Can You Expalin Why Power Cables Do This?

Thanks Blindjim. Almarg, good man, how about it?

Almarg, good man, how about it?

I haven't the foggiest idea :)

Some people, most likely non-EE's, would claim that during the period of time the power cords were unused they lost their breakin, whatever that may mean technically, and that the change you noted during the first days of re-use reflected re-breakin. Which with your particular system happened to work in the wrong direction sonically.

A rationale that is commonly offered for the breakin phenomenon, again usually by non-EE's, is something called dielectric absorption. As you'll see in the linked writeup, that is a phenomenon that occurs with capacitors, and since any cable or power cord has some small amount of capacitance, some audiophiles have concluded that it is applicable to cables and power cords as well.

However, I have never seen any explanation that plausibly establishes in a QUANTITATIVE manner how dielectric absorption may be significant in the context of audio system cables or power cords. Nor for that matter have I ever seen what I consider to be a plausible quantitative rationale for any other hypothesized cable or power cord breakin explanation.

Best regards,
-- Al

Break in usually has a positive effect when noted.

Its true that any change in sound is often most noticeable at first. Then your ears adjust and the nature of the change becomes less noticeable.

I'm also convinced that the listener plays a major role in what one hears day in day out, especially in the case of critical listeners. Why assume that we are constant from day to day and its only our gadgets that vary?

That's a good question.
Why is break in ALWAYS for the better? Why doesn't it get worse?
Or do you only post when something gets better?

FWIW...

there are some great thoughts on display here... Al's for instance. But sometimes thangs just is waht they is... and for no good reason..

I suspect there are still things in the universe which defy imperical measurements, or escape evidentiary determinations, as to the how or why of them... and they remain in the camp (s) of ... “THEY JUST ARE.”

Science still has enigmas, and mysteries. Even Steven hawking said not long ago, some of his previous theories were crap... and has since revised them to better yet different perspectives.

Let's face it... the professor on Gilligans Island could make a microwave oven out of a pair of coconuts, but couldn't figure out how to patch a two foot hole in the side of a boat!

maybe being isolated on some unknown tropical isle with two gorgeous single girls like Mary Ann & Ginger, impaired his ability to construct boat patches.

I've peeked some during some run in periods... and not peeked substantially during others.... with respect to cable break ins & component burn ins. For the life of me something does seem to occur. things change. Audibly.

If my system isn’t sounding good for what ever reasons… humidity, exceptional heat, etc. I’m simply unable to enjoy it. Although these are rare occasions, they do happen. Sun spots? I’ve no clue really but they do happen.

I also know I simply can not adjust to errant sounds. Brightness or darkness are just that. I don't adjust well to those items per se, at all. neither do I adjust to overt sibilance. high freq negative artifacts such as shrillness, etching, grain, etc.... are simply things I am unable to adjust to amicably.

So as much as 'perhaps' there is some adjusting to, going on inside me, it sure isn’t to those less than effects one can and does notice in quite a few break ins.

Dull is dull. Bright is bright. Grain is tgrain. Dark is dark. Thick is thick. When such components of the sound are plainly evident, yet later resolve themselves away, I dare say the device has done far more adjusting than have I.

In fact as I 'get used' to the sound of my system it becomes even easier for me to detect aberations if or when they arise. it's like you and your home, or your car. you know how it sounds and can catch new or different sounds in it than some others who are unfamiliar with it/them. Right?

Why cables or what ever encompass change following non use or first time use seems self explanatory. It’s new! Stuff inside hasn't seen extended electrical energies hardly ever or for a while. Caps drain... eventually. motors work better once warmed up. ETc, ETC, ETC.

All I know is something is going on for sure, either way.

Case in fact... my Dodd monos sat for nearly a year seeing only THE most minimal playing time... maybe one or two nights in all of last year. it wasn't until the second night that they began to sound like they used to, exhibiting greater extension and bass command. They became more open and resolving as well with more time. Their associated power cords too usually had sat out nearly as long.

So... IMHO... if you ain't encountering such audible shifting briefly or extensively, either your system lacks sufficient resolve, or your hearing is what has changed for the worse more than anything else.... OR you've simply detached from reality and refuse to accept what your ears are telling you..

I mean no harm by this last point, but I'm no freak hearingwise either.... yet these are my own experiences… and I don’t drink or use chemicals, so unless I had some severe mental shift and broke with reality for a spell, I feel pretty good about what I’m disclosing here.

Why is it that plants grow better when music is played about them throughout the day? They don’t have ears. So I’ve no idea… but many have said this notion works.

Sometimes things just are…. Their how’s and why’s might not be something I need to know exactly. I just have to deal with them as best I can, taking them at face value and move on.