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Cartridge burn-in

Hi to all analog friends here,

Any time I purchase a new cartridge, when I set it up and sit down to listen to it, I cringe a little. It always sounds stiff, harsh, glassy, shrill. Then, after a few days/weeks of playing, it appears to 'break in' and start sounding relaxed, more musical, sweeter, less straining, presenting the music with better flow and finesse.

Common wisdom teaches that the cartridge, being a mechanical component, needs to loosen up its suspension. So, the only way to really hear what the cartridge is capable of is to play it for at the minimum 20 to 30 hours (some sources even say 50 hours).

OK, makes sense (kinda). But an alternative explanation is also possible: whenever we replace our current cartridge with a new one, the new one will sound different. Maybe it is this different, unfamiliar sonic character of the new cartridge that is causing us to feel that the sound is harsh, metallic, unpleasant, strenuous? Then, after a few days/weeks with the new cartridge, our ears and our listening habits get adjusted to the new type of sound, and we grow to like it.

This gradual conditioning to the new type of sound is then called 'cartridge break-in'. But maybe the cartridge doesn't really break-in; maybe it is our ears and our listening habits that gradually break-in and get accustomed to the new sound?

What do you think?

crazybookman
pindac's avatar
pindac
4,027 posts
 

All the more reason why the ambient environment that enables these Elastomer Compounds to Damp at the optimised function for the chosen material, would be best if made known by the manufacturer.

Most importantly is that the Micro Jitters produced within the Groove are not being prevented to manifest to the most effective measure when the Elastomer Compound is not optimised through functioning in the ideal ambient environment.

The idea of having a Cart' costing Multi Thousands, that is Compliance Matched, Load Matched and then left to the chosen ambient by the user does not make sense, unless the chosen ambient is carefully worked out to be perceived as the best for the Cartridge in use. 

There is the potential for a poor Cart' performance, when the mechanical interface and mechanical operation of the Cart', is used in an ambient environment that is not ideal. It is a worthwhile venture to be confident the critical materials selected and the chosen settings for the relationship between the materials at the interfaces are at their optimised for the function intended through design.

As the TT>Tonearm>Cartridge is one Trilogy to have optimised for the overall replay of a Vinyl LP.

The not too commonly referred to Trilogy of Compliance>Loading>Ambient Environment has a place to ensure the LP produced signal is not compromised by the failings of the Damper and Damper Tensioning interface.

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 

@lewm , perhaps I did not state my case correctly. Rubber has a memory. It's  consistency also changes with temperature. It is highly likely that with continuous flexing it's temperature and consistency might change enough to move the resonance frequency slightly and possibly make a slight change in the sonic performance of the cartridge. I am not saying this happens. I am only saying that this is a plausible explanation why a cartridge might need to warm up,  Mr Car Guy.

mattldm
14 posts
 

So if break in does happen, it seems like cartridges get less bright or trebly with breaking in correct?
I recently installed a new Sumiko Rainer cartridge and I find myself reaching for the treble tone control to turn it up a couple clicks. It sounds good but seems a little lacking in the top end and if I understand what everyone is saying about breakin it’s actually going to get even more laid back after a period of time? Does this sound right?

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