interconnect burn in

[vrao81]

Stupid question, but if I'm burning in an interconnect, which is connected from my cd player to my headphone amp, do I need to leave my amp on while I play music, or can I leave the amp off?

 

[ServinginEcuador]

I would say leave it on. What breaks it in is when current flows thru the IC. With the amp off you get no current flow, hence no break-in.

I think there is a difference of opinion here about this, but this is my take on the matter, and my explanation.

 

[TerryKok]

Cardas says that a source signal flowing through will be enough. From the Cardas FAQ...

Cable Break-In
Q.) I have all tube electronics and don't want to leave my system unattended while I burn in the interconnects. Do I need to have everything on and playing music to burn in my new cables? - Nordoff

A.) Only the originating end needs to have signal. The cable will break in even if the terminating unit is off. To break-in the cable it needs two things, signal and stability - it should not be moved. -George


My experience with Cardas cables tells me that they need good break in to sound good, so I guess George would know his products well enough

 

[tom hankins]

LAT international gave me the same advice as Cardas gave TerryKok. That only my source needed to be on, and not the amp itself.

 

[elrod-tom]

OK...but how LONG should it take to burn in the common or garden variety I/C?

 

[tom hankins]

I have no idea I think they are all different LAT says 95 hours but doesnt have to be continous. Cardas says a couple of days.

 

[Hirsch]

Until it's done

MIT tells customers that 200 hours are needed before the sound of their cables stabilizes.

 

[millerdog]

Final Labs says two hours

 

[TerryKok]

Wow 2 hours only?

Hmm, the most common break in time i've heard of was about 150 to 200 hours but I usually prefer to split this over a couple of days rather than finish all 200 hours at one go

 

[TerryKok]

Sorry duplicate post!

 

[RobertR]

What does burn in do for a cable? I don't understand the science behind it. Has anyone done a blindfold test between a burned in cable and a non burn one?
I can sort of understand why tubes need burn in, but a metal cables qualities seem permanent from the start.

 

[tom hankins]

From what I understand the metal qualities do not change at all. The insulations used do adapt and change to the current. I guess this causes differences in there relationship with the metals. I'm sure this is probably ove simplified.

 

[TerryKok]

Yes Tom is right I believe

Quote:

The high input impedance necessary in audio equipment makes uneven dielectric charge a factor. One reason settling time takes so long is we are linking the charge with mechanical stress/strain relationships. The physical make up of a cable is changed slightly by the charge and visa versa. It is like electrically charging the cat. The physical make up of the cat is changed by the charge. It is "frizzed" and the charge makes it's hair stand on end. "Teflon Cats", cables and their dielectric, take longer to loose this charge and reach physical homeostasis.

 

[minya]

The reason cable manufacturers say you need "200 hours of break-in" is because after that 200 hours is over, the trial period is over and you can't return them after you realized you spent $1,000 on a frigging wire.

- Chris

 

[Gopher]

lol, thats one cynical theory Chris! In the case of my Kimber 8TC speaker cable however 200 hours sounds just about right. I was skeptical about burn ins myself until these cables... most dramatic changes in character I'd ever expereinced...