2. cables
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Cable Break In for the Naysayers

I still cannot believe that in this stage of Audio history there are still many who claim cable break in is imagined. They even go so far as claim it is our ears that break in to the new sound. Providing many studies in the way of scientific testing. Sigh...

I noticed such a recent discussion on the What’s Best Forum. So here is my response.

______________________________________________________________________________________________ I just experienced cable break in again firsthand. 10 Days ago, I bought a new set of the AudioQuest Thunderbird XLR 2M interconnects.

First impression, they sounded good, but then after about 30 hours of usage the music started sounding very closed in and with limited high frequencies. This continued until about 130 hours of music play time.

Then at this time, the cables started to open up and began to sound better and better each passing hour. I knew at the beginning they would come around because they sounded ok at first until the break in process started. But now they have way surpassed that original sound.

Now the soundstage has become huge with fantastic frequency extensions. Very pleased with the results. Scientifically I guess we can’t prove cable break in is real, but with good equipment, good ears, it is clearly a real event.

ozzy

128x128ozzy
ghdprentice
6,435 posts
 

@liquidsound 

 

+1

rtorchia's avatar
rtorchia
133 posts
 

Imagination is a powerful thing. 

raam
73 posts
 

Anyone who thinks if cannot be a possibility if it cannot be measured has a bit of a head in the sand(or a darker place)issue as we have barely begun to even design test gear capable of such measurements, let alone fully understand some of the most advanced things we actually use. We are in the dark ages compared to where we will be going in all things and I believe this particular civilazation is going to make it, unlike at least 4 before us.

raam
73 posts
 

I also believe, not know, that once past a certain point, break in, design, cost....the law of diminishing returns hits pretty hard, mostly what we start getting into is differences and those can be quite profound and enable that synergy so often talked about. I choose to do so strictly DIY as can save a fortune on it, even when I had ten times the income as I do now I still practiced that way of doing things.

veerossi
145 posts
 

I had a new power cable put into my system this week. It sounded immeditately better, but also had introduced what seemed like a phase issue for the first 2 days of 4-5 hour listening sessions. On day 3 listening session it settled into what it's supposed to sound like.

How there is even a question about cable break-in is beyond me. I have to presume either their room/ listening environment is less than ok, no enough resolution in the gear/system/ system not setup properly, or ears aren't up to par. It's real. No tin hats or flat earth BS here. 

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