[FreddyE]

Can anyone explain why a "burning in" period for portable amps, and for that matter headphones, developes better sound.

 

[guzzler]

for headphones, the driver material can be stiff and needs some movement to allow it to move more easily in future...

for amps, its mainly chemical changes in the dielectric/electrolyte for the capacitors, sort of the chemical version of the headphone one...

and its for your ears too, lets you get used to a sound

g

 

[jphone]

Amps need a sort period of time to reach thermal stabilization and headphones, having moving parts, can have their mechanical properties shift a bit. The resulting changes do not always mean better sound. If something sounds bad initially to you it's rather unlikely to change through "burning in". Protracted "burn ins" just get you used to the sound of the specific equipment.

 

[FreddyE]

Thanks guzzler and jphone. Always wondered about that.