What Exactly Does "Burn In" do for Electronics?

06-17-14: Mapman
Makes sense.

I do think I hear a difference with some new power cords, but so subtle its hard to be certain.

These can be a bit different sound, as they have earth, neutral and live. Some shifty mains cable makers swap the neutral and live around, while all still works, they are attached then different within the primary winding of the equipment's mains transformer, as it has an outer feed and inner feed.

And this even though it's AC can this sound different, making the user think it's the actual mains cable itself causing the difference.

You can prove this to yourself with some cdp's that only have a two wire main cable with a reversable 2 pin mains plug on the back of them, each way sounds different to the other even though it's the same cable and plug.

Cheers George

"06-16-14: Almarg

06-16-14: Zd542
I have some Cardas cables that take forever. 100's of hours.

ZD, as I'm sure you realize I have great respect for your experience and your sonic perceptions. But a question: How do you know that the improvement you are perceiving after 100's of hours is due to the cables, and not to something else in the system that has changed in the meantime? Or, for that matter, something that has changed in the AC power, or even the temperature or humidity of the room?"

As far as knowing for certain that the sound I get with Cardas cables before and after break in, is actually due to break in, is that I can't know for certain. That said, its the only explanation that makes sense; at least to me. My system's usually don't change too much, so I don't have to deal with trying to listen around other changes in equipment (For the most part. I'm sure that there were some cases where I changed equipment during the burn in process.). The main thing that leads me to believe the results I get are due to break in is consistency. With my Cardas cables (Golden Reference), the cables have a sound when they are new, and a different sound when they are broken in. But its always the same. Also, they all take about the same time to notice the change. I wouldn't say 800 hours, though. Somewhere between 300-400. That's with a CD player on repeat playing white noise, 24 hours a day.

Could the break in really be due to a change in the AC? Its possible, but I don't think its very likely. I've done multiple pairs of the exact same cable, all with the same results. If the AC was to blame, you could just as easily get the sound that is the end result (after burn in) first, and then burn in to what the cables sound like originally, when new. Or, there could just be no change at all. Even if you've had issues with sound changing due to AC, it doesn't mean it has to be a factor every time. So, that's why I rule out AC. The results seem to be too consistent.

Temperature and humidity? Al, you have me on that one. I never checked. lol. I have no idea how much of a factor that will be. Some of my equipment is in FL, and the rest in NY. Humidity and temp in FL is fairly consistent. In NY it is not.

Just to sum up, break isn't something that any audiophile should be worried about. I feel that time is much better spent focusing on other topics. In the end, everyone gets the same results. If break in does happen, it doesn't matter if you believe in it or not. It will take care of itself all on its own, with a little time. And if it doesn't happen, or you can't hear it for some reason, you still have the same end result.

"All I can think is ... if you can't hear it then maybe your system isn't as resolving as you think"

Maybe you're right but maybe your wrong and it's all in your head and you just happen to be a person that's easily duped? Could be, that's all I'm saying.
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Jax ... in some cases I might agree with you, but in others the change is so profound that there is no way to mistake the change. Dull, uninvolving, 1 dimensional, no dynamics, no top or bottom end slam ... changes to ... open, airy, extended, 3 dimensional, exciting, slamming sound that you just can't stop yourself from getting up and dancing musical enjoyment.

It doesn't matter that it took 2 weeks to get there, you can easily hear it.

ZD, thanks for the thorough response. I will say that when it comes to reports of phenomena that are difficult or impossible to explain, I would have a good deal more confidence in yours than in those of many others, who often seem to not consider the possibility that the perceived change may be caused by something other than what is being assessed.

George, thanks as well for the inputs in your two posts. All I can say is "wow," to both of them.

Best regards,
-- Al

I tend to agree with Jaxwired. Humans are extremely fallible regarding subtle sensory perceptions and despite what some people allege, high end audio is about subtle differences. This doesn't mean cable break-in doesn't occur, but that we should take these observations with a grain of salt.