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Burn-in and Equipmemt Value

A lot of people strongly believe that burn-in results in better sound quality and some will even pay more for cables that have the burn-in done by the manufacturer. If burn-in is real, then why isn't used equipment worth more than it is? At a minimum, shouldn't the demo equipment from a respected retailer be worth more when manufacturer warranties are still in play and the equipment is essentially new?

As a side question, why is it that any perceived change in a system where burn-in is credited it is assumed that the burn-in was on the newest piece of equipment? Some users report changes from burn-in hundreds and thousands of hours down the road.

I understand break-in on speakers and tube amplifiers, but struggle greatly with things like cables and digital sources.
mceljo
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mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,983 posts
 
Burn-in is free. It doesn't cost anything. Why would anyone pay more for something they can do for free?

If the "only" way to break-in a component was to pay to have it done, then maybe it's worth more, but it isn't.

Some buyers might even look at it as being more used and want to pay less for it...
mceljo OP
1,357 posts
 
Burn-in is free, bit does take time. A long burn-in takes some effort.

Speakers are mechanical with physical movement so it makes perfect sense that things can change with use. I am not sure how much of what I hear with my tube amp is just warm up vs. actual break-in, but it seems that something has changed. I don't believe that solid state really benefits from warm up or break-in and this goes for cables as well.

People pay for cable burn-in so it seems that those same people might pay more for a demo amplifier or speaker. The used market come with more risk of abuse so I can understand paying less.

Why is it that burn-in is generally assumed to always result in a positive change? Why can't speaker cables wear out?
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,218 posts
 
A cable can have oxidation/tarnishing issues and mechanical joints can weaken from repeated handling, but what exactly in a cable can wear out?
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"Why is it that burn-in is generally assumed to always result in a positive change?"

The designer will judge the finished, or pre production product, only after its broken in. So if you want to get best results, at least from the maker's perspective, you need to listen to a unit that is broken in because that's how they listen to gear during the design process.
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