Sorry to disagree. The proposed procedure will provide evidence that burn in makes a difference AND the difference is audible.
If the quality of the sound is better or worse, this I do not know.
Sorry to disagree. The proposed procedure will provide evidence that burn in makes a difference AND the difference is audible.
If the quality of the sound is better or worse, this I do not know.
…if the research uncovers something outside of its empowerment, this finding will be more of a hypothesis than a theory…and therefore new research will be needed to either develop theory around the hypothesis or to refute the original finding.
Our problem is that perhaps it will be measurable, but not audible.
We shall see.
This dogmatic approach isn’t helpful. It’s like Covid deniers and other similar zealots.
Loads of people have tested audio cable for all manner of claims and…the results cast expensive cable manufacturers in a very poor light.
Every objective experiment I’ve seen on this topic shows the same result: nothing.
It’s not dogmatic. It’s the diametric opposite.
Hypotheses → experiment → data
That there is no data to support this hypothesis is not my fault. I’m not the one making the claim.
I have recently noticed some additional smoothness in my system and at the same time, some additional detail that I hadn’t hears before; quite delightful really.
The last change to my system was the DIN to XLR cables.
Is this what’s being described as the ‘burn-in’ effect?
Are you suggesting that the EQ of your system has altered somehow?
I don’t know, I’m just asking.
Last time I measured it (using REW) was about 4 or 5 years ago (and that was with the previous cables installed).
…or the opposite of this!
Dear @facefirst,
There are many papers about changes over time on analog systems and how to mitigate them.
Analog was really unsuitable for many applications in medical, rail, space, computers and even cars. An analog system required continuous calibration to be precise.
For this reason most systems in monitoring, recording, scanning, reproduction, control, instrumentation, etc. are today digital.
I imagine this transition happened before you were born and for this reason it went unnoticed to you.
Google is your friend here, but please let me know if you need any help.
Agreed, this is called continuous improvement.
These guys are not dogmatic at all, and you are being too hard.
Let’s just open the gates of wisdom for every body.
On the opposite I agree: If it is audible, then it is measurable. No problem for anybody.
We know that active components (transistors and capacitors mainly) - change over time (whether ‘improve’ or ‘deteriorate’ is another matter) - which is why very accurate and precise measuring instruments such as precision voltmeters need to be calibrated periodically. But cables - no, not in any other field as far as I am aware. The only field where people talk about cables improving over time is in audio. And the common factor here is that the assessment is purely subjective, as far as I know.
I’m sure this is a well-meaning post so I will take it in the spirit intended.
We are not discussing analogue systems in the round. We are talking about a specific claim about a specific physical thing that has not once be verified despite the huge marketing and sales advantage that would come from being demonstrable.
The onus is on those making the claim that this phenomenon happens to demonstrate it. That they cannot should be a massive red flag.
110% this.
There are plenty of other fields where signal integrity is critical yet none of them worry about cable burn-in. Odd that. Almost as if its not real…
Of course, if you value objectivity, it’s not possible to 110% agree….
I can quite understand why some want to be able to measure things, but I’m perfectly happy to rely on subjective experience. I’ve heard cables improve over time on many occasions over the years. Or maybe I’ve just got used to them, I don’t know. And ultimately, of course, it really doesn’t matter.
…this could be that soak testing has already done the burning in ?
Really this is not my experience after 35 years in a related profession.
Searching in Google I find first many crazy claims by audio cable companies.
But one layer below:
Yes. Unfortunately, a coaxial cable will degrade over time and need to be replaced to maintain the quality of the signal.