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New cables - To judge now or after burn in period?

I am in the midst of auditioning a host of Siltech speaker cables (Siltech Legend 380i & 680i) and interconnects (XLR and RCA - Siltech Legend 380i). Needless to say, they are quite a bit more costly than my existing QED cables (QED Genesis Silver Spiral Bi-wire & QED Signature 40 interconnects).

The Siltech cables are highly recommended by my distributor and seem to be well received by the audiophile press. However, doubts arise as upon trying them at home they do not sound as dynamic as my existing QED cables. While the highs are more resolving and I am hearing things that I have not heard before, the bass seems constricted and the music does not make my feet tap anymore.

Is that because the cables are brand new and have not been burnt in as yet? Or is it because there is no synergy between the cables and my particular system? Or is it a bit of both? If it is a burn in issue, how many hours of burn in is required before I should make a judgment as to whether I prefer the sound of the interconnects and speaker cables?

All inputs or observations are welcome.

128x128dcpillai

Showing 3 responses by stuartk

stuartk
2,432 posts
 
Sorry for my hamhandedness. . . 

Should read:

Not only did the new ones not sound particularly good but once they began to improve, the perceived gains did not last. In fact, they cycled back and forth several times before finally settling in. I almost gave up on them but I'm glad I stuck it out.
stuartk
2,432 posts
 
I'd suggest giving them more time.

I purchased my Acoustic Zen silver reference IC's having heard a burned-in pair. 

Not only did the new ones not sound partIn fact, they cycled back and forth several times before finally settling in. I almost gave up on them but I'm glad I stuck it out. 


stuartk
2,432 posts
 
"But if OP is concerned, why doesn't he ask his dealer to lend him cables that are already burnt in beyond dispute, say 1000+ hours. I am sure that will settle the issue for OP and enable him to make a rational choice without worrying whether burn-in is real or not."

One advantage of using the Cable Co's cable-lending library. . . 
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