Burning-in as a non-linear experience


I know there has been loads of discussions on the burning-in process of components as well as their parts. If someone does not believe it happens, please do not respond. This is to address mainly the experience people had in burning in components or their parts. The burning-in process is usually described as a linear process, getting from bad to good. But in my experience, and in my system, it is not a linear process. It usually starts from pretty good, to better, then worse, then better, then horrible, and finally wonderful. I was wondering if people had a similar experience. These are pretty drastic changes... And this topic is mainly to focus on this particular thing: non-linear changes during the burning-in process. I had this experience with Furutech NCF outlets, but now I can see the same may apply also to my new capacitors. I have recently replaced my Samsung capacitors with Nichicon LGL2G821MELC40, not an audiophile sort, but the only ones that I could fit in. People are reporting about audiophile capacitors needing a lot of time burning in, I was wondering also if non-audiophile capacities might sometimes need the extended time in a high-resolution system and if their burning-in might also happen not exactly from moving gradually from bad to good. 

serblinfan

I always thought it was generally considered to be accepted as a non linear process - certainly my experience

I have this happen every time I unhook wires or have to mess with the springs under my speakers.  It takes a couple days.

I have ribbon speaker wires and spades would not stay tight so I  had new ends installed.

In the mean time, I bought Chinese speaker wire.  Silver coated copper with Rhodium coated banana plugs that tighten down and expand the banana once inserted.  I had previously tried interconnects of the same wire and liked them.  So I purchased the speaker wire.  At first I said, detail, crisp, accurate, etc.  I have had thse wires for a month.  I feel less enthusiastic currently, it sometimes sounds conjested or muffled.  I think there has been confirmation bias, burn in, different recordings, volumes, etc.  So it can be confusing as to what is going on.  I plan to leave this wire for awhile before I put the ribbon wire Beckwith the Rhodium bananas.

I believe burn in is a genuine phenomenon because I've had it happen when I didn't expect it. I had upgraded my speakers for the first time in many years and at first I was not overwhelmed at first. I hadn't a thought in the world that there might be a burn-in effect. Then about a month to six weeks of listening I start thinking to myself "These sound really good." And from my perspective it wasn't a matter of gradual improvement; if was more like and unconscious perception that after a certain point became apparent. I would be open to the argument that it's a process of the ears training themselves to hear the qualities of the equipment that had actually not changed, but I would lean toward that an actual change takes place. What would support that is people claim to have a burn-in effect from running them 24 hours a day or whatever for a short period, where they haven't been present to hear the speakers during the process.

Your experience mirrors mine, but it has nothing to do with the physical state of the equipment. Our systems sound better or worse depending on our moods. When I am on a really foul mood I don't even turn it on. I know it will sound terrible. This phenomenon is all in our heads, nothing more, nothing less. Mechanical items can "loosen up." do only one thing and that is deteriorate.  

                                            The OP's request:

I know there has been loads of discussions on the burning-in process of components as well as their parts. If someone does not believe it happens, please do not respond. 

                                   mijostyn = typical Denyin'tologist

                     (Dunning-Kruger/OCD/unable to refrain from blather)