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What differences should I be hearing as my new system breaks in?

I recently upgraded and replaced my entire stereo system. I have been using the new components a few weeks now, maybe two or more hours per day. I’ve been reading here the components have various burn in times. My question is, what differences or improvements should you expect to hear as the system breaks in over time. All the components were purchased brand new except the power conditioner. I understand different components take longer to burn in than others. From what I’ve read, on the low end, the cartridge should take maybe twenty or so hours to break in. On the high end the speakers might need up to three or four hundred hours.

My new system consists of a pair of Magico A3 speakers, a Luxman L-507uX MkII integrated amplifier, a VPI Classic 2 SE turntable with an Ortofon 2M Black cartridge, and a Marantz SA 8005 CD player (which I have had for a few years). I also acquired a Shunyata Hydra Denali 6000/S power conditioner, used, which everything is plugged into. Wiring consists of Audioquest Rocket 88’s to the speakers, VPI’s house brand cable from the turntable to the amp, and an Audioquest Colorado cable fom the CD player to the amp. The Shunyata Hydra Denali uses a Shunyata Venom power cord to the wall outlet.

It’s been interesting so far. Thus far some records or CD’s sound very different form what I’ve been used to listening to over the years. I had my old Dahlquist DQ-10’s, Bang and Olufsen Beogram 4002 turntable and Phase Linear 400/4000 amp/preamp combination since the late seventies.

Some sparsely orchestrated Joni Mitchell sounded wonderful and beautifully articulated. Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers with Wayne Shorter, playing as I write, really shows off Mr. Shorter’s sax playing in full bodied way I’d not heard before. I really enjoyed Shostakovichs 5th symphony, where I’ve usually not been able to warm up to classical music. Stuff I’ve heard a million times before and was a little bored with has come alive for some reason. The Grateful Dead’s "Wake of the Storm" sounded inexplicably different and better for some reason. Bill Wyman’s bass intro into on the Stone’s "Live With Me" off Let It Bleed was a revelation. I’d never heard it before like that, although I’ve listened to Let It Bleed hundreds of times as the daily played soundtrack of my senior year in high school. Oddly, Let It Bleed sounded poor, particularly Mick’s vocals, at the speakers demo, to which I had taken it. Go figure.

On the other hand Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon on Mobile Fidelity sounded like a muddy mess and super crackly to boot, although an almost brand new pressing. Next up is a record cleaning machine to see if that makes any difference with well cared for records like the Pink Floyd recording. Paul Desmond’s alto sax practically jumped out of the speakers on the Brubeck’s Take Five album, which had previously left me non-plussed, but now was quite enjoyable. I’ll have to try a little more West Coast jazz. I’ll stop rambling right now.

Anyway, I’m curious how much better things may get and what may change, as the system gets burned in properly. I’d appreciate any input about what to expect from those of you who have some experience in this area. There’s been mostly nice surprises so far. Thanks,

Mike
skyscraper
skyscraper OP
825 posts
 
David and lak, I’m not really concerned about the break in, I’m only curious what it entails sonically and the scope of the changes to expect. For instance what difference in the Magico A3’s sound might be apparent after 400 hours. Thanks.

Douglas, I expect my system will go up in value like a vintage Ferrari, as well as sound better, like a fine vintage wine tastes smoother as it ages. There’s already been a significant mark-up on the A3’s.

Chayro, you called it right on the Desmond alto solo. That’s the kind of thing mellowing out I was wondering about with the process of burning in. The bass response seems to be getting a little less subdued, and the soundstage may be improving a bit. I’m not sure if I should be making any adjustments to the cartridge’s arm height to reduce the treble response a bit or should I wait longer to let the system age a bit, before I work on that, speaker placement and other adjustments.

shkong, you’re right about the CD player being the weak link. I bought that to upgrade my old system a few years back after I’d acquired a hundred or so CD’s. Most of my source material is vinyl records. At some point I’ll have to upgrade that component and DAC especially if I continue to purchase CD’s. I appreciate your DAC suggestion, but I’ve dropped so much cash on this new system I have to stop for a while while pursuing other interests that also weigh on the budget. By the way, were you the person who was considering purchasing the vintage Western Electric(?) horn speaker system, or was that someone else? I could never find that thread again and have wondered how that turned out.

Appreciate your advice shkong. Hopefully some of the edginess will subside as time goes by as you suggest. That factor made me think something might be out of adjustment. I’ll need to be patient, which I can be sometimes.

Mike






glupson
7,842 posts
 
If I am reading it right, more or less everything but Pink Floyd and one song by The Rolling Stones sounds better than before. Is it the material and not the equipment that is failing on those two? Trying to put it together with your original post title, no break/burn-in may fix it.

Your CD player may be relatively the weakest link but get Pink Floyd SACD ($15-20, used) and check what difference it may make. If nothing else, it is already considered burned/broken-in.

All in all, it seems that your upgrade of the system was successful. I remember when you were planning, it is nice to read it has worked.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,261 posts
 
@skyscraper...…………………….

I too have the first Mobile Fidelity pressing of DSOTM and the bass is excellent, but the treble is subdued a bit and that sparkle that is in the album is gone. I never cared for the MOFI version of this record and find the volume on the record to be lower than all of my other records by a wide margin.

Since you have a SACD player, I would look for a used SACD of DSOTM, I say used because it is out of print on SACD now. You will be amazed. Second best is the new remix of it on regular CD, very well done. I have not heard your speakers, but you have a well balanced system that needs quite a bit of break in. I am willing to bet you will notice differences (hopefully for the better) every few more days of playing. Enjoy the break in, that is half the fun and keep rocking!

If you want to expedite the break in, pick up one of the system burn in CD.  Follow the instructions and the system will be burned in much faster.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
I’m only curious what it entails sonically and the scope of the changes to expect. 


Well now here's the problem. Your question, what to expect, only makes sense when asked first. When asked after two weeks of listening, well its like asking what to expect from sex after having sex two hours a night for two weeks. 

If you don't know by now....
skyscraper OP
825 posts
 
Nice to hear from you glupson. The Stones sounded great. No issue there. Let It Bleed sounded much better at home than at the dealer showroom demo with their expensive monoblock amps. I think Pink Floyds Dark Side of the Moon disc itself is defective or came dirty brand new from Mobile Fidelity. That's really been the only disappointment so far. It sounded crackly on my old system too. I'll check out the Pink Floyd SACD you suggest.  

It's been a pleasant adventure so far re-listening to recordings I've had, some since the late sixties. Some sound so different. A number that I always thought of as so-so have pleasantly surprised me upon a new listen. 

The Magico A3's sound so revealing. My old Dahlquist DQ 10 speakers had their really good moments, but the Magicos have those moments all the time on a consistent basis. And tonight it seems the bass is tightening up. I can't figure out if its just my imagination or particular recordings. That's kind of why I posted this, to find out is this is the kind of thing to expect as the system burns in.  

Mike
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