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Cable Break In for the Naysayers

I still cannot believe that in this stage of Audio history there are still many who claim cable break in is imagined. They even go so far as claim it is our ears that break in to the new sound. Providing many studies in the way of scientific testing. Sigh...

I noticed such a recent discussion on the What’s Best Forum. So here is my response.

______________________________________________________________________________________________ I just experienced cable break in again firsthand. 10 Days ago, I bought a new set of the AudioQuest Thunderbird XLR 2M interconnects.

First impression, they sounded good, but then after about 30 hours of usage the music started sounding very closed in and with limited high frequencies. This continued until about 130 hours of music play time.

Then at this time, the cables started to open up and began to sound better and better each passing hour. I knew at the beginning they would come around because they sounded ok at first until the break in process started. But now they have way surpassed that original sound.

Now the soundstage has become huge with fantastic frequency extensions. Very pleased with the results. Scientifically I guess we can’t prove cable break in is real, but with good equipment, good ears, it is clearly a real event.

ozzy

ozzy
kevemaher's avatar
kevemaher
418 posts
 

@knownothing 

The perceived enemy called ASR has posted quite a few measurements and analysis. They are not the only voice of course, but can be a starting point. 

The search function in the ASR forum is quite effective. Type in Shunyata. You'll find lots of hits. You may consider the ASR stance flawed because it comes to the measurements already biased. There is that. But measurements, graphs with lines on them representing actual data (not biased by humans) tell a clear picture. There's nothing of any value to us in audio from Shunyata cables. Save your hard earned money. 

ASR is at its best when it advises. I am no fan of the dogmatic attitude expressed on the ASR forum. I quit ASR because of this and asked Amir directly to delete all my posts. He didn't do that but at least my posts were labeled from "Deleted Member". I find there is value in their measurements. This information is scarce elsewhere.

knownothing
1,821 posts
 

@kevemaher thanks.  Been down that road.  You might try asking the folks on ASR to show you how to measure how well one piece of stereo gear or another, including different cables, represent soundstage width, depth and location as experienced by the listener in the sweet spot and see what they come back with.  I’ll leave it at that.

squared80's avatar
squared80
317 posts
 

The only thing sadder than believing that cable break-in audibly changes sound for you, is following that up by admitting you overspent on snake oil Audioquest cables. Come on, man. You're better than that. 

ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,789 posts
 

squared80.

As I have commented before, if, your system and ears are up to it, better cables and yes, cable breakin will be obvious.

You seem to be set in your beliefs so enjoy what you have.

ozzy

tommyu
45 posts
 

“Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.”
― Benjamin Franklin


This quote says it all, to bad these close minded people continue to pollute the community and ad Nothing positive.. this is why the world is like it is now days. “Less harmless are those audio enthusiasts who are least secure: those whose toxic rage at a world that does not accept the authority of their opinions—a world that persists in enjoying recorded music in ways of which they do not approve—accomplishes nothing other than making our hobby seem repellent.”

--Art Dudley

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