Your opinion on burn in

I have noticed that my system consistantly sounds better after 2 1/2 days of being left on. Sometimes I shut my preamp down at nights because it gets too damn hot. This doesn't seem to affect sound, but complete shut down definitely changes things for the worse. As to improved sound after 20 minutes or so, I would guess that it is your ears "warming up". Just like eyesight, ears can focus on sound, and it gets sharper with attention and effort. Also if you start at a lower to mid volume, and
raise the volume slowly, your ears adjust. If you start out too loud, it tends to "blow your ears out", affecting your ability to hear details.

I don't disagree with those who feel that it takes the "listener" awhile to adjust to "listening". I especially notice this phenomenon when going from one type of music to another, eg from smooth jazz (Diana Krall ballads)to serious rock eg, ZZ Top.

But I also notice it at the start of a listening session, and to tell the truth, I don't know if it's me adjusting, or the equipment warming up? Cheers. Craig

I walk around all the time wearing earmuffs to keep my ears at optimum listening temperature. I ONLY remove them to listen (and to shower).

Also, I only use a Holy Water based fluid in my VPI HW-17F.

I've spent more money on power cords than on the entire rest of my system and music collection combined.

Hello, my name is Grayson, and I am an audiophile.

Welcome, Grayson.

Gthrush1: Adding to that I clean my ears before each session with Aural DeWax fluid (available from them at $100/oz).