... what is Settling Time in cables and interconnects...

@cakyol.....yes, I had forgotten about that. I also found when my system was fired up in Antarctica, due to the extreme sun angle and during a raging blizzard that it’s sound quality diminished.......somewhat. So I just took all my cables and dragged them around out in the snow.....problem solved!

... I will probably put my foot in my mouth by attempting to ask (another) question: I find very few manufacturers' break-in their power cords or interconnects - so since most agree this is something to do, why don't they?

Why don't manufactures break in stuff? MONEY. To fiddle around breaking in stuff they would first need to have the equipment to do it, then the statf just for that. If you want to pay an additional $250 per.. Some places that sell outlets and such WILL break them in/burn them in for a fee. Usually $10 to $25.Some companies break in electronics. But THAT is done to avoid returns. Breaking it themselves before YOU get it ... is CHEAPER.(it really is all about the money)

elizaeth: thank you ...

It’s actually because they don’t know about it. They don’t even break in their stuff for the big shows. Which isn’t really too swift. But hey! C’est la vie, as they say in Des Moines.