I've never heard anyone say that their component sounded worse after break in. If break in is a real phenomenon, then statistically how is that possible? Unless it explains why we constantly 'upgrade' to new gear. What if gear only sounded good for 1-200 hours, and then it was all downhill from there. Obviously, over very long periods of time component parts degrade and do need replacement. But I would not call that part of "break in."
Why does it take so many hours to brea in arc preamps and amps?
I recently purchased a like new ARC 5 SE pre amp. The unit had less than 200 hours on it. Everything I have read states that ARC preamps take up to 600 hours to fully break in. Why is this so and what improvements can I expect to hear as the unit accrues hours?