately sold it prematurely because it didn't sound "right" to my ears. After reading awhile so many posts that cable break-in is real, I bought that same set of interconnects, and this time allowed the 150 hours or so that was required for the break-in and this time I actually heard the changes( roller-coaster ride) until one day the overall sound just opened up and beautiful music was brought forth. But on the other hand, I have allowed more than enough time on some cables, be it speaker cables, interconnects, and power cords, and some cables just didn't gel with my system, anywhere I tried them. I did re-sell those, but at least I knew that I gave them a fair listen by allowing enough time for the break-in process. Patience is a virtue when auditioning especially new and used, as well, cables. I wonder sometimes when I peruse the ads for used cables, "Did that seller really keep these cables long enough to really hear their potential?" Only because it happened to me.

Sherod, I like your style. Thanks for the post. Your experience of the effects of break in mirrors mine and I'm sure many others here.

Thanks, Foster 9. I also agree with you regarding the "bass pressurization" of the room. This is definitely one of the key ingredients to hear/feel when the cables are reaching the optimization of break-in/settle-in.

A couple of hundred hours for most cables should do it with a short warm up/settling period after each off/on cycle or re-connection of said cables:O)