Burn-in time: it's no joke.

[E-Stat]

... why is it that none of you can accept that I do hear these things I'm stating, and that maybe I just may have a point here (as many others elsewhere do), and that I'm not just imagining things? I've been around long enough to know the difference between simply adjusting myself to the sound of my system, or to legitimate changes - good or bad - over a period of time. While audio memory is notoriously short, there exists the very real fact and sensation that when listening to a favorite piece of music, and hearing certain details and/or instruments that I didn't hear previously, then something is making a difference.

I'm with you. I don't obsess over break in effects, but have experienced them. The most recent example was when I replaced the cable between CD transport and DAC from an old Monster cable to a super wide bandwidth video cable sold by Blue Jeans. Initially, it was intolerably bright. I may have a slightly different perspective in that I have three systems and don't have to rely on any one as a point of reference. I can instantly compare one to another. I temporarily replaced the main transport with a spare cheapo Toshiba DVD player and let it spin a disk unattended to the DAC for about a week or so. That did the trick.

There is a retired engineer over at AA who goes by the moniker of Bold Eagle who coined the term "non-bright, non-loud" to denote what he believes is the audio truth. I agree and had the pleasure of meeting him and spending a most enjoyable evening at his house when business took me to Ohio where he lives. Whether we're talking audio or video, I find that the majority of folks I know prefer an exaggerated "technicolor" version of the truth. The very best examples of either I've experienced are at first blush most unimpressive. They are simply natural. No sizzling highs or vivid reds. Subtlety is the order of the day.

rw

[theaudiohobby]

I'm with you. I don't obsess over break in effects, but have experienced them. The most recent example was when I replaced the cable between CD transport and DAC from an old Monster cable to a super wide bandwidth video cable sold by Blue Jeans. Initially, it was intolerably bright. I may have a slightly different perspective in that I have three systems and don't have to rely on any one as a point of reference. I can instantly compare one to another. I temporarily replaced the main transport with a spare cheapo Toshiba DVD player and let it spin a disk unattended to the DAC for about a week or so. That did the trick.

Why is that burn-in is nearly always positive and the process stops stone dead when device owner is finally very satisfied with the sound?

[02audionoob]

Why is that burn-in is nearly always positive and the process stops stone dead when device owner is finally very satisfied with the sound?

Because the owner got accustomed to the sound and stayed accustomed to the sound.

[Ajani]

Because the owner got accustomed to the sound and stayed accustomed to the sound.

This is what makes this debate so much fun... lots of possible explanations of what is actually occurring:

1) Burn in (other than with moving parts) is just in people's imagination.

or

2) Components sound better over time, like how a shoe feels more comfortable over time (until it falls apart) or like running water wearing down a stone in the river bed.

or

3) We get more in tune with the sound of our systems over time... so we are able to hear detail that we previously never noticed...

or

4) Any combination of the three...

[E-Stat]

Why is that burn-in is nearly always positive and the process stops stone dead when device owner is finally very satisfied with the sound?

I'm confused, too. Who said that?

rw