Burn-In - Forum Members Experience

[Clive197]

In view of comments on another forum regarding 'burn-in' all being in the mind, I thought I would start a thread here to find out what esteemed members think.

My own thoughts are very much in the middle and I'm happy to sit on a fence until convinced otherwise.

[struth]

Andcwhat burn in are you referring to? Cables. Cartridges. Equipment. Or all?

[Clive197]

Andcwhat burn in are you referring to? Cables. Cartridges. Equipment. Or all?

It was a general HiFi question, therefore ALL

[Macca]

For me

Interconnects - no, never heard it
Speaker cables - thought I heard it once but it turned out to be an issue with the speakers
Amps - not bought many brand new amps in my time, but no
CD players - no
Speakers - well, brand new speakers definitely have to be run in, no-one disputes that. But I've never heard it make a noticeable difference.
Fancy Mains cables - never had a new one
Passive pre amp - yes - and I wasn't expecting it either but not a big enough difference to be totally outside the placebo exclusion zone. Turns out the resistors in the pots have to burn in a bit.

[pgarrish]

I've not heard much evidence of electrical Burn-In, but speakers certainly need to be run in. I had a pair of Tannoy HPD drivers rebuilt and the sound changed very noticeably over the first few months, I would assume as the mechanical elements like the suspension bedded in

[walpurgis]

'Burn in'? It's all Black Magic innit?

Some amplifiers and other electronics can seem to sound better after a period of use from new. But that of course could just be down to the user acclimatising to the sound. This is not the same thing as equipment sounding better after it's been on for a while though, which definitely happens. Certainly with each of my power amps and the phono stage.

Speakers definitely do 'break in', as opposed to burn in. Probably more noticeable on paper pulp coned units. I suspect this applies to an extent to all other electro-mechanical items like cartridges and even microphones. Last time I bought a new cartridge, the sound changed fairly dramatically over the first twenty hours or so of use.

As for cable burn in? I put that in the same category as directionality. I don't believe in it. Some do, but there again there are those who still believe the Earth is flat and that fairies exist!

[struth]

Well if its all....then interconnects...maybe but not heard it. Speaker cable probably same. I have heard it but proved to my self it was me.
Amps cds etc possible but not much. I know some components do but probably quite quick. Carts yes. And can vary from 20hrs to 80hrs. Mains cable. Unlikely again . speakers a bit early on but probably only first 1hr.

Would be happy to be shown it happens though

[Gazjam]

Yes. (for me)

In my experience I've noticed changes with any new kit I've had, cables, power supplies, internal components, speakers...you name it.
Some take longer than others and some are more noticable than others, but you know what...personally...I just enjoy the music and appreciate any improvement when it comes along.

Dont get caught up in the same old arguments about what causes it, is it in your head, expectation bias and all that stuff, life's too short.

[Yomanze]

Yes burn-in is real, it is measurable, BUT, your ears / mind interface also 'burns-in' to component changes, and it's difficult to separate the two out.

The only real takeaway from this is to not base a decision in the short term, and to give things a bit of time before making a judgement.

[Spectral Morn]

Yes burn-in is real, it is measurable, BUT, your ears / mind interface also 'burns-in' to component changes, and it's difficult to separate the two out.

The only real takeaway from this is to not base a decision in the short term, and to give things a bit of time before making a judgement.

Spot on and vital.

I have heard run in, and warm up on most things. Sometimes the change is subtle, sometimes its blind man on galloping horse obvious.