component break in

Well, some components that get sold and the new owners do not like, the dealer, or makers claim it takes a long time to break in.
So long in fact that the ability to return the item passes!
Curious hey?

When a product sucks.. You should give it a few days.. then just get rid of it.

I do have to say I had a Kimber Hero balanced cable I bought new, seven meters long, which was really awful when i first connected it. (And I thought 'This Sucks") but I gave it a few days of 24/7 running and it got better enough to not just return it.

But some other items just never did get any better (actually was no better than a $200 (used) item, so the $2,000. item went back to the dealer.
Only a fool IMO, would have accepted: "it needs to break in blah blah.. "
So this all is just a warning about 'break in' used to 'trick' folks into keeping stuff that should just be returned.

On the otheer hand break in is real, and can take some time.
So it is a two edged sword.

My take is if it sucks right off, and does not get better soon... take it back.

So I use a three day test.
If it is no good after running for three days, Time to reconsider.

Break in seems to make good sounding equipment get even better. Like icing on a good cake.
And NOT turning a pig's ear into a silk purse.

So for deciding whether it is good enough to keep three days is it.
For final subtle improvements beyond that.. can go on a long time.
And it is not by type, more like by specific items..

"Break-In" could just be the length of time it takes your ears to become accustomed to the sound of new equipment added to your system.

Once an item reaches its thermal stabilized operating temperature there should be little change as long as new factors have not been introduced.

Try reading the many ,many threads already addressing this topic. The search function works quite well.

The recommended break in period for my speakers exceeds my life expectancy. I was not told this when I purchased them.

It really depends on the item. When I got my new original Dynaudio C1's I was told they need about 350 hrs to sound their best. I had never run into anything like that before. Anyhow out of the box they sounded great. BUT between 100 - 150 hrs they really sounded horrible. Highs were rolled off - bass was rolled off - mids got very shouty and I just wanted to cry. Magically just after 150 hrs they started to sound good again. At about 200 hrs they really sounded great and at 350 hrs finally settled down and sounded fantastic.

Now the only other things I have found to take a longer time to break in were new power cords and new vacuum tubes. Typically around 200 hrs. On the other hand my cdp only took about 25 hrs.

That has been my personal experience

I found only speakers really had noticeable breakin.