[Ispec2]

Do electronics break in being used a few hours at a time over weekends or must it be continues?

[JimJ]

Just use it. Any "break-in" that's going to occur will happen with normal use of the product anyway, I've never found a need for a specific "break-in" time that's somehow different to normal use

[nodiak]

Funny thing is I have a few new pieces over last couple of months. During break-in I noticed they sounded smoother the next day after being off all night. Might be my senses recovering  , and/or resting helped them too. Seems like a work and rest cycle is good for everything? 
Don

[ted_b]

I disagree that a rest and work cycle is good for equipment.  If it were not for tube life (and the occasional thought that the electric bill might be tough to sell) I'd leave all on all the time, assuming well-ventilated.  The power up cycle for most equipment is typically quite stressful/taxing on an electrical circuit, and a steady state is usually much easier on the issues like contraction, dilectric charging, etc.  It's not realistic, but in theory is better, IMO.

I've been breaking in Mundorf capacitors on my new speaker crossovers, a 600 hour project.  Additionally I've been breaking in some NOS tubes, etc.  At the end of the day's listening I usually leave the equipment running with a signal flowing through it (usually a burn-in test track that has sweeps, pink noise, etc.).  The kids call it aliens landing.  It's low volume but sometimes is heard as you walk by the room.

The 600 hour project is basically over, and the differences in sonics are astounding.

[nodiak]

ted_b, That's true about start up stressing equipment, and it matters. I am only speculating but it seems that after hours of playing music it might help to let the equipment ~ rest. That's what you're doing it seems to me, and without the shock of fully turning it on and off. I usually leave my cdp on all the time, but turn off the tube amp at night, per designers recommendation. It does have a delayed start because of the particular rectifier used so there is no instant shock from turn-on.
Guess it all depends on what equipments design is (which is why I used a ? after my statement).

edit: Having it at idle and warm rather than off and cold does make more sense to the break-in issue, as well as the damage issue. I can realize that point. My tube amp has a standby switch but it's recommended not to leave it in standby for more than an hour or so. Also when it is in standby and is switched to ON it jolts certain rectifiers (5y3g) but not others (5r4). When using a 5y3g and taking a break I have to turn amp OFF, wait for caps to discharge, then ON.   
Sorry to complicate the thread Ispec2 ! Just wanted to explain an odd/rare circumstance.

Don

PS. Have been appreciating the cheerleader photos and will be sad when the bet is over.  

[*Scotty*]

 Ispec2, if you have SS gear the power supply will break in if the unit is powered up. Parts that are in the signal path will only break in when signal is flowing through them,this includes coupling caps. I leave my solid state gear on 27/7/365. If I turn it off the warm up time is proportional to the down time. This is a by-product of the 4-pole Jensen caps used in the power supplies.
Scotty