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CD Player break in period

Guys, I'm not looking to start a debate on break in periods, if it's real, a myth, etc.

I have purchased a new Esoteric X-03 SE SACD player on 12/26/07 along with new Tara Labs The One (w/ISM) balanced interconnects. I let the player warm to room temperature as it was stone cold when I opened the box, evidence that it was either in an unheated warehouse or truck for a while-confirmed by my dealer. After a half a day, I hooked it up and the sound was incredibly poor. Very hard sounding, harsh mids and highs, narrow soundstage, no impact to bass, no definition. I am now on hour 674 and it's almost there. Soundstage opened up, detail is awesome, everything is, as I said almost there, but I still have a bit of a sting on female vocals. I have done an extensive amount of research and although Esoteric's website says break in should be 250 hours, I have found some information stating it would take 800 to 1,000 hours to sound excellent, with it still improving there after.

Again, I am not looking for responses disputing break in, that this is a fantasy and it must be some other culprit in my system (my dealer prchased the same player on the same day (same shippment) and he is experiencing the same).

I would love to hear about other members experience with equipment requiring a rather extensive break in period.

I appreciate your input.
cerrot

Showing 3 responses by mrjstark

mrjstark
1,112 posts
 
I have been married for almost 11years - I think breaking- in is important period to be sure....but it is not true that it will always sound better afterwards. Most of the time, it is just the DENIAL. If it does not sound good in the first two or three days - it never will. Trade it !!!!

Mariusz
mrjstark
1,112 posts
 
"I have found some information stating it would take 800 to 1,000 hours to sound excellent"

No offence, but it just doesn't sound logical.
I hope you do not believe this statement which is very hard to swallow to say the least.
Is there something in writing about this from the manufacture, and if there is - what does it say exactly .....and the explanation why???
I personally did experience a few components that benefited from the extra burn-in time....but never to that extreme.
mrjstark
1,112 posts
 
Finaly....your CDP is burn-in.....I am burn-out.
I hope the rest of your system is up to the Esoteric's speed and transparency.......if not, you gone have to go through the number of sleepless nights(it can be fine tune but not by much). I kind of understand Jmcgrogan2's reasones to move in different direction with his source choice.
And if you are stock to listening to a "Test reference" CDs only........well, what can I say....? - Good luck.
(some cable expermentation and/or acoustic tretments comes to mind)
I just hope you will enjoy some more of "real music" in the future. All the best.
Mariusz
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