I hope break in is true

I think digital products need break-in the most
If your first impression of the pre was negative, any ensuing break-in will probably be minimal and I'd recommend trusting your ears. that first impression was the most 'objective' evaluation you're going to get.

get rid of it (and get a tube pre...)

It's going to get better.

If your buying new, the safest way is to make it clear with the dealer, you would like to try the piece at home on evaluation, with intent to buy providing you are head over heeels with it, most dealers will work with you, and there are even some wonderful dealer's that will do the same with used equipment, one is www.Audioclassics.com they are a great company!!!! Good Luck

I'm sure others must have tried this simple test to confirm the phenomenon of "break in."

I had two identical pieces of equipment (Counterpoint SA220/NP220). As you may know, these are complete rebuilds by Mike Elliott. One had several hundred hours on it, the other had zero hours. Otherwise, identical.

Doing an A/B test of these two identical units (but for the number of hours on them) confirmed that the sound changes after break in, at least on these units. The mids get fuller, the highs are smoother, and everything just sounds better.

After the new unit had several hundred hours, they sounded identical.

That being said, I would tend to agree with Plato that if you don't like the sound of a piece of equipment out of the box, you may not like it even after it is broken it. But IMHO, break in is a real phenomenon based on this simple A/B comparison. It was the equipment that changed, not my ears.

YMMV

Narrod
Thats odd. I have not heard that nor experienced that. "To me" It is one non-fatiuging amp. Sounds great.
Every review I read has been positive. Thats why it is to each his own. Peace