Break-in period for an idle but used MC cartridge?


I recently purchased a Lyra Kleos cartridge that had been used for less than 50 hrs. last year and then put away.  The seller, a collector of cartridges, suggested it would need another 20-30 hrs. of break-in.  It's sounding good to me already, certainly not bright in an obvious way.

Has anyone experienced the need for a second break-in period for a MC cartridge that has sat idle for a while?

By the way, I agree with others who extol the resolution of this cartridge.  It must have good PRAT too, because I often find myself tapping my foot when listening, which I haven't done so much when listening to other sources.  Otherwise, it sounds similar to a Benz Ruby 2 I tried briefly, but it has more output.

128x128drmuso

I do one or both of two things, when installing a used MC that has not been exercised in months or years: (1) Set VTF at the upper range of recommended for at least a short break in period, especially if you detect mistracking at a VTF midway between max and min recommended VTF, and/or (2) run the Cardas test LP cuts designed to exercise cartridges. On the old LP at 33 rpm, that was cuts 2a, b, and c, on side A, I think. On the newer version which is run at 45 rpm, those cuts are also at the beginning of side A, but I cannot recall what bands.

PRaT is a function of the turntable, not the cartridge, IMO, and is mostly BS anyway.

@lewm 

Thanks for your reply.  Can you say what sonic differences you hear before and after doing this supplemental break-in?

 

No, I really can't.  I do it empirically, except to say what I already said, mistracking is a sign that the suspension may have stiffened up during storage.  If increasing VTF to max recommended value cures the problem, then I assume the problem was due to stiffening of the suspension.  Not very scientific.