2. cables
  3. 1235181140

If cables can break-in, can they then wear-out?

The phenomenon of cable break-in (is it really dielectric break-in?) must be physical to the cable/dielectric/insulator/termination, therefore will extended use wear out the cable?
I do not mean metal wear from plugging in and removing, either. I am assuming permanent installation.

In my opinion it's as much our ears getting acquainted as it is break-in.
mcintech
bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
for many years I never believed it either...
however
y'all have a lot to learn!
danmyers
135 posts
 
Theo, meet Bob :)
t_bone
1,182 posts
 
Yes, they wear out (except for Cardas, it seems). Feel free to contact me through Audiogon. I offer a free recycling service for cables and other high-end audio equipment. I even pay for shipping.
mr_hosehead
200 posts
 
Heathens! Y'all must become one with the cable...

Well, that is for 12 to at most 24 months (depending upon usage patterns) at which time they will have become so tired and worn that they cannot transport your precious electrons with safety and efficiency and you must do your duty and relieve them of their burden by replacing them (whilst we relieve your wallet of it's contents). And don't even think of recycling them - that would be unpatriotic in these troubled economic times...

Lord, I apologize for that right there, and please be with the starvin' pygmies down there in New Guinea, A-men
rcrerar
215 posts
 
As far as the ears getting acquainted as opposed to cables breaking in , I would have to disagree from personal experience. I have had the opportunity to compare a couple of different interconnect and speaker cables from different manufacturers both new and fully broken in. These were pairs of identical cables, except one was new and one was broken in. Every time there was an easily discernible difference in the sound of a new cable and one that was broken in. The differences were not subtle. I'm not claiming an improvement in sound, or no improvement in sound for that matter, just that there was a easily heard difference.
More to discover