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Break in of Link DAC III

I purchased a link DAC III with half nelson upgrade a couple of weeks ago. I'm not overly impressed with it so far. While it is an improvement on my Rotel RCD 971, it's not night and day like I had heard in the audio store. I understand that break-in is required, but just how long are we talking here? So far, i have about 50 hours on it. Will there be a significant improvement in overall sound?

Associated equipment:
Rotel rcd971
Nakamichi AV10 top of line surround receiver (I suspect this is part of the problem)
NHT 2.5i speakers
KimberKable DV90 (i think that's it - silver coax cable)
audioquest type 4 speaker cable.

I'm starting to think that I got scammed into paying for a half Nelson upgrade that was never done. In other words, i'm worried that I just have the base model WITHOUT the upgrade, but that I paid for the upgrade (i'm not that trusting of the dealer - he seems like a scammer).

Main questions that need answering are:

1. Is break-in a significant improvement in sound quality? and if so, then how long does it take (and will it be a 'sudden improvement' or just gradual)?

2. How can I check to see if I ACTUALLY got the half Nelson upgrade?

any help for my worried mind would be appreciated...

Steve
loose
loose OP
239 posts
 
Well, according to the retail store and the distributor, the distributor has been given authority to do the upgrades. When I questioned MSB on this matter, the gentleman with whom I spoke was not certain as to whether or not the Canadian distributors was authorized. He DID state, however, that if they were in fact authorized, they would have to follow the specs that MSB puts forth and by no means make their own 'improved mods' while calling it a half nelson upgrade.

I will be hearing back from MSB shortly with the info as to whether or not the Canadian distributor is authorized. I will post my findings shortly.

Stephen
lonewolfny42
31 posts
 
Hey, lets name names! Who's the creep,so others don't get ripped off!!!!!!
socrates
247 posts
 
Having owned a Link Dac II, III and a Half-Nelson w/upsamling I assure you that you should hear a dramatic improvement with the .5-Nelson: More body, weight bloom, better placement of instruments in the 3D soundscape, same esquisite detail but a touch smoother, more natural extension top to bottom and much better bass articulation over the lesser models and over your CDP. Don't give up on the Nelson, just your dealer! Good luck.
infinity_audio
186 posts
 
Get into a habit of opening the hood of your gear before listening haha... I am playful, I do so to all my gears...
loose OP
239 posts
 
Hello again...

As an update, I still have not found out whether or not the distributor is, in fact, authorized to do the upgrades. I will not found out until about mid-January or so (after the show in Las Vegas), as the owner of MSB is in attendance.

I will say, however, that although the distributor was quite rude to me on the telephone and questioned my intelligence and knowledge, he agreed (through the retailer, who was also VERY surprised with the supposed 'Half Nelson Mods') to upgrade a new unit to spec - making sure to use all the proper components.

I am patiently awaiting the new unit and in the meantime I was told that I could keep and use the existing dac. I have decided, however, NOT to use the dac at all. Heaven forbid that a problem arises with the unit and I am held responsible.

Stephen
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