A very simple example might make this concept easier to grasp:
If you take an ordinary chunk of iron, and wrap a coil around it, and connect it to a voltage source, you create an electro-magnet. If you leave the coil energized for a sufficient period of time, eventually the iron core will become magnetized itself, and retain magnetic properties even with the coil de-energized. However, if left de-energized for a long enough period of time, the random polarity of the iron core will return, and it's magnetic alignment will be lost. Likewise, if you mechanically agitate the iron core, you will hasten it's return to random polarity of the material.
These changes in the alignment of field charges within a material do not usually occur in a matter of seconds, minutes, or hours. Essentially all materials undergo some level of adaptation when immersed in an electric or magnetic field, and their electrical properties will definitely change as this adaption occurs. Likewise, in the absence of a charge or field, these materials will eventually return to their original, steady-state condition.
An additional factor is thermal cycling of components and chassis materials. The electrical properties of components will absolutely change following thermal cycling, and similarly the resonant frequency of structural materials will vary with temperature.
The issue is not whether or not these phenomenon occurs, because it is indisputable. It is also indisputable that changes in component performance result from these phenomenon. The most important point is that the changes are as likely to degrade performance as they are to enhance performance. This is the "ART" in designing high-end audio equipment. If the interaction of physical materials, electrical and magnetic fields, heating & cooling, etc... were not so complex, anybody could make make equipment that performed as well as anybody elses.
If someone is not able to discern the audible changes brought on by what we refer to as "break-in", then they are probably the lucky ones, and they will should be very satisfied with their Wave radio.
Mike
