Digital output, does it require 'burn in' ?

[Paul]

Hi all
I Just wanted to know if a digital output on a cd player ( mine) needs time to 'burn in'.
The reason for this is I recently aquired an Arcam Alpha 5+ CDP for a few quid and as far as I can tell ( the guy demo'd it for me) it was only ever run via its analog outputs to the amp, and has had verl light use.

I plugged it into my DAC and found the sound was great, sound field and detail was huge compared to the BDP I was using (as expected) but it seemed to be a little too much in the higher spectrum , to the point where I felt it over exagerated the mid/treble to such an extent It annoyed me and I ended up switching it off.
I kept going and now 1 month in the sound is much smoother in the mid/treble and now I cant get enough of it.
All in a fantastic buy , just a little confused as to how such an old player can change sooooo much
Cheers

Paul

[Reid Malenfant]

Were or should i say are you using the S/PDIF output (phono plug)?

If so it could be a combination of a few things. 1. The cable being used has now settled in & 2. The isolation transformer that connects to the S/PDIF connector on the player having now been used is settling in.

I'm not sure if they happen to have a 75ohm or other load resistor accross the secondary of that tiny transformer, if so it'd be down to the cable you are using more than likely.

If you are using Toslink i have no idea

[Paul]

Sorry should have said, using S/PDIF as it doesnt have a TOSLINK out. the cable is the Beresford TRC-222 I was using to connect the BDPlayer so it wont be that.
Cheers
Paul

[YNWaN]

No - why should it?

I suspect that it is you that has become accustomed to the sound (in the intervening month), rather than the equipment altering in performance (no less real a change).

[Paul]

No - why should it?

Sorry , dont understand your reply?

[YNWaN]

I Just wanted to know if a digital output on a cd player ( mine) needs time to 'burn in'.

It was in response to the first line of your OP "no - why should it?" (why should it need to burn in?)

[Paul]

I guess then it could well be as you have described , just me getting used to the sound , I've never had such a 'wide open top end ' before.

[DSJR]

I suspect it's because you've got used to it.

I ought to say, however, that it is my experience (for some unkown reason) that equipment does seem to need a touch of "electrical annealing." This cannot be measured too well, but I've heard this on a number of occasions. It's only a small difference if indeed it exists.

Glad you're happy with the sound you're getting At least the CD transport is servicable I think.