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Cable Break In for the Naysayers

I still cannot believe that in this stage of Audio history there are still many who claim cable break in is imagined. They even go so far as claim it is our ears that break in to the new sound. Providing many studies in the way of scientific testing. Sigh...

I noticed such a recent discussion on the What’s Best Forum. So here is my response.

______________________________________________________________________________________________ I just experienced cable break in again firsthand. 10 Days ago, I bought a new set of the AudioQuest Thunderbird XLR 2M interconnects.

First impression, they sounded good, but then after about 30 hours of usage the music started sounding very closed in and with limited high frequencies. This continued until about 130 hours of music play time.

Then at this time, the cables started to open up and began to sound better and better each passing hour. I knew at the beginning they would come around because they sounded ok at first until the break in process started. But now they have way surpassed that original sound.

Now the soundstage has become huge with fantastic frequency extensions. Very pleased with the results. Scientifically I guess we can’t prove cable break in is real, but with good equipment, good ears, it is clearly a real event.

ozzy

ozzy
ptss
1,964 posts
 

Yes, and I think many at the top level have learned from Cardas.

bolong
774 posts
 

It is probable that cable break-in is most obvious on horn speakers given their sensitivity notoriously so in the treble regions. It is in the upper registers that my Klipsch Cornwall 4's demonstrate break-in most unequivocally. I never "adjust" to shrill highs. They either go away or I do, or rather the cable goes away.

huddy957
2 posts
 

Cozzy is absolutely correct. I recently purchase a pair of 1m Dragon XLR cables, at first, they sounded decent, but every frequency was weak bass midrange and treble were weak and lacking dynamics. However, I continued the break in process until 100 hrs. then hello i had to strap myself to my lazy boy chair the cable began to open up. The bass and vocals were my biggest amazement then the refinement of the treble kick in. The issue is patience most music enthusiast doesn't want to wait this long but audiophiles like me will wait up to 400 hrs  because the end result is worth it. 

jji666
592 posts
 

Back before I developed any empathy (i.e. around 12) I used to take a shovel, find a hill of red ants, shovel it out and drop it onto a hill of black ants and watch the battle.  (Yes, I know, as I said it was before that part of my brain developed).

This is what the OP just did.  What other point could there be?

ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,630 posts
 

huddy957,

Thank you for your recent post. I envy your AQ Dragon interconnects. I was able to find a used 2-meter AQ Firebird XLR cable so that is what I am now using.

ozzy

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