How do you break in a preamp

@audphile1 -

                                          +1

@rodman99999 nah…he’s taking his sweet time lol

Think about how you broke in a TV set, stereo or AV reciever or any other audio / video component you have ever owned.

The preamp is just electronic parts in a case. No need to over think it.

In fact it might be fun to listen closely right out of the box and take notes about how it sounds good and bad. log the hours and tracks you played. keep notes for several weeks and report back how different it may sound after 100, 200 or 300 hours.

Then YOU will become the expert.

@rodman99999 HAHAHAHA!!!

@audphile1 -

      I'll bet stanwine's pre is broken in by now.

               Just a guess!

                      😉

@stanwine congrats!!!

if you stream music just have your streamer playing 24/7. You don’t need to have the amp on. Also, keeping the preamp on even if not playing will help too. Just turn off the display when not listening (that’s what I do with my xp-12). 
You’ll need about 200hrs of break in. 

Agreed on leaving it on and using it. That's what I did for my XP-22 and I leave it on 24/7, I didn't notice a substantial difference as it broke in.

You need I bought M8 preamp musical fidelity I was going to return it because don't like what I'm hearing but only 6 hours from what I'm reading is to soon to make a decision and return it hopefully with 50 more hours or more I be able to get the sound I expect for that kind of money

Well if we are talking about the new Pass Labs XP-10 (which I own) its designed to be left on all the time, there is no on /off button.
The manual says it reaches its full potential after 24 hours of being plugged in.
But if your like me , I would say give it a week of being on 24/7 before crtically judging it.

I broke mine in by having my cable TV output on a music channel running though it all the time.

Its really painless because it sounds pretty good right after hook up and does not go through massive changes with more hours on it.

You can accomplish the burn-in process either way. I'm too impatient, and don't like to sit through the transformations that take place, to listen for 200 hrs while components burn. I just sample for a while every day. Whatever your signal source, your power amp needn't be turned on to burn-in a pre. To save the hours on my CDP(and it's tubes) I use a tuner, either between stations(white noise kinda), or on a "rap"(yuch!) station for the heavy bass content.

Yep, follow unit instructions: Power on, play. I personally don't like sitting through the break-in process because it's harder to perceive the differences over time. I prefer to listen at the beginning and take note of initial reactions, let it play for a decent period of time, then listen again for changes.

Fire it up and let play!! That's the only sure fire way to break-in any component. After 100-150 hrs. it should be sufficiently broke-in.

Take the top plate off, most likley just some phillips head screws need to be removed.

What are you going to do once you are in there? :)

Like Doak said, just use it, it will happen soon enough. The transformation process should be one that is appreciated, like a scenic drive through the country. I just love it when a component gradually transforms from a frog to a prince.

Use it.

I use the IsoTek System enhancer CD to break in all new electronic devices and cables (and to warm things up after a long break). IMHO, it was money well spent.

I use the Purist Audio System enhancer CD to break in all new electronic devices and cables. Although I never compared it with other break in devices, considering the terrible noise coming from the speakers it should be efficient!