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  1. #1
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    Break In Period...

    ...I've read that the break in period for new speakers and other electronic components is maybe 300 hours or more. Got my new system last February and I'd estimate I have perhaps 200 hours or a little more on it. I can definitely hear the difference. Just curious if there will be any more noticeable difference? The system sounds awesome. Can't imagine it sounding much better.
    Amplifier: Pass Labs INT 250 integrated.

    DAC/Streamer: MSB Discrete Dual Power Supply.

    Server: Roon Nucleus with lifetime subscription.

    Speakers: Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary
    Model.

    Headphones/Amp: Focal Stellia phones, NAIM Uniti Atom Headphone Edition headphone amp/music player/server/streamer.

    Cables: AudioQuest Rocket 88 speaker cables,
    Mackenzie interconnects.

    Speaker Stands: HiFi Man.

  2. #2
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    Re: Break In Period...

    Only 200 hours in 6 months! You should be ashamed. JK, of course.
    Gary
    Main: Lumin A1, Accuphase E-650, Tannoy Canterbury GR, Shunyata, Audience
    Secondary: Lumin M1, Linton Heritage, Shunyata, Audience

  3. #3
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    Re: Break In Period...

    Quote Originally Posted by bluegrassphile View Post
    ...I've read that the break in period for new speakers and other electronic components is maybe 300 hours or more. Got my new system last February and I'd estimate I have perhaps 200 hours or a little more on it. I can definitely hear the difference. Just curious if there will be any more noticeable difference? The system sounds awesome. Can't imagine it sounding much better.
    it's far more 'you' breaking in than your components, but feel free to believe what you want to .........
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  4. #4
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    Re: Break In Period...

    In my experience I hear a fairly substantial difference in the first 50 hours in almost every new component. Brand new most components that I have purchased are fairly bright and on the harsh side. They substantially smooth out in the first 50 hours and pretty much are in their best state in about 100 hours.

    My friend who owns and builds several renowned brand names of gear has stated and printed in some of his manuals that the pieces will usually continue with subtle improvements until about 300 hours.
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

    “One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
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  5. #5
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    Re: Break In Period...

    Breakin, I always do like my Porsche dealer ( Brumos Jacksonville) told me once when I had a 911, drive it like you stole it. Equates, to play non-stop music like crazy as soon as you get a component.
    2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)

  6. #6
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    Re: Break In Period...

    I would think with only 200 hours the speakers would for sure have a bit more to go.

    I was wondering what happened to you, I thought with the new system you were probably trapped between the speakers.

    The notion we get used to the sound opposed to break in is ridiculous. There have been components whose sound wasn't right with me, I NEVER got used to it and they eventually had to go.
    Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
    Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
    Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
    Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables

    HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
    SVS PC13 Ultra
    Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
    Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
    Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer

  7. #7
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    Re: Break In Period...

    Quote Originally Posted by Mikado463 View Post
    it's far more 'you' breaking in than your components, but feel free to believe what you want to .........
    At 70 y/o I would think I'd be pretty well broken in?
    Amplifier: Pass Labs INT 250 integrated.

    DAC/Streamer: MSB Discrete Dual Power Supply.

    Server: Roon Nucleus with lifetime subscription.

    Speakers: Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary
    Model.

    Headphones/Amp: Focal Stellia phones, NAIM Uniti Atom Headphone Edition headphone amp/music player/server/streamer.

    Cables: AudioQuest Rocket 88 speaker cables,
    Mackenzie interconnects.

    Speaker Stands: HiFi Man.

  8. #8
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    Re: Break In Period...

    Quote Originally Posted by bluegrassphile View Post
    At 70 y/o I would think I'd be pretty well broken in?
    Nah, just a spring chicken .... equipment breakin is real (within reason).
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

    “One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
    "You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
    ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

  9. #9
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    Re: Break In Period...

    I have the new system playing even when I'm not in the listening room, for break in purposes. I'll continue that until I get to about 300 hours or so. It's really starting to sound sweet.
    Amplifier: Pass Labs INT 250 integrated.

    DAC/Streamer: MSB Discrete Dual Power Supply.

    Server: Roon Nucleus with lifetime subscription.

    Speakers: Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary
    Model.

    Headphones/Amp: Focal Stellia phones, NAIM Uniti Atom Headphone Edition headphone amp/music player/server/streamer.

    Cables: AudioQuest Rocket 88 speaker cables,
    Mackenzie interconnects.

    Speaker Stands: HiFi Man.

  10. #10
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    Re: Break In Period...

    Quote Originally Posted by bluegrassphile View Post
    At 70 y/o I would think I'd be pretty well broken in?
    agreed and with that being said don't get too hung up on 'hours' , enjoy the music from the get-go. I'm only 4 years behind you, no telling if we will be around for another 300 plus hours ! ............
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  11. #11
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    Re: Break In Period...

    Yeah, I don't disagree with break-in, just the amount of hours one claims, its the extreme side where you won’t know until 500 hours, just not for me, others seem to fair ok with it, all subjective IMO.
    Source Analog: Kuzma Stabi R w/4point 11 arm | Kuzma 50 Cartridge
    Source Digital: Aurender N10 | Brinkmann Nyquist MK II
    Amplification: Dan D’Agostino Momentum HD and M400’s | Boulder 508
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  12. #12
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    Re: Break In Period...

    Yeah, I don't disagree with break-in, just the amount of hours one claims, its the extreme side where you won’t know until 500 hours, just not for me, others seem to fair ok with it, all subjective IMO.
    Source Analog: Kuzma Stabi R w/4point 11 arm | Kuzma 50 Cartridge
    Source Digital: Aurender N10 | Brinkmann Nyquist MK II
    Amplification: Dan D’Agostino Momentum HD and M400’s | Boulder 508
    Speakers: Wilson Alexias
    Cabling: Nordost Leif, Norse, V2 and Odin
    Power and Isolation: Audio-Ultra Home & Room Power Foundation Performance Package with StromTank S1000 | HRS









  13. #13
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    Re: Break In Period...

    Quote Originally Posted by UltraFast69 View Post
    Yeah, I don't disagree with break-in, just the amount of hours one claims, its the extreme side where you won’t know until 500 hours, just not for me, others seem to fair ok with it, all subjective IMO.
    There was one manufacturer the name escapes me, had a 10 day return, but the break in period they claimed was 500 hours, makes ya wonder.
    2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)

  14. #14
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    Re: Break In Period...

    Quote Originally Posted by UltraFast69 View Post
    Yeah, I don't disagree with break-in, just the amount of hours one claims, its the extreme side where you won’t know until 500 hours, just not for me, others seem to fair ok with it, all subjective IMO.
    There was one manufacturer the name escapes me, had a 10 day return, but the break in period they claimed was 500 hours, makes ya wonder.
    2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)

  15. #15
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    Re: Break In Period...

    Quote Originally Posted by CPP View Post
    There was one manufacturer the name escapes me, had a 10 day return, but the break in period they claimed was 500 hours, makes ya wonder.
    Wow, a manufacturer claiming the need for 500 hrs ??? utterly ridiculous .............
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  16. #16
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    Re: Break In Period...

    Quote Originally Posted by Mikado463 View Post
    Wow, a manufacturer claiming the need for 500 hrs ??? utterly ridiculous .............
    Go that right.
    2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)

  17. #17
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    Re: Break In Period...

    So true!
    Amplifier: Pass Labs INT 250 integrated.

    DAC/Streamer: MSB Discrete Dual Power Supply.

    Server: Roon Nucleus with lifetime subscription.

    Speakers: Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary
    Model.

    Headphones/Amp: Focal Stellia phones, NAIM Uniti Atom Headphone Edition headphone amp/music player/server/streamer.

    Cables: AudioQuest Rocket 88 speaker cables,
    Mackenzie interconnects.

    Speaker Stands: HiFi Man.

  18. #18
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    Re: Break In Period...

    My $.02

    The only real way to see if they are full of s... or not is to have a product with over 500 hours on it and compare it to the same product out of the box. And then at 50 - 100 etc hours.

    I have done this experiment several times and ... unfortunately it seems that they are right more times as they are wrong. Voodoo I tell ya -- but it DOES make a difference. Just like after 10,000 hours they don't sound as good. Mostly the caps - which is why some manufacturers will re-cap your older units to get them back into tip top shape -- but that's a whole other discussion.
    Jock

    If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters.

    ---------

    House: Naim ND555/2PS, Naim 552, Naim 500, Studer A80/Doshi V3, Magico M2s, 2 Magico Q-Sub 15s, Lumina IC/SC, Shunyata Everest and Omega PCs.

    Workshop: Naim ND555/2 PS, VAC Master Pre, VAC Sig 200iQ, Border Patrol pre/power, Avant Garde Duo Mezzo XD, 2 Magico Q-Sub 15s, Shunyata IC/SC, Shunyata Typhon QR/Triton V3/Sigma PCs.

  19. #19
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    Re: Break In Period...

    I always wondered if the breakin is not the equipment but the "brain"
    2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)

  20. #20

    Re: Break In Period...

    The manual for my new Ayon piece says 30 to 50 hours for break in. I think CPP is correct in saying the listener also gets broken in.

  21. #21
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    Re: Break In Period...

    I’m an engineer and was wondering how you could possibly break in and listen to every change you make in a circuit for 500 hours. On another forum someone was claiming you had to break in each individual filter selection on a DAC for 300 hours. There were seven of them. That’s 1500 hours of break in. Hmmmm.
    Tom

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    Amati Homage VOX Center,
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    MC 602 for the rears
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  22. #22
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    Re: Break In Period...

    Dupe
    Tom

    Audio:
    Amati Futura Mains
    Amati Homage VOX Center,
    Proac Response 1sc Rears,
    Three MC2301's for L,C,R
    MC 602 for the rears
    C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 77
    Nottingham Dais with Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation
    SurfacePro 3, JRiver, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC

    Video:
    MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material.

    Lake House:
    Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 80, Rega P3

    OnDeck:
    McIntosh MAC 4300v

  23. #23
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    Re: Break In Period...

    Quote Originally Posted by W9TR View Post
    I’m an engineer and was wondering how you could possibly break in and listen to every change you make in a circuit for 500 hours. On another forum someone was claiming you had to break in each individual filter selection on a DAC for 300 hours. There were seven of them. That’s 1500 hours of break in. Hmmmm.
    as an engineer you should know that where energy flows......

  24. #24
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    Re: Break In Period...

    The comment section got out of had and was disabled...High-End Audio Break-In Is BS - YouTube

  25. #25
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    Re: Break In Period...

    break-in, another read .........

    Speaker Break In: Fact or Fiction? | Audioholics
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  26. #26
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    Re: Break In Period...

    break-in, another read .........

    Speaker Break In: Fact or Fiction? | Audioholics
    Cheers ! …. Dave

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Break In Period...

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