Love getting new equipment, hate the break-in

we sometimes forget that two things can be true at the same time. It seems pretty well established to me that over time our brains will accommodate to the different sound of new components. Just as expectation bias, placebo effect, and other manner of implicit bias seems firmly grounded in science. That doesn’t eliminate the possibility that changes in new electronic components over time could also produce audible changes in the sound. I suppose if manufacturers or others were seriously interested in this topic, properly conducted blind testing might be helpful. I certainly don’t think blind testing is perfect, but it seems it would add to our understanding. on the other hand, maybe it doesn’t make much difference. You put a new component in your system and however it sounds to your ears is what you’ve got. 

goldenways, I had that with some Analysis Plus interconnects.  Also, I just bought a new Aurender A1000 that took +30 hours to sound right.  

Is the hunt more rewarding than the prize.  I enjoy the journey.  I buy where I can return for no a little fee whenever I can.  Especially when I’m trying to upgrade with new equipment.  I love building different systems and then upgrading them over time.  It takes all my time and a good chunk of money but it keeps me out of trouble.  

I can attest to the fact that components and speakers require time to burn in and sound their best.  This phenomenon became apparent to me when I upgraded from Cambridge Azur separates to a Macintosh MA12000 integrated amplifier and then to Accuphase separates that consist of an A48-S Class-A amplifier,  a C2300 preamplifier,  and a DC-37 Processor. Both the McIntosh and Accuphase sounded horrible and not like the unit(s) I demo’d at the store.  Then gradually they sounded better and after 200 hours or so, both sounded incredible. My Accuphase components really open up after a good hour of listening and become more airy, micro details and subtleties more prevalent, musically engaging, sonorous and dynamic. It’s strange but during the 1st hour the gain on my Accuphase amplifier is set low but then I set it to the highest gain and this is where the magic happens that I talked about. So I’m a firm believer in both burn-in and warm-up. 

I like burn-in.  What else gets better as it is used?  Doing so with a pair of NOS NIB 1958 Western Electric JW 2C51 now.  I think it’s astonishing that such things exist 67 years after being made.  They existed before I did...shoot my parents hadn't even met yet.  Only about 12 hours in (2 evenings) but quite noticeable sonic improvement over the last 2 hours.  Look forward to what they bring to our system moving forward.

Oldest NOS NIB tubes I’ve burned-in: pair of 1949 Sylvania ladder plate 6BL7GT...that was a fun burn-in!