How much does volume matter when breaking in amps and cables?

It is all quite real. Everything, ime, requires some time to break in, or " settle ", and this is determined by listening, nothing more, nothing less. No measurements, just listening. It is easier to hear, if ( 1 ) you have a system that is highly resolving ( 2 ) a system familiar to you; ( 3) constant, and consistent, with minimal changes in the system; ( 4 ) with music you have heard over and over again; ( 5 ) the ability to listen, with excellent, and sometimes, experienced listening; ( 6 ) , and with, maybe, a trained ear, to hear this break in, warm up, settling in. 

Tecknik, interesting point. In fact, I do not know of a high end manufacturer, that states their equipment sounds optimum as soon as you plug it in and start playing music. So many products owners manuals, written by the engineers and designers, talk about the breaking in process. As far as kosst and others, they are measurement people, and go by the " if it can't be measured, it can't be heard ". Just need to ignore them, 'cause they keep coming back. Enjoy ! MrD.