Ok gang here is the results of my first listening test after 200 hours of burn in:
I figured I would try and use something for a non subjective test first. So I measured average and peak SPL of 2 songs just to see if there is any difference in amplitude between the two. really does not prove much but here are the numbers regardless:
first up Fagens I.G.Y
MA cable avg SPL 75.0 max SPL (peak) 80.2
AQ cable avg SPL 73.3 max SPL (peak) 82.3
Charles LLoyd track 1 side A
MA cable avg SPL 70.1 max SPL (peak) 81.2
AQ cable avg SPL 71.1 max SPL (peak) 81.4
pretty close actually except for the Fagen track. the MA cable seemed to smooth out the song and possibly tame some frequency in the recording. Not sure how to really interpret that because its very possible that could also be a result of missing information.
In regards to overall sound quality I have to say my impression was a little different than on Sat when I first installed them. I was actually drawn into the music this time, and to me the system sounded very good. In listening to and comparing the system between the two cables today I have to admit that it seemed a lot more closer of a race than on Sat. I found myself actually rooting for the MA cable. I still think at this stage the edge has to still go to the AQ cable but in my humble opinion, honestly I would have to say that the cable has improved with burn in. After recording the SPL levels I took another listen and this time without being distracted by the SPL meter, and my opinion did not change, and as hard as it is to be wrong I have to conclude that today the system sounds better using the MA cable than it did on Sat.
Now lets be realistic. There is no way that I can remember exactly the way things sounded on Sat. I know this, but I'm in no way new to this and I know my system like the back of my hand, and Saturday immediately I could tell something was not right.. today not so much that's all I'm saying. Could it have been my cold?? maybe, but remember I bought this cable expecting it to be an upgrade so my hopes were pretty high going in. So its not like I wanted it to sound bad from the start. Take from it what you will.
Still further testing to do as I want the cable to finish the 400 hours, and I still want to A/B it with the first recording I made on Sat of the Fagen track. I also still want to have the 3 other people I mentioned listen to that recording of the same cable pre and post burn in just to solidify the result.