i have owned Valhalla since 2001; and at one point used 6 sets of Valhalla interconnects in my system. i now have three sets.
i purchased a Nordost CBID1 (Cable break-in device) when i first purchased my Valhalla and have always used that for break-in and annual 'tweaking'.
i would expect that it will likely take 300 to 500 hours to optimize the Valhalla. if you own a good break-in disc with 'ultra-sonic' type noise that would be best to use some of the time.
there will likely be some that will respond here that Valhalla is 'brittle and edgy' after break-in. not true. Valhalla will not 'smooth' or 'soften' the sound. but it will tell you what is happening in your system; whether you like it of not.
BTW, if you purchased your Valhalla from an authorized Nordost dealer they should have the latest Nordost break-in device, the Vidar, and should offer to break-in your Valhalla as a no-charge customer service.
another caveat; if you purchased your Valhalla privately, and it has no serial number or wooden presentation box, it could be that it was 'cut-down' from a longer length and does not have the proper factory termination. this could be the source of your edgyness; the Valhalla needs to be properly terminated.
i purchased a Nordost CBID1 (Cable break-in device) when i first purchased my Valhalla and have always used that for break-in and annual 'tweaking'.
i would expect that it will likely take 300 to 500 hours to optimize the Valhalla. if you own a good break-in disc with 'ultra-sonic' type noise that would be best to use some of the time.
there will likely be some that will respond here that Valhalla is 'brittle and edgy' after break-in. not true. Valhalla will not 'smooth' or 'soften' the sound. but it will tell you what is happening in your system; whether you like it of not.
BTW, if you purchased your Valhalla from an authorized Nordost dealer they should have the latest Nordost break-in device, the Vidar, and should offer to break-in your Valhalla as a no-charge customer service.
another caveat; if you purchased your Valhalla privately, and it has no serial number or wooden presentation box, it could be that it was 'cut-down' from a longer length and does not have the proper factory termination. this could be the source of your edgyness; the Valhalla needs to be properly terminated.