Anyone using the Transistor Research LabsM 225's

Bill,
Are you running your amps continuously? I'm failing to do this, forgetting overnights at low levels for example. Realistically, 6-10 hrs/day.

I'm hard-pressed to believe that a specific regiment will result in a sound different from another, but who knows? Brian is mildly adamant about continuous break-in operation.

I'd fire this query at TRL were it not for the fact that I'm embarrassed for not following instructions!
Dave
(Regular music, no noise or special break-in CDs, of which I'm dubious.)

I leave mine on 24/7 - never turn them off. I used to run them 24/7 at low volume for break in. After some 300 hours I stopped that.

Bill

Standard TRL rule of thumb is 400 hours break in. You should do this by leaving the equipment on 24/7 and running a signal through it. From my experience it does not have to be at low level volume. I burned in my D-225 by playing a CD on repeat when I wasn't listening. I'd change the CD every now and again. I would use a burn in CD once a month, but this was for the entire system in general. The Granite Audio CD is a inexpensive and easy one to use.

Clio, Could you expand upon "From my experience.."? Also, Why is a break-in CD recommended once a month?
Regards,
Dave

Dave,

My experience in general when breaking in any component, except for speakers, is that volume does not to be turned up for break in to occur. I do know some people who have told me running different levels of signals is helpful, but not from my experience. Just running a signal through is good enough. Of course power to the components being broken in must be turned on. Speakers on the other hand need some volume to work out the drivers. Here running different signal levels is helpful.

Now there are those who suggest running equipment 24 x 7 is not the way to do it but rather run the equipment in a cycle. For example, 12 hours on, 3 hours off. I never tried it that way so can't say one way or another if that is more effective.

As for break in CDs, the test tones that cover the entire frequency range are a good primer for the system. Sort of like giving it a work out. Some of the tracks are referred to as "torture tracks" and you can see why if you look at your woofer during the playback. A lot of the music we play does not cover the breadth of the frequency range like a break in CD does. You're basically giving your system a huge dose in a short period of time when you use a break in CD.

The break in CDs are good for components and cables. In fact Dale Pitcher who manufacturers your speakers uses one (I thing the Purist Audio CD). However, he warns against using it on repeat for extended periods as it imparts a sonic flavor of its own on the system, especially cabling.