Interconnect Break In?

Ozzy - Thank you.

Jason - I agree that cleaning contacts periodically is helpful, so thank you too. I suspect that there are some early changes that happen based on what I hear and then eventual oxidation.

Willy- Yes, ears / brain definitely adjust to the new sound, particularly when a new component brings more detailer or richer sound. It’ll sometimes take me some hours to be able to process all of it. Yet I’ve also heard dramatic differences after 50 or 100 or more hours with power cords, interconnects, speaker cables, cartridges (where once the bass dropped out before returning after playing 20 hours or so later) and equipment sounds that I’ll say that’s part of it too. Thank you.

Me too. A lot of great ideas. I appreciate so many people taking the time to share their experiences and knowledge!

Audphile1 - The retailer said 150-200 hours so in the same range as you. Thanks.

Zlone - I've noticed that used cables take a few days to settle in as well. Amazing that it would be this sensitive but here we are. Thanks.

Mark 200 I saw that some are cryoing cables too to speed break in too. I'll wait for a cold winter day and put them outside for a few hours. LOL

Audphile1 and Jay - do you know why it would or wouldn't need to be on? I guess this is a technical question that's above my pay grade. Thanks!

GHD, that’s great advice. Thankyou. I should’ve just put these on a spare NAD receiver I have and let it run. I was too impatient and put it right into my system. I may move it but that involves moving a cabinet.

JEA- Its a CJ tube preamp. Any idea of whether that is still ’on’ in standby?

Logistics - I have had the same problem. Especially when I switch from plain to peanut M&M’s 200 hours later. 

Well, if Ozzy and Audphile1 agree, I'm sold. Thank you for the insights. 

Tent- That sounds like the way to go. With WFH  and weekend listening I get a good 25+ hours/week and the cables already sound good. Thanks.

GB McLeod- Fortunately these aren't Nordosts, so the break in is less excruciating than what your went through.

PHD/GHD/Mark2000/Z-lone - Thank you for sharing your break-in views too. I'd add that all of this does point out the benefits of buying used cords sometimes, but in this case what I wanted wasn't available used.

Awesome thread. Thanks everyone!

Just off the phone with CJ and the preamp does need to be on for current to flow and cable break in. (Streamer playing and that input selected of course as well.) Ozzy, Audphile1, JEA and whoever also said that are spot on and thank you.

Bug Red - interesting thought altho wouldn’t massive current damage the wire? If some voltage level could do that quickly without damage to make break-in very fast perhaps Cable manufacturers would be doing it?

ASV Jerry - thanks? Maybe what’s best is advice from Quicksilver Messenger Service: Have another hit...of fresh air.

Happy listening +1