Break-in experiences with VSA speakers

rlw3 · « **on:** 26 Nov 2010, 08:19 pm »

How long did it take you to break-in yours? what did you hear at certain stages of time? how long did it finally take to be a 100% there? how loud did you play? what cd's did you like? i have 125 hrs on my vr-35's and hear big changes every 30 hrs or so.

es347 · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Nov 2010, 09:15 pm »

about 400 hrs. on my VR5 Anniversaries..

JackD201 · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Nov 2010, 06:34 am »

Changes every 30 to 40 hours is similar to what I experienced.

With my VR-5 SEs and later my VR-9s spec'd with V-Caps, I had a bit of a roller coaster ride as the tweeter caps burned in. This is consistent with other anecdotal reports from people who have used teflon capacitors.

I did not keep a detailed log but I'd say the highs and mids were stable at between 300 and 350 hours and the entire system was stable at around 800. I did not have the luxury of playing very loudly lest the neighbors complain.

es347 · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Nov 2010, 02:38 pm »

What, no graphs?? I had several on semi-log paper but the dog ate them

afterfire · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Dec 2010, 01:52 pm »

same here with my Unifield one, rollercoaster

but it will get more stable overtime. I have reached about 200h or so

es347 · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Dec 2010, 02:51 pm »

I guess we all tend to lose perspective with our systems over time but I gotta tell you, I truly cannot imagine improving on what I have now. Being immersed in this hobby, contrary to the audiophile mantra "it's all about the music" (bull roar!) leads to upgrade-itis and I'm not immune to that but it's very hard to justify changing anything that I have....really! There seems to be an incredible synergy between McIntosh electronics and VSA speakers, both the VR4 Sr MkIIs I had previously and the VR5 Anniversaries that I currently own.

ceedee · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Dec 2010, 05:13 pm »

When an Orchestra becomes a new conductor, it will take a few concerts to get the level this new condutor wants the Orchestra to be at. Only if he is the right conductor for the Orchestra and the musicians are able to play at this level.
So it is just a matter of matching and time.

Be patient and enjoy every day of the music still growing.

rlw3 · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Dec 2010, 11:17 pm »

450 hours on my vr 35s and things are getting much better especially when the music gets congested. i now have the ability to run the system 24 hours a day while i am away on biz so the hours acrue in big amounts while i am away making the comparisons and differences easier to hear. next stop herbies audio for some decoupling action... happy holidays to all.

neyloj2 · « **Reply #8 on:** 29 Dec 2010, 10:41 pm »

Big difference at about 150 hours and then at 200. Huge bass improvement in my VR33's

rlw3 · « **Reply #9 on:** 18 Jan 2011, 07:33 pm »

i have almost 900 hours on my vr-35s. the mids and highs continue to open up with more nuance and detail. the speakers seem to have gotten louder given the same numerical volume from my cj preamp. i have never experienced this before and dont think it is my imagination. maybe it is all the caps breaking in-has anyone else heard this effect?

JackD201 · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 Jan 2011, 01:32 pm »

I imagine, efficiency increases or rather the load on the amp decreases as the surrounds soften up on the woofers. No numerical display on my pre but yes less clicks to achieve the same level of detail retrieval, it also probably has something to do with the bass being cleaner.

wimck · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 Jan 2011, 07:14 pm »

I thought my Unifield 3's were at 100% after about 500 hours but I think they still sound better by time.
I think I have a break in time of a couple of thousand hours now.

they are really great!!!!

es347 · « **Reply #12 on:** 21 Jan 2011, 09:48 pm »

Nice setup wimick. If those are your speakers with the M/T units sitting on vibrapods, be aware that vibrapods can damage finishes.

bartc · « **Reply #13 on:** 25 Jan 2011, 02:42 am »

Albert knows his own speakers very well indeed. They recommended 400 hours for the woofers on my VR1s and that's about the time it took for those drivers to get into their best form. That was years ago. Now it's just enjoyment, enjoyment, enjoyment!

wimck · « **Reply #14 on:** 28 Jan 2011, 12:15 pm »

@es347 I did use the vibrapods for only one week and removed them after several warnings! Now I think they don't need them.
Same with placing try-outs, after a couple of movements the position was again the same as Cor putted them on his perfect stands on the great day he brought them here.
It's just perfect now, enjoyment, enjoyment, enjoyment!

es347 · « **Reply #15 on:** 28 Jan 2011, 02:21 pm »

Hey wimck...so you bought your speakers from Cor. Where are you located? You can count on Cor to take good care of you. Enjoy!

wimck · « **Reply #16 on:** 6 Feb 2011, 06:32 pm »

Hi es347,

I live in Holland! The country where Cor lives too!
And ...yes, Cor is a nice guy indeed!

es347 · « **Reply #17 on:** 6 Feb 2011, 07:05 pm »

Afterimage · « **Reply #18 on:** 23 Feb 2011, 09:28 am »

About how loud or what recommended decibel levels do you guys break them in at? I always did 75 and above. it ticks my wife off, but got to do it. Of course it doesn't help that I am a crazy audiophile that buys new speakers every year and have been through the process so many times.

JackD201 · « **Reply #19 on:** 23 Feb 2011, 10:29 am »

About 80 for me. I use the inverted polarity, faced together, cover with blanket thing when in a pinch (aka moody missus).