Break-in

All you need to do is to a/b compare two identical pieces of equipment, one brand new and one broken in. I have done that with my Sony SACD player and the difference was very obvious.

I can't recall seeing anyone report that a component sounded worse after break-in. I'd say your suspicions are warranted.

I have never had a component sound worse after break-in. But that's all that means. Not sounding worse doesn't always mean tympanic happiness, for this audiophool.....peace, warren

Try this logic - if you are a product designer, and you know your widget changes its characteristics from its new state to its well broken-in state, do you optimize its performance for the new state, which exists only for a short time, or for the broken-in state, which lasts a long time? I think any intelligent designer would do the latter. I think this explains why some products work a little better after being broken-in.

Nighthawk: Good answer. That's assuming, of course, that the break-in of all the individual components inside a piece is highly predictable. Otherwise, the equipment designers would be guessing -- at least to some degree.

Anyway, I know measurements don't tell the whole story, but I wonder if any of this is measurable. Has anyone done any before and after measurements of speakers, amps, preamps, CD players, etc.? Thanks for your responses.