What Exactly Does "Burn In" do for Electronics?


I understand the break in of an internal combustion engine and such, but was wondering what exactly "burn in" of electrical equipment benefits musicality, especially with solid state equipment? Tubes (valves) I can see where they work better with age, to a point, but not quite sure why usage would improve cables, for instance. Thanks in advance for your insight.
dfontalbert

Showing 2 responses by ptmconsulting

To those who don't believe in, or who haven't heard a difference, with burn in:

- please sell me that brand new bad sounding $2500 phono cartridge with only 10 hours on it for 40% of what you paid for it

I can't even count the number of cables or electronic pieces or capacitors or other parts of all types that have continually changed with "burn in" use over time. The change isn't subtle from start to finish, though it can be subtle in degrees. 20-50 hours isn't usually enough time to get to the end of that change. More like 100-200 hours.

All I can think is ... if you can't hear it then maybe your system isn't as resolving as you think.
"All I can think is ... if you can't hear it then maybe your system isn't as resolving as you think"

Maybe you're right but maybe your wrong and it's all in your head and you just happen to be a person that's easily duped? Could be, that's all I'm saying.
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Jax ... in some cases I might agree with you, but in others the change is so profound that there is no way to mistake the change. Dull, uninvolving, 1 dimensional, no dynamics, no top or bottom end slam ... changes to ... open, airy, extended, 3 dimensional, exciting, slamming sound that you just can't stop yourself from getting up and dancing musical enjoyment.

It doesn't matter that it took 2 weeks to get there, you can easily hear it.