Strangest Transformation in Break In.

This has to be the strangest transformation in sound quality involving break in that I have experienced in my long history in Audio,

I installed new analog interconnects (Wireworld Platinum 8) from my Lumin X1 Dac/Streamer to my Ayre Twenty preamp. These cables are made from pure 7N silver wire and are quite expensive. From the moment connected I was not impressed with the cables. The music was dull. I mean really dull and lifeless. The seller claimed these were new cables and needed a few days to break in. Tweek Geek: Michael, whom I have a lot of respect for said these cables take more like 300 hours for breakin. (I wish I had bought them from him). So, I started with non-stop music playing to accelerate breakin.

And, to complicate things further, 3 days after getting the interconnects I received 8 of the Critical Mass 1.0 footers. They were placed under my Lumin X1 and my Ayre Twenty Preamp. At this time things sounded a little bit better but I was still not impressed for all the money I just spent and all the on-line glowing reviews of these products. There was something dulling the music, especially in the treble region and also severely limiting dynamics. Could these interconnects be such a mis-match with my equipment? I actually started looking for replacements.

I then read a couple of on-line reviews by Positive Feedback in which they claimed that the Critical Mass Footers go through some horrendous sonic changes. I contacted the company that I bought them from and they said they only take a couple of days to settle. It’s a mechanical thing, ok. Mmmm.

So, what the heck is going on?

Well today, after 12 days since installing the footers, you know what? It was not the interconnects; it was the footers! Now, I’m sure the interconnects needed some time to break in, and I had the double whammy going on. But the footers created a wide variance from day one to today. I encourage anyone contemplating these footers investigate the reviews. Today, after 12 days the dulling went away and the sound blossomed and sounds great!

Could it be that I purchased the CM 1.0 version and used them with some light weight equipment and that prolonged the break in process? I dunno know. But I am truly amazed at the fact that footers can change the sound so much.

BTW, The Critical Mass footers replaced Stillpoints Ultra SS.

ozzy