blakey72 Posted July 12, 2017 Posted July 12, 2017 (edited) Do Phono Pre-amps need burning in? I ask this because I've just got a Rega Fono Mini. I started playing the first record and I thought OMG I'm going to have to take this back. No highs, muffled sound no space. IFirst thing I thought was, well I am comparing this to a Plinius 9200 $6k phono pre. What could I possibly expect. But I persisted. After playing the first record I thought I could hear a slight difference. So I thought I'd put the same record on again. Half way through the first side and everything is now sounding sweet. Nice highs, punchy bass, great mids. I must be off my head. I'd say it comparable to the Plinius pre. Anyone else had something similar with burn in or is it just me? Edited July 12, 2017 by blakey72 1
Andrews_melb Posted July 12, 2017 Posted July 12, 2017 (edited) My graham slee reflex did edit: took about a week or so, a bit better bass n all. Just sounded better overall Edited July 12, 2017 by Andrews_melb
EV Cali Posted July 12, 2017 Posted July 12, 2017 Perhaps the sound was different to you at first and when you had become accustomed to it you thought it had improved. But this is coming from some one that leaves his Vincent pho 8 permanently turned on, as it was suggested on this site that it then sounded better. 2
Peter-C Posted July 12, 2017 Posted July 12, 2017 Absolutely, about 100 hours for my RCM sensor 2.I got a loaner to listen to in my system, so I knew how it should sound.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hergest Posted July 12, 2017 Posted July 12, 2017 I'm not sure about burn in with something with no moving parts , I've always had my doubts, but once a solid state piece of equipment warms up the sonic differences can appear noticeable to my ears.
Guest Eggcup The Daft Posted July 13, 2017 Posted July 13, 2017 There are some solid state burn in effects. For example, capacitors can change over time, but it doesn't happen that quickly. I've never noticed any huge change with the downmarket amps I've used. It may be you becoming accustomed, but I'd say this is warm up, rather than burn in. Leave it turned on.
jeromelang Posted July 13, 2017 Posted July 13, 2017 (edited) Burn in are usually slow and gradual. But it can also be fast and sudden - like when the levee breaks. I got caught once, in the middle of an instantaneous transformation, of a 7th-day cd player, from horrid to heavenly sound, and the phasey effects while in 1-2 second transistion. One of the weirdest experience ever in audio. Edited July 13, 2017 by jeromelang
stevoz Posted July 13, 2017 Posted July 13, 2017 @blakey72 Not a stupid question at all. It's what you heard and experienced......and it's what I heard and experienced when I first used my Vincent pho-8. Took around two hours before I heard it hit the 'sweet spot' inducing smiles of satisfaction. I, like @EV Cali, leave the pho-8 on 24/7. Sweet sounds from the start of every session!
blakey72 Posted July 13, 2017 Author Posted July 13, 2017 3 hours ago, Happy said: Have you A/B'd it against the Plinius directly? No not yet. I wouldn't say it's as good but it's not far off. I'm going to use it for a while until my new tt turns up/
blakey72 Posted July 13, 2017 Author Posted July 13, 2017 (edited) 18 minutes ago, stevoz said: @blakey72 Not a stupid question at all. It's what you heard and experienced...... Yeah that's exactly why I started the thread. I don't particularly believe the solid state needs burn in however I think I've changed my mind. I know sound and this went from muddled and disgusting to quite beautiful. It might be as you say, warm up. It did start from cold. For a $199 pre I'm impressed. It gets very good reviews. Edited July 13, 2017 by blakey72 1
AussieMick Posted July 13, 2017 Posted July 13, 2017 For a good explanation, pop over to Graham Slee's website, www.hifisystemcomponents.com and have a look at what he says. He also discusses what happens when you leave things powered up or turn them on and off. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
rantan Posted July 13, 2017 Posted July 13, 2017 6 hours ago, blakey72 said: Yeah that's exactly why I started the thread. I don't particularly believe the solid state needs burn in however I think I've changed my mind. I know sound and this went from muddled and disgusting to quite beautiful. It might be as you say, warm up. It did start from cold. For a $199 pre I'm impressed. It gets very good reviews. Everything needs burn in or run in or whatever anyone wishes to call it. Cables, speakers, amps, everything. Some things benefit more than others though but everything does benefit to some extent. I thought I would lob a grenade into the "it's your brain that burns in" bunker. *Runs off to locate flame proof suit*
Happy Posted July 13, 2017 Posted July 13, 2017 Everything needs burn in or run in or whatever anyone wishes to call it. Cables, speakers, amps, everything. Some things benefit more than others though but everything does benefit to some extent. I thought I would lob a grenade into the "it's your brain that burns in" bunker.*Runs off to locate flame proof suit* Does the suit say "no I don't do DBT now bugger off"?? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 1
rantan Posted July 13, 2017 Posted July 13, 2017 Just now, Happy said: Does the suit say "no I don't do DBT now bugger off"?? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Boo yah! 1
andyr Posted July 13, 2017 Posted July 13, 2017 10 hours ago, blakey72 said: Do Phono Pre-amps need burning in? I ask this because I've just got a Rega Fono Mini. I started playing the first record and I thought OMG I'm going to have to take this back. No highs, muffled sound no space. IFirst thing I thought was, well I am comparing this to a Plinius 9200 $6k phono pre. What could I possibly expect. But I persisted. After playing the first record I thought I could hear a slight difference. So I thought I'd put the same record on again. Half way through the first side and everything is now sounding sweet. Nice highs, punchy bass, great mids. I must be off my head. I'd say it comparable to the Plinius pre. Anyone else had something similar with burn in or is it just me? You've had a great deal of (different) input - so I thought I would throw in my 2c. AFAIAC, there are 2 factors which make a piece of gear - ss or not - sound different: One is warm-up. Two is burn-in. Re. the 2nd point - any caps in the signal path (so the final output coupling cap or any inter-stage coupling caps - which stop DC offset passing to the next stage or component) need to be "burned in". This is associated with the dielectric used in the caps - and may take 20 hours ... or 400 hours. Re. the 1st point - even after any coupling caps are 'burnt in', the circuit still takes time to stabilise when it's turned on - both from the PoV of: circuit voltages stabilising, and the temperature inside the case stabilising (as this can affect how components are performing). Naim, for instance, say it takes 3 days powered on to stabilise the circuit and sound its best! Andy
Tasebass Posted July 14, 2017 Posted July 14, 2017 19 hours ago, andyr said: Naim, for instance, say it takes 3 days powered on to stabilise the circuit and sound its best! Things have improved a lot with their DR tech......if i power down my Superline/Supercap DR within 6 hours of constant use its about at its best.. having said that if i move the units then yes 3 days minimum.... Tase.
Happy Posted July 14, 2017 Posted July 14, 2017 There must be some little cute kitten living in Naim amps that doesn't meow at cold temp.
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