Hifi rack burn-in time?

[Diapason]

No, not really, but an experience over the weekend got me thinking.

Tired of looking at my gear on the floor, and tired of bending down every time I wanted to change a CD, I bought myself a nice sideboard-style rack. Setting it up involved a fair bit of lugging stuff around and lifting heavy amps off the floor and that kind of malarkey, so that by the time I sat down to listen I was sweating like a pig and anything but relaxed (I know, I know, I'm not very fit).

Anyway, initially the hifi sounded really poor, but as time went on things improved noticeably. Sure enough, when I came back to listen later on it sounded even better again. I can only assume my rack burned-in.....





....well, it could be that my breathing returned to normal, my heart-rate decreased to its usual levels, I relaxed, and my ears improved accordingly. But no, burn-in is more likely, right?

 

[Johnd]

No, not really, but an experience over the weekend got me thinking.

Tired of looking at my gear on the floor, and tired of bending down every time I wanted to change a CD, I bought myself a nice sideboard-style rack. Setting it up involved a fair bit of lugging stuff around and lifting heavy amps off the floor and that kind of malarkey, so that by the time I sat down to listen I was sweating like a pig and anything but relaxed (I know, I know, I'm not very fit).

Anyway, initially the hifi sounded really poor, but as time went on things improved noticeably. Sure enough, when I came back to listen later on it sounded even better again. I can only assume my rack burned-in.....





....well, it could be that my breathing returned to normal, my heart-rate decreased to its usual levels, I relaxed, and my ears improved accordingly. But no, burn-in is more likely, right?

Hmmmmm...

If you're trying to sell it, there is always going to be someone willing to buy it.

 

[Davemcc]

Clearly what's happened is that you've rearranged the molecule in your room and they needed time to settle into a more natural order. It only took you a short time to get your molecules arranged, but your could have called Machina Dynamica and had it done instantly over the phone.

 

[Starmax]

Rearranging a sound system is a LOT of work! I did the same thing over the weekend...and I'm still not finished. It made me realize how out of shape, blind and bone-headed I am, as well as revealing where all my money has been going over the years. The real test to my sanity, however was when I had almost everything arranged...all my speakers and components fit the room in a way that made sense and looked great...only to find that most of my interconnects and cables weren't long enough. What started out as a project that I thought would only cost me sweat equity, turned into a howling, potentially money-sucking beast if I were to actually spring for new cables, etc. So I put everything back in their original places (I'm talking about an HT system with 7 heavy floorstanders, 3 subs, a 55" TV on a stand, a stereo rig with 2 heavy floorstanders, 2 receivers, an amp, dvd player, power conditioners, turntable, XM radio, headphone amp, component & media racks, etc.) and sat down and just stared. I wasn't happy with it but didn't want to spend any more money for now, so I'm not sure what my next move will be. Overall I actually had fun obsessing over everything. Is this a great hobby or what?

 

[Adam]

Starmax, I feel your pain...but I also got a smile out of your story. How much do you think new cables would cost you? Sure looks like you've got a lot of equipment there to connect.

Diapason, I'll be getting a new rack pretty soon. I'll be sure to give it some time to break in before I really start to see how well it's working. However, I'm going to take Dave's advice and get Machina Dynamica on the phone and get everything rearranged upfront with the teleportation tweak. Might get me one of those Intelligent Box/Intelligent Card combos while I'm at it.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

In my experience, audio rack burn-in time varies depending on many variables.

Is your rack made of wood, glass, or metal..........or a combination of the three?

Wood component racks create the warmest sound, but they have a longer burn-in time. It's also true that hardwoods burn-in faster than softer varieties....IE.....oak verses pine.

Metallic audio racks burn-in faster, but they tend to be more bright sounding. Their color will also determine just how bright. IE... silver metallic racks sound brighter than black audio racks. It's also true that if your components are placed on glass shelves, the audio becomes more transparent.

Never underestimate the influence of component rack materials & burn-in time!! Burn-in aside, you should always attempt to give your audio-racks an "in home" audition to make sure you get the one that sounds best in your particular room.

 

[Starmax]

Starmax, I feel your pain...but I also got a smile out of your story. How much do you think new cables would cost you? Sure looks like you've got a lot of equipment there to connect.

Diapason, I'll be getting a new rack pretty soon. I'll be sure to give it some time to break in before I really start to see how well it's working. However, I'm going to take Dave's advice and get Machina Dynamica on the phone and get everything rearranged upfront with the teleportation tweak. Might get me one of those Intelligent Box/Intelligent Card combos while I'm at it.

15' hdmi, toslink & coax cables plus 25' subwoofer & speaker cables (x2 for bi-amping) can get pricey, even if they're Bluejean. I was just disappointed that I couldn't sit down and bliss out on my new and improved set-up right then! Delayed gratification was never my strong suit.

Buckeye, I've found that it helps to reduce the noise floor by placing your equipment as low as possible. My next project will be digging up my living room floor and putting everything below ground for optimum effect.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Dang it; now I feel stupid for using two end tables for my "rack". No wonder why the system sounds "bright". I will stain the end tables in black as soon as I get home...

In my experience, audio rack burn-in time varies depending on many variables.

Is your rack made of wood, glass, or metal..........or a combination of the three?

Wood component racks create the warmest sound, but they have a longer burn-in time. It's also true that hardwoods burn-in faster than softer varieties....IE.....oak verses pine.

Metallic audio racks burn-in faster, but they tend to be more bright sounding. Their color will also determine just how bright. IE... silver metallic racks sound brighter than black audio racks. It's also true that if your components are placed on glass shelves, the audio becomes more transparent.

Never underestimate the influence of component rack materials & burn-in time!! Burn-in aside, you should always attempt to give your audio-racks an "in home" audition to make sure you get the one that sounds best in your particular room.

 

[skizzerflake]

I've heard that metal racks not only burn in, but continue to sound sweeter if you add about 100 pounds of bricks on one shelf. They have to be chipless and free of any old cement. I understand that there is an on line store in Chippewa Falls that sells bricks, especially made for this purpose. They are $12 each (unglazed) or $24 each (glazed). The glazed ones sound much better, especially with accoustical jazz.

 

[dorokusai]

If it sounds better, it must be better. Enjoy.

Regards,
Mark

 

[fmw]

No, racks don't burn in. What happens is we get accustomed to the sound and familiarity breeds happiness in the way we think we hear. The way we think we hear, of course, is not the way we actually hear but is more important to us psychologically. Burn-in is the common audiophile explanation for familiarity. You are a good candidate for audiophilia.

 

[avaserfi]

No, racks don't burn in. What happens is we get accustomed to the sound and familiarity breeds happiness in the way we think we hear. The way we think we hear, of course, is not the way we actually hear but is more important to us psychologically. Burn-in is the common audiophile explanation for familiarity. You are a good candidate for audiophilia.

I am pretty sure this was all a joke. It does start out with "No, not really"

 

[Johnd]

I am pretty sure this was all a joke. It does start out with "No, not really"

I was gonna let him roll with it. The original post is fairly plain, but good catch avaserfi.

 

[Diapason]

I'm not sure how my post could be taken as a serious comment on rack burn-in. I was quite definitely joking.

Then again, I *am* the same guy who bought the Nordost cables...

ETA: My point was actually that shifting gear around causes stress, and that stress dissipating could well be a contributing cause of other "burn-in" tales. I probably should have made that clearer.

 

[fmw]

I'm not sure how my post could be taken as a serious comment on rack burn-in. I was quite definitely joking.

Then again, I *am* the same guy who bought the Nordost cables...

ETA: My point was actually that shifting gear around causes stress, and that stress dissipating could well be a contributing cause of other "burn-in" tales. I probably should have made that clearer.

Sorry, my fault. I've heard some whoppers in my audiophile days, however, so I'm willing to believe people will believe almost anything when it comes to audio. Take care.

 

[Diapason]

Sorry, my fault. I've heard some whoppers in my audiophile days, however, so I'm willing to believe people will believe almost anything when it comes to audio. Take care.

In a world containing Machina Dynamica, the jokes are becoming harder and harder to spot.

 

[fmw]

Amen to that. These guys have a tweak they don't even have to manufacture. I understand they just play sound to your system over the telephone. That's serious gross margin.

Do you remember the Shun Mook discs? These were little wooden disks you put on top of your components and then turned them one way or another to "tune" the sound of the components. They had handy little arrows on them so that you could replace them with proper orientation after dusting without having to go through the "tuning" again. They got a rave review in Stereophile.

Then, of course, there was the famous Tice clock.........or plain old high end cables.

Same old stuff is still going on. And the believers defend it to the death. It is amazing.

 

[Pyrrho]

No, not really, but an experience over the weekend got me thinking.

Tired of looking at my gear on the floor, and tired of bending down every time I wanted to change a CD, I bought myself a nice sideboard-style rack. Setting it up involved a fair bit of lugging stuff around and lifting heavy amps off the floor and that kind of malarkey, so that by the time I sat down to listen I was sweating like a pig and anything but relaxed (I know, I know, I'm not very fit).

Anyway, initially the hifi sounded really poor, but as time went on things improved noticeably. Sure enough, when I came back to listen later on it sounded even better again. I can only assume my rack burned-in.....





....well, it could be that my breathing returned to normal, my heart-rate decreased to its usual levels, I relaxed, and my ears improved accordingly. But no, burn-in is more likely, right?

You should always burn in your new rack for at least 3 weeks with special test tones to fully appreciate your system. For a limited time only, you can get these acoustically correct test tones for burning in your rack for the special introductory price of $499.99 + $35.99 S&H, and I will send them out to you right away. That is a full $200 off the regular price of $699.99!! But hurry, this offer won't last long, so order now!

 

[fmw]

You should always burn in your new rack for at least 3 weeks with special test tones to fully appreciate your system. For a limited time only, you can get these acoustically correct test tones for burning in your rack for the special introductory price of $499.99 + $35.99 S&H, and I will send them out to you right away. That is a full $200 off the regular price of $699.99!! But hurry, this offer won't last long, so order now!

I have that one beat. I can play the test tones over the phone for your new rack for only $199. No shipping and handling and the call is free.

 

[Starmax]

For only $198.99, I can telepathically transmit RACKTUNE® - a revolutionary new psycho-technology system that embeds the audible frequency range of German Shepherds inside a convenient, easily integrated pulse of mental energy. The results are instant and powerful, and if used in combination with my secret "Consciousness Compression®" transmission formulation (sold separately), you have an almost infinite range of configurable options (for an extra customization fee) instantly! For the opportunity of a lifetime, contact me for dealer franchise information on this fast-growing, high-paying, low-overhead business.