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What Exactly Does "Burn In" do for Electronics?

I understand the break in of an internal combustion engine and such, but was wondering what exactly "burn in" of electrical equipment benefits musicality, especially with solid state equipment? Tubes (valves) I can see where they work better with age, to a point, but not quite sure why usage would improve cables, for instance. Thanks in advance for your insight.
dfontalbert
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
ZD, thanks for the thorough response. I will say that when it comes to reports of phenomena that are difficult or impossible to explain, I would have a good deal more confidence in yours than in those of many others, who often seem to not consider the possibility that the perceived change may be caused by something other than what is being assessed.

George, thanks as well for the inputs in your two posts. All I can say is "wow," to both of them.

Best regards,
-- Al
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onhwy61
5,270 posts
 
I tend to agree with Jaxwired. Humans are extremely fallible regarding subtle sensory perceptions and despite what some people allege, high end audio is about subtle differences. This doesn't mean cable break-in doesn't occur, but that we should take these observations with a grain of salt.
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
Al, Zd... and George ... I realize that the more recent posts are speaking to burn in of cables and power cords.

What are your views about electronic gear? FWIW, ARC maintains that its gear requires a considerable amount of break-in.

I'm not sure what is happening inside the box, but there must be something to it ... at least with respect to electronic gear. Maybe the caps are settling in?

There must be a lot of material science going on here that is way over my head. As far as cables and power cords are concerned, is it possible that running current through the cables and cords in some ways affects the metallic crystalline structure?? That is a serious question?

Btw, maybe not so crazy. I understand that low temp cryo "cooking" of metallic parts like gun barrels, engine parts and so forth changes the crystalline structure. The result is stronger and longer lasting parts, so the cryo proponents maintain.
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georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

06-18-14: Bifwynne

Btw, maybe not so crazy. I understand that low temp cryo "cooking" of metallic parts like gun barrels, engine parts and so forth changes the crystalline structure. The result is stronger and longer lasting parts, so the cryo proponents maintain.

I think cryo'ing has been overdone in audio, it's fine to do material of one substance like a gun barrel.
But when people start doing tubes, this is just not on.
As the rates of expansion and contraction of unlike materials like metal tube pins that are an air tight seal with the plastic base and the glass that is a seal with it, just think of what happens to the vacuum in the tube when this is cryo'ed.
Then lead solder on plated metal interconnects with silver or copper wire three different materials all contracting at different rates, solder is bound to get cracks in it.

Cheers George
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geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
George, I can certainly understand your concern and your analysis seems like it might hold water. The problem with your analysis is that in reality tubes are cryo'd everyday in cryo labs around the country without experiencing any problems.
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