Haven’t done any FDA-mandated, double-blind studies but I’m of a similar opinion as RVP. Processing signal vs simply powered up seems necessary to reach some kind of optimum performance level. Pink noise getcha there faster than music? Dunno, but track 9 from the XLO Test and Burn-In CD is the weapon of choice. Have been listening to a low power Class A ss amp from First Watt over the last week or so. Less than 100 hours on it now. It sounds good after the first hour playing music but after 6+ hours or so, it is really magic...or at least that’s what I think which, ultimately, is all that matters in this pastime.