2. cables
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Cable Settling???

Bought an amplifier from Reno Hi Fi,Pass Labs 350.5, that has spade only connectors for speakers and balanced and rca connectors for preamp. Purchased a new balanced cable also. Went thru an ugly break in period for about three weeks with about 50-60 hours of music being played. Its a frustrating time when you break in cables but perhaps changing connectors on my speaker wires to spades didn't help matters either. Was ready to throw in the towel but when I came home this weekend all had changed for the better. I only play music on the weekends as I am out of town during the rest of the week. Not sure what happened but I am sure that putting hours on the new cables was the reason for most of my improvement. Did lots of research during the break in period which I am sure will require another 100 or more hours but was most intrigued on reading about cable settling after being moved which is what I went thru, took speaker cables out to have spades put on for amp connections. Have never heard about cable settling before but would love to hear from others who have experienced this problem. Happy Holidays.
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almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
I am sure that putting hours on the new cables was the reason for most of my improvement ....
What makes you sure of that?

If it was a new amp, it could have been breaking in. If it was a used amp, its electrolytic capacitors might have been reforming, or it might have otherwise been recovering from a long period of sitting on a shelf.

If your speakers hadn't been in use for a significant amount of time while you were awaiting the amp, their drivers might have needed to loosen up. Or that might have been the case simply as a result of your intermittent (weekend only) usage, that effect perhaps having been less noticeable with your previous amp.

Also, your AC line voltage and/or noise conditions may have changed. RFI conditions may have changed. And are you sure that your room temperature did not change significantly, as winter approaches (temperature being a parameter that is fundamental to the physics of transistors and other semiconductors)?

If none of those possibilities are applicable, then Elizabeth's theory seems best to me :-)

Regards,
-- Al
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rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
How does one know when the equipment is finished breaking in? What keeps it from breaking in forever? Why don't owners manuals address this? Why am I even here, I could be somewhere doing something more important like breathing, aging or blinking my eyes.
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rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
"I waste my time here because i am retired and do not have any life outside of listening to music all day long.
I have my nice place, a great stereo system thousands of recordings, a good car, nice pets, decent food, places to go find used music Cd and LP.. and enough money coming in to be satisfied."

Well, your candor makes me feel better. I am in the same situation, except Amazon is my only source for music, and I do the gym everyday. Happy Listening.
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