Why no “Break in” period?

Electronics do not have a break in period. You are only accommodating to the sound of your system. Your first impression is the right one.


As for Paul McGowen, he will tell you what ever it takes to sell his equipment. He is not Ralph Karsten, Nelson Pass or John Curl. You have to take whatever he says with a grain of salt.

Nelson Pass, John Curl, and Ralph Karsten all believe in equipment break-in, burn-in, or what ever you want to call it. The late Charles Hansen did as well.

Line conditioners have a break in period after that they sound more dynamic and open.

Time heals all wounds.

Not true.

accommodation

Never heard the word used in this way. Is this a medical term?

Electronics do not have a break in period

Either everyone is undergoing neural "accommodation" or your statement is incorrect.

That's OK Doug. You hang back and I'll light the fire.
Certain mechanical devices like cartridges and speakers do indeed have  break in periods. 
All of our central nervous systems exhibit a characteristic called accommodation. All of you have done it numerous times under a plethora of circumstances. Your ears accommodate to loud volumes. Your sense of smell accommodates to noxious odors. Your vision accommodates to lighting. You even accommodate emotionally. Time heals all wounds.
Electronics do not have a break in period. You are only accommodating to the sound of your system. Your first impression is the right one.
As for Paul McGowen, he will tell you what ever it takes to sell his equipment. He is not Ralph Karsten, Nelson Pass or John Curl. You have to take whatever he says with a grain of salt. As for PS audio, their designs have gotten better over the years and you can not argue with the business model.   

Yes, what a lovely phrase! It carries the same force as the phrase, "skepticism bias". :)

And now I return to my writing, as it is a waste of life to argue such things beyond a sentence or two. I have been known to be drawn into such things in the past, but I'm trying to reform myself.  :) 

"expectation bias"

One of the best statements to be said with new gear, and Ralph (Atmasphere) as far as I know was the first to use it here on Audiogon forums.

If you suffer from expectation bias and tend to fool yourself, you should not be in this hobby, and I have some $5k cables you might be interested in buying.

Paul McGowan- president of PS Audio states that break in is real and varies widely in the amount of time it takes for audio equipment to reach maximum performance. His company makes both stereo components and power conditioners.

He has an extensive series of  You Tube videos on audio subjects. Each is short in duration and addresses one topic. Very helpful.
David Pritchard

+1 to what millercarbon said. 
 
-1 to what georghifi said.

If someone does have noisy power putting in the conditioner will have an immediate impact.The noise floor will drop but doesn't mean that their won't be some other changes in sound as the unit breaks in.

As for expectation bias I suppose we all have it,but what do you call it when you get a new 'thing' and it's disappointing and doesn't meet expectations?I'm not able to deny to myself that the 'thing' I was so excited about acquiring sounds like shite.

Because a lot of stuff really does sound so good you notice immediately

That's called "expectation bias", and it's a beaut smoke screen, even for something you won't like in a day or so.

Cheers George

Because a lot of stuff really does sound so good you notice immediately and right out of the box. Doesn't mean it doesn't continue to improve as it burns in.