Burn-in Device vs Burn-in CD


Ok, I have to admit it...I am not into the Voodoo but I witnessed wire burn-in before my own ears. I tried some magnet wire per DeKay's suggestion and I noticed how the soundtage and sound changed in a matter of 15-20 minutes!

Sean correctly described to me the way my cables are sounding in my system. It is his opinion that I will get the most improvement in my system by changing the tubes in my preamp (they are matched RAMs) and the speaker cables (CAT5) and interconnects (Phoenix gold) plus proper burn-in. I have to admit he is right on target...

Now, would it be better to use (or make) a device like the Mobie or a Burn-in CD?
psychicanimal
A burn in CD will not do anything for you that playing music wouldn't do. The system and cables would be subjected to "normal" duty and go about things normally. It is the higher voltage level that a "burner" produces that helps "cure" the cabling.

Wanna try something simple ? Rig up adapters to use interconnects for speaker cables. CRANK some tunes for a few days and listen to the difference when they go back into the system. While not as effective as a "good" burner, it will get you part of the way there.

If you have access to a SQUARE WAVE generator, connect your interconnects to it. Set the output frequency to 100 Hz and adjust the voltage level for as high as it will go. Terminate the far end of each interconnects with a 10,000 ohm resistor and you're done. Let it "cook" for as long as you can and then hook the cables back up to the system. If you must coil the cables to transport them, do it as loosely as possible. Use wide loops and try to flex the cables as little as possible.

Speaker cables can be done using your wall outlet and a high wattage bulb i.e. 150 - 250 watt flood lamp. This requires careful connections and some way to dissipate the heat from the lamp. The lamp can not be focused on anything that is flammable. The same goes for this in terms of "burn in time". The longer the better. If your cables have ANY type of knicks in the insulation or have EXTREMELY thin insulation between stranding, i would not do this. Obviously, air insulated bare wires would be a BIG no-no.

Here is the following disclaimer for anyone that would want to try the above. I don't recommend burning in anything that uses network boxes, impedance compensation, etc... Anything that you do is at your own risk. If you don't feel safe trying to make electrical connections, DON'T DO IT !!!! If you question the electrical integrity of your cabling, DON'T DO IT !!!! If you want to blame me for your mistakes, DON'T DO IT !!! I am not responsible for what you do. However, i will say that i would not post information that i myself would not or have not done. Take it from there.... Sean
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Well Sean, you offered to burn in some interconnects for me so I could find out the difference in sound...

I have plenty of free time these days.

I'd eventually want such a device so that I can burn in my tonearm wiring and anything else I decide to rig.

Thanks.
Francisco just get the Mobie from Bes at Music Direct. I dropped Sean's name when I ordered mine & he gave me a decent discount - not that they're expensive anyway. 20 minutes to hear breakin changes on interconnects: a new world's record? I once had two ic pairs that took 30 days to stabilize (on a continuous music signal) but reportedly for best results you should Mobie for 30 days anyway.
Hey thanks for the KAB site referral: some nice stuff there.