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Cable Settling???

Bought an amplifier from Reno Hi Fi,Pass Labs 350.5, that has spade only connectors for speakers and balanced and rca connectors for preamp. Purchased a new balanced cable also. Went thru an ugly break in period for about three weeks with about 50-60 hours of music being played. Its a frustrating time when you break in cables but perhaps changing connectors on my speaker wires to spades didn't help matters either. Was ready to throw in the towel but when I came home this weekend all had changed for the better. I only play music on the weekends as I am out of town during the rest of the week. Not sure what happened but I am sure that putting hours on the new cables was the reason for most of my improvement. Did lots of research during the break in period which I am sure will require another 100 or more hours but was most intrigued on reading about cable settling after being moved which is what I went thru, took speaker cables out to have spades put on for amp connections. Have never heard about cable settling before but would love to hear from others who have experienced this problem. Happy Holidays.
needfreestuff
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Any post that discusses cables and various topics about cables, such as break in, or "do better cables actually work" etc is fair game for any and all craziness.

I am personally amazed more of the ""cable breakin is utter nonsense..."" posts, have not been added to the pile.

I believe cables break in. Actually my cables have been breaking and entering other folks apts every time I am not home. The Cops are ready to haul them off to the slammer...
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
"The Cops are ready to haul them off to the slammer..."

They better bring lunch, some of those cables are known for their great resistance.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
george cardas mentioned the significance of moving cables,
at ces around 1996. i thought, at the time it was counter intuitive.

i have not noticed the affect of moving cables and then hearing a difference after the cables settled. it could be because my room is heavily damped.
needfreestuff's avatar
needfreestuff OP
386 posts
 
To Al I did buy a used amp from Reno Hi Fi but I played it continuously for 48 hours so the capacitors would charge.I have electrostatic speakers so it rules out the drivers loosening up. On a further note I did call Ghostbusters and they thought that Elizabeth was on to something. While the cables were settling I did experience a bright sound and loss of detail even one of my dogs left the room. Our most of you people hearing a hard sound and loss of detail when cables our settling or precisely what are you hearing?
almarg's avatar
almarg
8,673 posts
 
12-12-11: Needfreestuff
I have electrostatic speakers so it rules out the drivers loosening up.
Thanks for the response. Not sure how relevant it may be, but as a point of information I'll mention that I've consistently noticed that if my Stax electrostatic headphones are not used for a period of a few weeks, they sound very thin when I resume using them. A good workout at high volume for an hour or two will bring back the missing richness.

In any event, my basic point was that with audio equipment there are a lot of subtle variables that can be involved, many of which are easy to overlook or be unaware of. And when sonic effects are perceived that seem to defy technical and common sense plausibility, my expectation is that in many cases (though undoubtedly not all cases) the effect is being attributed to the wrong variable.

Best regards,
-- Al
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