Q:What exactly is 'break' or 'burn-in' time?

Is 'burn' or 'break-in' time when it comes to solid state electronics/speaker cables simply a psycho-acoustic phenomena or does something physical actually happen to make the sound 'better'?

I'm auditioning some anti-cable interconnects and speaker cables on my system (Magnepan MG12's, Jolida hybrid amp) and though a bit bright sounding, overall I am quite pleased.
But the literature accompanying them suggests a minimum of 200 and up to 500 hours of 'break-in' time.
Can someone help or at least offer their opinion?

Capacitor upgrade for my Spica TC-50s

Hi, first time poster on this forum and short term lurker.

I've been a subscriber to Stereophile since the mid-80s and bought a pair of Spica TC-50s just after college.

The local dealer who sold them to me commented that the electrolytic caps are probably close to going out. The drivers are still in great condition and I love this little speaker.

Oh, Eat Some Garbanzos

Oh, Eat Some Garbanzos

I'm on deadline, so of course all I can think about is dinner. Think I'll go upstairs and start some <A HREF="http://www.accesscom.com/~jfinger/recipes/chhole-sour-checkpeas.html">c…; cooking, steam up a bunch of brown basmati rice, and mix up a <A HREF="http://www.mediterrasian.com/delicious_recipes_raita.htm">raita</A>&mda… I'll add some fresh mint, cilantro, and a chopped, drained tomato to that last 'un.

What's Wrong With 300?

What's Wrong With 300?

According to Ephraim Lytle, far too much. I haven't seen the movie, but I have to admit I'm disturbed at the shoddy treatment of Demophilus' 700 Thespians, who heroically refused to withdraw with the rest of the Greek forces, and died with the Spartans.

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