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Break In Question?

I have been under the assumption that in order for a component to break in there must be a signal pass through from one piece of equipment to another. That is, running a Dac/Preamp into an amp, the amp must be turned on for the Dac/Preamp to break in.

But is this really true? Does the amp really need to be turned on?

ozzy

ozzy
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knock1
360 posts
 

It seems that some people are ready to die on the hill to save the humanity from the "folly" of hearing/believing in a need for electronics to break in or even to warm up for their optimum performance. I can not comprehend why is it so. Is this belief in any way harmful to anybody and would necessitate such battles? Come on, enjoy yours and let others enjoy theirs! It is not rocket science concept.

bolong
962 posts
 
https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break-in
The term is cursed with subliminal associations that hint at violence hence the brain's recoil at the very idea. Perhaps the forum moderator should categorize it as too controversial for discussion in polite company.
 
 
 
douglas_schroeder
3,328 posts
 

Anyway, Ozzy, even though we disagree on break in, I have an idea for you. i don’t recall if it was proposed earlier in the thread, and if so, my apologies for redundancy. 

Why not do your break in of the DAC/preamp with the amp turned off. If it’s satisfactory, you’re done. If not, then run it again with the amplifier on. 

It could be an interesting experience for you to see if you judge it to have changed between the two break in periods. 

If you judged it to have changed further after a second break in period, I believe it would raise questions such as: 

What if a product seems to show improvement beyond the manufacturer recommended break in time? Are any recommended break in times reliable, or are some short of the perceived optimum? At what point would a break in period become prohibitively long? 

If I had identical DAC/preamps, I would keep one new, unused. Then I would do the amp off break in period with the other. I would compare new to amp off break in.

Then, I would run the used DAC/preamp in an amp on break in, double time for break in. Finally, I would compare the new, unused DAC/preamp to the doubly broken in DAC/preamp to see if there was an audible change. By audible, I mean the very slightest change detectable. 

I have one or two more imo helpful suggestions that I can share if you wish to contact me privately. 

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