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Arcam irDAC break in time and sound changes?

I recently purchased an Arcam irDAC. What sort of break in time is expected? What sound changes occur along the way?

Right now I'm using it as a front end to my AppleTV via optical which streams content from my Mac Mini and ITunes, but I might use it as a DAC for my CD player after it breaks in. Seems to be really nice build quality and well received on many reviews I've read, but I'm not sure what to expect yet on how long this break in process takes or any sound changes I might see along the way. It did open up a little bit after the first 8 hours of use, but I guess I have a ways to go...
decooney
samac's avatar
samac
492 posts
 
Hello, Decooney. That's great! I'm glad the irDac is sounding good. I hope I get a chance to hear the irDac myself soon.

Yes, I wouldn't leave the tube amps on all the time either. When I had tubes I would only have them on when I would be listening.

Enjoy your new system!
decooney OP
1,906 posts
 
I've read in several places now folks reporting 100-200 hours break in time which I find hard to believe on this type unit, but if it's true, I guess we'll see what we get once I get there.

Really glad I decided to wait and get this DAC versus a cheaper one. I have been a bit of a holdout with streaming music as a "primary" source over CD on my main audio system, but not now. With this new DAC I'm hearing things in a new way and glad I did not wait any longer. My CD player and high end FM tuner is sitting idle now more than ever even though I still enjoy all three formats. This irDAC is pretty cool. Thanks to all for your replies.
decooney OP
1,906 posts
 
Update: I've left the irDAC on for the past week solid. Yep, definitely open, clean, detailed, sounds nice. I definitely have more than 100 hours of break in time on it and it sounds even better than when it had 10 hours on it.

0s/1s or not, for anyone who is wondering like I was about a new irDAC, it's true, there definitely is an initial break in period on this device and for whatever reasons, it sounds better as it gets more time or heat to it, whatever the case may be. Sounds nice, smooth, clean, controlled, they way it's suppose to be. Even with AppleTV, it sounds pretty good for compressed audio content by simply running it through the irDAC. I run the irDAC into my integrated Tube amplifier and overall I'm pleased with the results. Is it as good as a quality mastered CD, no, but for regular listening it's definitely "good enough" for me. Glad I purchased the irDAC.
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