[alan m. kafton]

The key problem is which buds are more effective. I vote that you take it upon yourself to conduct a detailed study noting the effect, duration, and results of your "application". Oh, also see if you can come up with some measurements regarding all the above.

Good luck in your endeavor.

[macrojack]

Testing.............Tesss tttting...............

[Kevin Haskins]

Ha.... grass will definitely improve the sound.   You don't even need a study to prove it.    I remember watching Pink Floyd "The Wall" and thinking wow.... this is awesome.    Talk about stretching the soundstage, it was totally enveloping.    Even over the cruch cruch crunch of the bag of Cheetos.   

[macrojack]

I'm kidding but I'm not. There is a strange assumption among audiophiles that their hearing/perception is the constant in every evaluation. Truth be told it is the most unreliable of all variables. While I wouldn't presume to state that break-in is a myth, I will assert that the listener's function is too deviant to be treated as the basis for appraisal. Just blowing your nose, or your cool, can have an enormous effect on how well the music reaches you.

Is there an ashtray here somewhere?

[Packfill]

Let's stipulate to burn-in for a moment, my question is why put a product out into the market that's going to sound sub-par out of the box? Given the possible negative consumer reaction, even with "disclosure",  you would think that the manufacturer would just do the burn in themselves, especially given the component's high price and the small footprint that the DAC would occupy while burning in on their factory shelf.  It seems to me that this is the kind of thing that gives the high end audio industry its flaky reputation.

[K Shep]

Pack,

I disagree with the flaky reputation, hopefully my disagreement is due to my adolescence in the community.  Perhaps the further we dig to get the best out of our equipment or the best out of our dollar the more questions we uncover.  I have had the opportunity to speak directly with the Principles of a couple of the high end manufacturers and have found that these gentlemen, of course have there own points of view, however were not flaky in their willingness and ablility to answer my questions and give sound advise.

Kirk

[sts9fan]

I have an idea!
  Look at circuits that are designed for accurate measurement and see if they are designed to take into consideration 'drift' in the values of the components that make up the circuit?
  Things like oscilloscopes, why do they need callibrating every year, answer that and you answer the question of does break in exist.   Logged

Calibration does not mean adjustment.  It means that you run tests to prove it is still accurate.  I get my timers "calibrated" every year.  Do you think they adjust the timing?  I get TONS of precision electronic equipment "calibrated" every year.  All it is is a document proving it still works just like last year. 

[Browntrout]

The funny thing is that break-in occurs whether you believe in (or understand) it or not.

[sts9fan]

The real funny thing is that stating something is true does not make it so. 

[Pez]

Nor does objecting disprove it. 

[sts9fan]

I feel I made the last response containing a point

[Pez]

I object!

[K Shep]

...you would think that the manufacturer would just do the burn in themselves...

I do agree with this point.  I also realize the added man hours (labor) that it would take to accomplish.  Perhaps Wayner or Frank will chime in and answer this.

[rockadanny]

Manufacturers for my speakers and power amp did just that. Not fully, but got the gear on its way.

[Browntrout]

The real funny thing is that stating something is true does not make it so.

The really really funny thing is that the truth is known to all, what everything comes down to in the end is whether you believe the truth or choose to believe the false.

[sts9fan]

Your statment is obviously incorrect.  If it was know to ALL then these debates would not occur.  Also what is your response to my retort of you calibration myth?   

[Browntrout]

My response is 

[Kevin Haskins]

I think my speakers sound better before they are broken-in.    I don't want to rob my customers of that magical first 24 hours of enjoyment so I don't break them in.   

The catch is that if you want to continue getting the "BEST" out of them, the woofers have to be replaced every 24 hours.   That is just the way it is.... nothing I can do about it.   If you want the best, you have to pay the price to replace them on a regular basis.    aa

 

[Pez]

  now that is the way to move porduct.