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Does a phono cartridge have a break-in period??

Do phono cartridges have a so called "break-in" period in which they begin to sound better?? I recently purchased an Audio Technica AT-120E moving magnet which for under $150 sounds good to very good. (I mentioned it in another thread)

Though,the mid-range sounds a bit recessed, and not as full as some more expensive MM's I have owned

My question is: do cartridges have a burn-in period after which the sounds is fuller or better?? If so, what exactly is breaking in?? stylus, cartridge coilings??
sunnyjim

Showing 2 responses by zd542

zd542
5,339 posts
 
How do you like your new Ayre CD player? For the money, I don't think you could have done better.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"My question is: do cartridges have a burn-in period after which the sounds is fuller or better?? If so, what exactly is breaking in?? stylus, cartridge coilings??"

Of all the components in an audio system, the phono cart changes the most in sound from break in. Its not even close. I've had cartridges that sounded defective when they were new. For the first 10 or 20 hours, you can usually hear a difference from record to record.

As far as what's breaking in, its a mechanical device like a speaker.
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