Break-in Time

@rvpiano - I think getting into the music more is a general result as your system is improved. In this case it was cables that seemed to be responsible for the improvement in sound quality. 
 

For me, it was rolling some Mullard tubes in my Pathis that really elevated my system beyond what I thought was possible.  That improvement compelled me to dabble in other areas like cables for the first time. Cables made things better, but the combination of upgrading my DAC and moving to a balanced Morrow Audio interconnect has resulted in another unbelievable improvement. 
 

I think the designer of Iconoclast is on to something when he says that timing is the key. I think that great timing leads to a more visceral experience which ties into PRAT that gets your toes tapping and head nodding involuntarily. 

OP,

This is absolutely true… providing you are fully assessing the sound correctly and not being swayed by a couple attributes and ignoring others.

It is easy to be seduced by detail and slam, letting rhythm and pace, musicality, and natural sound slip through your fingers. You end up with spectacular highlighted cymbals, chest thumping kick drums and silent background, but sound that misses soul… the emotional connection.

This is why a lot of us old codgers moved back to tubes and companies that are all about the music and not sonic aerobatics.

It’s usually held that the better the sound is, the more easily you can get into the music. I’ve never entirely bought into this concept. I think I’ve leaned toward the feeling that music is music and sound is sound.
With the addition of these cables, however, I find I’m actually getting into the music more deeply, something that I never felt with the addition of any other component.

+1 @nonoise it’s not unusual at all for cables to flip flop few times before they settle. Usually at a 200hr mark you notice it’s all coming together. 

If anyone doubts break in is a thing, try a brand new Furutech GTX-D NCF outlet. 

Don't be surprised if a little later down the line you experience another one or two epiphanies, maybe not on the scale you just experienced but in the realm of noticeability. That's been my experience.

All the best,
Nonoise

Congratulations. Yeah. It is hard not to be skeptical… and really anticipate great sound immediately. But alas, it can take time. The first time I recognized breakin was over forty years ago, I promised myself I would wait to judge new stuff after that. But, over and over again I would get ahead of myself and proclaim judgement too soon. I think it is just human nature. Glad the sound quality flipped… it is amazing how it is exactly the same for individual products… but different for different products. This was brought home for me because I broke in three individual Audio Research Reference 160s amps. I expected similar break-in… but I was shocked at how exactly each of them followed the same path.

A miracle after Jasmine's touch!

Always be patient, let the thing cook.

Yes.

Good result!

I assume that the other times you were listening all the other factors were the same.