Burn in of new DAC


First of all, I would like to thank you all for your audiophile education. I've learned a great deal, Thanks for all the posts.

     I know there has been a post recently on Burn in of equipment, I just couldn't find it. Looking to buy a new Dac, Going to try an R2R this time. Currently own a Benchmark Dac3 b. Really enjoy it and will move it to another system. Looking at the  Holo audio Spring 3 (KTE), Audio GD R7 mk 2 and Denafrips Pontus 2.

I understand the need for burn in, just not sure how to do it, other than turning my amp, preamp and Dac on and maybe downloading I heart radio and letting it play for hours, plus my regular listening. Just hate to leave all those things on. (all solid state) I was just hoping to leave the new unit on, in standby mode to accomplish the burn in, but, if I remember from  the forum, was told that a load would have to go through??? Thanks Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks again for the education. Robert TN

robshaw

One also has to be sure that the input to the given preamp is ’loaded’ even if it is off.

It is rare, but it can happen. One of the best way to ensure some form of decent levels of loading, is to use an older preamp with passive tape switching, where the signal can pass through the unit, if it is off, or on. then place the output of the DAC into the tape input of the preamp, and let it run with the preamp off. 99.99% of the given inputs on a preamp or whatnot, will run the signal to ’ground’ via some 47k ohm loading, but that won’t really burn anything in.

A passive switching tape input will generally load the given tape signal circuit input proper, through an approximate 1k ohm resistor, and then to the given preamp circuit and to the given second tape deck.

So we get true forms of center pin or ’hot signal’ loading, not just the standard 47k ohm connection to ground that is between all inputs and their respective grounds.

As for problems in achieving this... relay switched line inputs can sometimes be defeated when the given preamp is turned off. Which is why passive switched and loaded tape circuits are sometimes the way to go try and achieve silent burn in of things like DACS, or tuners, or what have you. (old receivers and amps, preamps, etc.. with the two tape inputs.. which were/are nearly ubiquitous for at least 40 years).

Your preamp and amp do not need to be turned on to break in the DAC, but you should play music through the DAC.