Cerrot, for reviewers as important as Robert Harley it's not uncommon for manufacturers to "pre burn" components. I know this for a fact.
It's unfortunate that all components are not run in to perfection but everyone is already suffering from sticker shock on high end pieces and this would add to the cost.
As for your Esoteric, I have no experience with that piece but would not doubt for as minute your experience.
My new custom tube crossover changed drastically at several places LATE in the burn cycle compared to nearly identical previous design. Substantial changes (approximately) 50 hours, 435 hours, 941 hours and 1260 hours. The reason for such a difference between this and previous? All hand made Teflon film and foil caps in the new one.
At all these various break in periods, there was a room full of people making comments about the changes and it was the same as I was hearing.
Fortunately, after break in there is a nice long level path of dependable performance, marred only by maintenance (in my case) due to all the tubes which eventually needs replacement.
Several guys in my group have experienced long break in on speakers too, my Dali's were very long in coming around, as were Dynaudio Temptations, Kharma Exquisite 1De and Wilson Alexandria.
It's unfortunate that all components are not run in to perfection but everyone is already suffering from sticker shock on high end pieces and this would add to the cost.
As for your Esoteric, I have no experience with that piece but would not doubt for as minute your experience.
My new custom tube crossover changed drastically at several places LATE in the burn cycle compared to nearly identical previous design. Substantial changes (approximately) 50 hours, 435 hours, 941 hours and 1260 hours. The reason for such a difference between this and previous? All hand made Teflon film and foil caps in the new one.
At all these various break in periods, there was a room full of people making comments about the changes and it was the same as I was hearing.
Fortunately, after break in there is a nice long level path of dependable performance, marred only by maintenance (in my case) due to all the tubes which eventually needs replacement.
Several guys in my group have experienced long break in on speakers too, my Dali's were very long in coming around, as were Dynaudio Temptations, Kharma Exquisite 1De and Wilson Alexandria.