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Break in for new DAC

I just ordered a LTA AERO DAC with Ray Reserve tubes.  I have read that this need 200/300 hours of break-in?   If so, since I have a All tube integrated amp, I really don't want to leave it on that long.  If i have my player run music into new DAC over and over, does the amp really need to be on?

 

Thanks Much

 

mlapenta
jl35
4,459 posts
 

Somewhat tangential but ... some years ago I purchased a used Aesthetix Romulus Tube CD player that had been broken in, but not plugged in the previous 9 months...I called Aesthetix and they said simply having it on stand-by for a month would bring it back to full performance level...but certainly encouraged me to use and enjoy it ...

joeycastillo
267 posts
 

I have Denafrips DACS and in my experience, they seem to sound better till around 300 hours, around 20 days of daily use. THEN it became constant. 

Note: I don't turn it off at all

westcoastaudiophile
819 posts
 

daveteauk, I used predictive design approach of aging impact in my circuits, here is some info to read about it:

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20110014343/downloads/20110014343.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transistor_aging

Overview of Aging Effects on MOSFET Devices

  1. MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors) experience aging, which leads to performance degradation and eventual failure. This aging process is influenced by several factors.

Main Causes of Aging

  1. Electromigration
  2. Definition: Movement of ions due to electron flow.
  3. Impact: Causes material degradation, leading to intermittent glitches and failures.
  4. Charge Trapping
  5. Definition: Trapping of charge carriers in the dielectric material.
  6. Impact: Affects the electrical characteristics of the MOSFET, reducing its efficiency.

Consequences of Aging

  1. Performance Degradation: As MOSFETs age, their ability to switch and conduct diminishes.
  2. Reliability Issues: Increased likelihood of failure in critical applications, such as aerospace and electronics.
  3. Underclocking: Manufacturers often run chips at lower speeds to mitigate aging effects and enhance reliability.

Predictive Approaches

  1. Data-Driven Methodologies: Techniques are being developed to predict the remaining useful life of aging MOSFETs.
  2. Thermal Stress Testing: Controlled experiments help understand how thermal conditions accelerate aging.

Understanding these aging effects is crucial for improving the design and reliability of MOSFET devices in various applications.

 

 

nubiann
98 posts
 
@bigtwin 

 

Absolutely of course follow the manufacturers recommendations.

I guess Hegel’s approach is their own and no one should argue against that. They don’t offer a standby or low power state so turning off is the one and only option.

Not having owned a Hegel product, I must accept that their amplifier topologies allow for fast warm up, reaching optimal temp’s quite quickly.

Others advocate for maintaining a standby or low voltage state for component stability and longevity. Hegel appear to be in the relatively immediate performance above ultimate lifespan camp and that’s fine.

I still own a fantastic solid-state behemoth pre and power from Roksan the "Platinum series" which has an automatic low power state for both pre and power, if no input signal is detected but drop a stylus on a record or start a CD and it immediately powers to fully on.

This amp I notice, if I powered down fully would take around twenty minutes to warm up from cold and perform optimally and it is clearly an audible phenomenon but I stress this is not "Burn-In" it’s simply component temperature and operating stability being reached.

Have fun with the Hegel, very nice equipment. If I am in the market for a big integrated they would be on my demo list.

rivington66's avatar
rivington66
89 posts
 

“Almost all break-in is between your ears.“

 

Nope.

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