My experience breaking in quite a few cartridges is very similar to Kurt tank's, and I echo what he said.
The break-in tracks on the Cardas LP have greater amplitudes and a more varied mix of frequencies and phase relationships than most music. They work the elastomers in a suspension more completely and vigorously than playing music for the same length of time.
That said, I don't use the break-in tracks unless a cartridge is unlistenably unpleasant. If the sound is tolerable (or better) then I listen to music and enjoy the changes. Hearing what happens and thinking about why it's doing so is educational and part of the fun, and I'd rather listen to music, even "imperfect" music, than test tones.
The break-in tracks on the Cardas LP have greater amplitudes and a more varied mix of frequencies and phase relationships than most music. They work the elastomers in a suspension more completely and vigorously than playing music for the same length of time.
That said, I don't use the break-in tracks unless a cartridge is unlistenably unpleasant. If the sound is tolerable (or better) then I listen to music and enjoy the changes. Hearing what happens and thinking about why it's doing so is educational and part of the fun, and I'd rather listen to music, even "imperfect" music, than test tones.