Amp burn in time..just being on or music played?

No, the correct burn in time is the minimum amount of time it takes to exceed your ability to return a component to the dealer if you decide you don't like the way it sounds.
Cwlondon (System | Threads | Answers)

Ha! There is a great deal of truth in this.

I can't tell you how many responses I've read from small wire and component manufacturers (or their fan boy customers) who have told disgruntled customers that their gear required many more hours of burn in time beyond what the 30 day (or 14 day, or...) return period would allow.

If only they had put more hours on the component (thereby negating terms of the return period)...only then would they have realized how truly jaw dropping was the gear!

Clever.

How about the designers of parts and equipment that agree with those of us that experience break in?

Aside from those of us that listen, do you distrust the designer of Cardas caps, Aria Caps, V Cap, Infini Cap and Dynamicaps as well as Steve McCormack, Mike Elliott, Richard Vandersteen, Paul Weitzel, Ralph Karsten, Andy Payor and countless others?

Or, perhaps ALL OF THEM are in a great conspiracy to fool you poor audiophiles and these experts have no real knowledge? Just a bitter scam to get your money before the trial period expires.

That is perhaps the most ridiculous conspiracy theory I've read at Audiogon.

Albert, I believe in break in. I've heard it many times, and most definitely with certain capacitors.

I have also read manufacturer's comments that I referenced above.

Look, I'm not saying trial periods are a scam. What I'm suggesting is if according to the manufacturer/fabricator their component requires more hours than is possible to accumulate during their trial period, then they need to expand their trial period to make it meaningful. Otherwise, the trial period is a useless marketing tool that benefits neither the customer nor the manufacturer.

OK, I'll go along with that. Sorry if I mistook your intentions.

I get defensive about high end designers and manufacturers as I get almost all my information from them, as opposed to reviews and popular trends.

I would never say that break in is a big issue on ALL components on ALL systems. Some equipment changes big time and some only a little. Add in the variations in quality of set up and system and you have a lot of doubt and confusion on the issue.

In my own system, it's always a big deal, unless it's something I've acquired used, in which case I get reasonably close to instant gratification.

With most amps merely having them on will exercise the bias circuits and open the path through the amp's channel. But there is very little signal (just noise) passing through so all of the components in the signal path aren't being worked, especially the passive components. Even the power supply is just idling. I have always felt the best way to break in any component with capacitors is to put a cd on repeat, turn the volume down, and let it play continuously for several days. My system is in a basement listening room so I can do this without angering she who should not be angered. This is fun to do. Going down for a listen each evening reveals how the sound begins to relax and become effortless as caps begin to come in. IME, the caps are always the long pole in the break in process. Usually between 150 and 200 hours.