2. digital
  3. 987976715

Break-in factor rqd for new cd player?

Anyone know if there is a 'break-in' period rqd for a new CD player to sound its best?

I just purchased a new CD player- the excellent Audio Aero Capitole 24/192, and my initial impressions (only the first hour of play) are that it does not seem to be giving me quite the same performance of the floor model (well broken in) that I initially borrowed. Of course there are always contributing factors- i.e. dirty power in the middle of the day from the lines as opposed to later at night, when I was doing most of the testing of the floor model; switching power cords and interconnects may be a factor as well- do they need to 'settle down' after being moved?

Anyone with any impressions on this? will it improve over time, or should it be performing as well as possible right out of the box- i.e. is there a 'break-in' factor with digital? I should note that this player does has a subminiature tube output stage, which my previous player- Sim Audio Eclipse, did not (although I don't know if this would affect anything or not...).

Thanks!

Sutts

sutts
gregm
3,405 posts
 
Adsal, my CDP also took ~300 hrs. Sutts, check out the heat on the player's platter -- if there is a slight smell (don't worry) or the CDs you're playing are warm, follow sugarbrie's advice very carefully.
Happy listening!
topkat
50 posts
 
I recently bought the Marantz SA/1 SACD player (under 3 weeks). Play time so far is about 30 hrs on it. I find the bass to be a bit extended but noticing more control and tightness as it breaks in. I talked to an engineer at Marantz today and he said atleast 600 hrs of listening time with this unit. I'll be dead by the time the unit breaks in.
Regular CD players are about 200 hrs for break in.
twinstick
6 posts
 
Hi,
I got similar experience when I brought home a new unit of Oracle integrated CD Player. The sound right out of box, was cold, edgy, lack of focus, and actually unbearable. My friend was "stunned" by its performance...no way categories it as high-end sound. After playing for about 200 hours, the sound slowly softened, getting focused, and relaxed.
aldenruss
35 posts
 
There is sure to be a break-in period required for a digital source before it sounds its best. I think it would be difficult to provide a number for all digital products, but certainly 1 or 2 hundred hours is not an unreasonable amount of time. I am currently breaking in a Sony C-333ES SACD changer, and have had it running for about 8 hours a day for the last 3 weeks. There is no question that the unit is becoming smoother, and now starting to become richer sounding, too (Yes!). Also, the soundstage is projecting further out from the plane of the speakers, why this should be so I have no idea but there are no complaints from me about getting a bigger 3D "bubble" of sound out into the room. (The Sony is a great piece, by the way, and a good way to get most of the SACD magic without dropping a ton of dough.) Play that new deck a LOT and give it time, it's only going to get better. Happy listening everyone!
kitch29
316 posts
 
Play one of those pre-natal CD's, you know, Mozart for your baby? It might learn to upsample while it's breaking in.
More to discover