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binding post break in

yesterday I replaced my binding posts on my rogue audio m150 monos with the highly regarded wbt nextgen copper binding posts and yes there was more detail,but it was also thin and not as harmonic and rich, and not as open sounding as before. I have been listening to the wonderfull sounding kenny burrell guitar forms latey and have really liked how it sounded on my system,but after I put in the wbts his guitar sounded strummy and hooded , the higher strings sounded thinner and the middle and lower strings sounded sucked out . well crap. is this another case of [ it needs 256 and a half hours of break in and then it will sound great!] or what? has anybody out there had any experience with these binding posts ? I am very good at soldering so i dont think that a bad joint is the reason I am hearing what I do, any ideas ? is there a richer sounding binding post with some body and still very good low level detail ? or will they really change that much with some break in ? thanks , chris
chrissain
timrhu
2,778 posts
 
Unlikely it's a bad solder joint if you crimped the wire in the connector IMO. If you have a solid mechanical connection between the post and wire then the connection isn't the problem. I would argue that if a solid connection is made via a good crimp, soldering the connection isn't necessary for signal transfer. The solder is used more as a binding agent to maintain a solid connection.
The problem, as I understand your description, is just a change in tone. If that's the case your problem doesn't sound like a defective solder joint. Unfortunately I don't have any other suggestion.
chrissain OP
425 posts
 
ok naysayers, things are getting interesting, the sound of my stereo has improved greatly. Now the wbt binding posts sound very transparent and open, some of the body has returned, but with more resolution than before. if it is not the new solder joint and binding posts breaking in , what could it be? I will put even more hours on the amps and post again later, chris
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Could be you're adapting to the new sound.
almarg's avatar
almarg
8,673 posts
 
These possibilities come to mind:

1)Psychological adaptation to the sound, as Tvad suggested.

2)Tubes re-burning in following the mechanical effects that the work may have had on them. Such as the possibility I mentioned that the jostling dislodged minute detritus (particles that had burned off of the filaments and wound up on other elements) -- perhaps it is re-accumulating.

3)Residue from the contact cleaner that you applied before doing the soldering gradually dissipating, perhaps as a result of current being passed through the connection.

Regards,
-- Al
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,333 posts
 
Yeah - be careful - if you are looking for or expecting to hear something then
you often do - our mind plays tricks but its worse our hearing can even play
REAL tricks. There is a little known (at least to audiophiles) muscle in the ear
that probably has the purpose of helping us escape predators or danger. This
muscle tightens in the ear when we concentrate on sound or we are stressed and
it allows us to better hear the mid range frequencies at the expense of the bass
response. A few people can voluntarily control this muscle or have trained
themselves to do so. Many people do not know when it activates or de-activates
but concentration on sound will usually trigger it involuntarily.

Anyway, I simply point this out because people are so eager to jump to
conclusions that have no scientific explanation whilst they may be too quick to
overlook the most obvious ...our own hearing or minute changes in listening
position (a few inches can matter)!
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