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Ahhhh...breaking in a cartridge.

While I'm pretty sure most loudspeakers and components do have some break in period, I KNOW cartridges do break in because I've heard the diminishment of surface noise (and other stuff, which may be more subjective) over time. 

I'm breaking in a new Audio Technica ART9 cartridge.  I'm 5 hours in and my ear is either getting used to it or it's sounding better. :)  This is not much time, I know.  I am trying to listen to the same records (about 5 albums) over and over, of which I'm well familiar to see how things go.  If I had to sum up the break in thusfar in one statement I'd say things don't sound as tight and reserved. 

By the way, this cartridge is going to be killer.  It's tonal balance is superb.  Not one region of the spectrum is emphasized. 
jbhiller

Showing 1 response by blisshifi

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blisshifi
1,233 posts
 
I'm in the same boat as you with an ART-9. Just recently switched over from a DV 17d3 and could not be happier. 

Cartridge break-in is real, but the progress has its ups and downs. It's different for every cartridge but for my ART-9 it actually got dull for a few hours between 8-10 for me. Started opening up again after that.

The most significant break-in I've ever experienced with a cartridge was with a soundsmith. I remember when it opened up around the 50hr mark and my jaw dropped while listening to Random Access Memories. Years later, while my system has well surpassed the quality that I had with the soundsmoth, I'm hoping that the ART-9 does that to me too!
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