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Mains cable 'burn in' question?

Last post Jul 04, 2009, 8:35 AM by aliEnRIK. (62 replies)
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Posted on Jun 29, 2009, 7:41 PM

Mains cable 'burn in' question?

When the likes of Russ Andrews etc recommend burning powerkords in for 500hrs before they can perform at there best, they say its best to leave the component that youve used it for switched on for 3weeks to enable it to burn in faster, does this mean switched on literally or does leaving it in standby mode count to?
Panasonic 50PZ700B Plasma tv / Sky HD / Pioneer VSX-LX70 amplifier / Arcam CD73 CD player / Pioneer LX70a blurayplayer / Panansonic DMR HS2 dvd recorder / B&W CDM CSE Centre speaker / B&W DM602 Main speakers (on Artacama SR724 Speaker stands) / B&W DS6 surrounds / B&W VM1 surround back speaker / 2x REL Q100E Active subwoofers / Russ Andrews Classic powercords for Amplifier & Bluray player / Russ Andrews yello cords for Sky HD & CD player / QED SR HDMI Cables & HDMI P Cables / QED Profile 12 Bi Wire speaker cable for front 3 speakers & silver anniversary for 3 surround speakers. ( & remote controlled dimmer lights )

Posted on Jun 29, 2009, 9:15 PM

272035

Re: Mains cable 'burn in' question?

Doesn't have to be plugged into your system, it can be plugged into anything you use a lot. Unless it's equipped with sentient electrons, the cable's not going to know.
Have fun.
A+

Posted on Jun 29, 2009, 9:18 PM

272080

Re: Mains cable 'burn in' question?

And they're coming off turn four again - will the safety car pull in this time...?
Consulting Editor, What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision / whathifi.com
Audio Editor, Gramophone

Posted on Jun 29, 2009, 10:03 PM

272080

Re: Mains cable 'burn in' question?

Tarquinh:
Doesn't have to be plugged into your system, it can be plugged into anything you use a lot.
Even when left in standby? Does that still count towards the burning in time?
Panasonic 50PZ700B Plasma tv / Sky HD / Pioneer VSX-LX70 amplifier / Arcam CD73 CD player / Pioneer LX70a blurayplayer / Panansonic DMR HS2 dvd recorder / B&W CDM CSE Centre speaker / B&W DM602 Main speakers (on Artacama SR724 Speaker stands) / B&W DS6 surrounds / B&W VM1 surround back speaker / 2x REL Q100E Active subwoofers / Russ Andrews Classic powercords for Amplifier & Bluray player / Russ Andrews yello cords for Sky HD & CD player / QED SR HDMI Cables & HDMI P Cables / QED Profile 12 Bi Wire speaker cable for front 3 speakers & silver anniversary for 3 surround speakers. ( & remote controlled dimmer lights )

Posted on Jun 30, 2009, 6:44 AM

272111

Re: Mains cable 'burn in' question?

Personally speaking ~ In my own tests ive found units that draw a lot of power (eg ~ amps), 'burn in' mains cables more than sources etc. So if my tests rings true then leaving it on standby isnt going to make a jot of difference

 

Did you buy the silver TM3 cable then Jase?

 

Marantz AV8003. Arcam P1000 Power Amp. Monitor Audio Silver speakers (Old style). Arcam CD32 cd player. Pioneer 42" Plasma. Pioneer LX50 dvd player. PS3. 16 core braided mains cables. Isotek Sigmas + Mira. RA Mains Block.

Posted on Jun 30, 2009, 7:29 AM

272035

Re: Mains cable 'burn in' question?

i have just replaced the power socket
with a double gang one, do you need to burn them in as well
also if you change the plug how long do you burn the new one in for
i really find this is a burning issue,,,,

Posted on Jul 02, 2009, 8:17 AM

272192

Re: Mains cable 'burn in' question?

aliEnRIK:

p>

Did you buy the silver TM3 cable then Jase?

 

Hi Rik,

Yes i did mate, i must say its a great looking cable !! Im using it on my amp & i did notice some improvement but not to the extent that was at first hoping for, but improvements all the same but then i remembered about what you said & thats they need time to adjust & burn in etc

Im a patient man, ha
Panasonic 50PZ700B Plasma tv / Sky HD / Pioneer VSX-LX70 amplifier / Arcam CD73 CD player / Pioneer LX70a blurayplayer / Panansonic DMR HS2 dvd recorder / B&W CDM CSE Centre speaker / B&W DM602 Main speakers (on Artacama SR724 Speaker stands) / B&W DS6 surrounds / B&W VM1 surround back speaker / 2x REL Q100E Active subwoofers / Russ Andrews Classic powercords for Amplifier & Bluray player / Russ Andrews yello cords for Sky HD & CD player / QED SR HDMI Cables & HDMI P Cables / QED Profile 12 Bi Wire speaker cable for front 3 speakers & silver anniversary for 3 surround speakers. ( & remote controlled dimmer lights )

Posted on Jul 02, 2009, 8:29 AM

273129

Re: Mains cable 'burn in' question?

jase fox:
aliEnRIK:

p>

Did you buy the silver TM3 cable then Jase?

 

Hi Rik,

Yes i did mate, i must say its a great looking cable !! Im using it on my amp & i did notice some improvement but not to the extent that was at first hoping for, but improvements all the same but then i remembered about what you said & thats they need time to adjust & burn in etc

Im a patient man, ha


Takes a good few months im afraid. The 'amount' of difference is also dictated by how dirty the mains is and how much EMI is near your equipment

 

What cable was you using previously?

Marantz AV8003. Arcam P1000 Power Amp. Monitor Audio Silver speakers (Old style). Arcam CD32 cd player. Pioneer 42" Plasma. Pioneer LX50 dvd player. PS3. 16 core braided mains cables. Isotek Sigmas + Mira. RA Mains Block.

Posted on Jul 02, 2009, 8:53 AM

273132

Re: Mains cable 'burn in' question?

I was using the RA classic Rik, but ive now used that for my CDP as i was using a RA yello before & the difference between the classic & the yello for my CDP is a great jump in quality so nothing has gone to waste.

Ill just leave the T3 in my amp and see how i get on with it, just in case im not impressed after a few months or so i can easily sell it on as a friend of mine would have it, but ive every faith in it. My mate has recently purchased a RA reference powerkord as it was in there sale im pleased hes got one as i was always curious as to how good it is as WHSAV have given it a fantastic review havnt they? After my T3 has burnt in id be curious as to do a side by side comparison between the two kords, that'd be interesting & itll pass an afternoon.
Panasonic 50PZ700B Plasma tv / Sky HD / Pioneer VSX-LX70 amplifier / Arcam CD73 CD player / Pioneer LX70a blurayplayer / Panansonic DMR HS2 dvd recorder / B&W CDM CSE Centre speaker / B&W DM602 Main speakers (on Artacama SR724 Speaker stands) / B&W DS6 surrounds / B&W VM1 surround back speaker / 2x REL Q100E Active subwoofers / Russ Andrews Classic powercords for Amplifier & Bluray player / Russ Andrews yello cords for Sky HD & CD player / QED SR HDMI Cables & HDMI P Cables / QED Profile 12 Bi Wire speaker cable for front 3 speakers & silver anniversary for 3 surround speakers. ( & remote controlled dimmer lights )

Posted on Jul 02, 2009, 9:37 AM

273135

Re: Mains cable 'burn in' question?

Wow, yello, classic, reference and a TM3, you are in a position to do a great comparison test. Regards your original question, for amps and headphones my understanding is that burn in means actually in use, not just switched on. So I would assume the same is true for cables. I am sure the RA burn in service involves continually passing different signals down a cable and it is not just leaving it on standby!

Posted on Jul 02, 2009, 10:13 AM

273149

Re: Mains cable 'burn in' question?

idc:
Wow, yello, classic, reference and a TM3, you are in a position to do a great comparison test. Regards your original question, for amps and headphones my understanding is that burn in means actually in use, not just switched on. So I would assume the same is true for cables. I am sure the RA burn in service involves continually passing different signals down a cable and it is not just leaving it on standby!
Hi idc,

Oh yes its going to be a great afternoon is this? Just me & my best mate with plenty of coffee & biscuits (would have got some beers in but im sure this will fog my judgement some what. ha) & yes i have to agree with you that im sure signals must be passing through the cables to burn in also.
Panasonic 50PZ700B Plasma tv / Sky HD / Pioneer VSX-LX70 amplifier / Arcam CD73 CD player / Pioneer LX70a blurayplayer / Panansonic DMR HS2 dvd recorder / B&W CDM CSE Centre speaker / B&W DM602 Main speakers (on Artacama SR724 Speaker stands) / B&W DS6 surrounds / B&W VM1 surround back speaker / 2x REL Q100E Active subwoofers / Russ Andrews Classic powercords for Amplifier & Bluray player / Russ Andrews yello cords for Sky HD & CD player / QED SR HDMI Cables & HDMI P Cables / QED Profile 12 Bi Wire speaker cable for front 3 speakers & silver anniversary for 3 surround speakers. ( & remote controlled dimmer lights )

Posted on Jul 02, 2009, 12:14 PM

273166

Re: Mains cable 'burn in' question?

Whats the bass like on your amp at the moment?
Marantz AV8003. Arcam P1000 Power Amp. Monitor Audio Silver speakers (Old style). Arcam CD32 cd player. Pioneer 42" Plasma. Pioneer LX50 dvd player. PS3. 16 core braided mains cables. Isotek Sigmas + Mira. RA Mains Block.

Posted on Jul 02, 2009, 12:36 PM

273135

Re: Mains cable 'burn in' question?

jase fox:
My mate has recently purchased a RA reference powerkord as it was in there sale im pleased hes got one as i was always curious as to how good it is as WHSAV have given it a fantastic review havnt they? After my T3 has burnt in id be curious as to do a side by side comparison between the two kords, that'd be interesting & itll pass an afternoon.

 

Im curious too. The russ andrews uses very pure copper and isnt as tightly wound as the TM3. The TM3 uses not as pure silver and im unsure how many cores are used for the earth. Id expect them to be fairly similar but the TM3 edging it purely on the fact its made of mostly silver.

 

The 500+ hours that Russ Andrews quotes is probably right. Youll hear more or less what the cables capable of after 2 months but it will probably be 6 months before its completed its changes!

 

ps ~ just realised theyve dropped the price of the reference from £257 to £155!. Is your friends cryogenically frozen too? If so id expect the russ andrews to pip the TM3

When I first plugged mine into my (then) Arcam A85, the bass was VERY poor but there was definitely more detail and the treble was a tad too 'sharp'

6 months later the bass was HEAVYweight and everything sounds just beautiful and natural.

Marantz AV8003. Arcam P1000 Power Amp. Monitor Audio Silver speakers (Old style). Arcam CD32 cd player. Pioneer 42" Plasma. Pioneer LX50 dvd player. PS3. 16 core braided mains cables. Isotek Sigmas + Mira. RA Mains Block.

Posted on Jul 02, 2009, 1:40 PM

273251

Re: Mains cable 'burn in' question?

Rik - The bass on my amp isnt as deep or as tight as it was with the classic but not to a point were im devastated as i can appreciate it needs time to be burned in for its optimum performance.

And yes my mates Reference powerkord is also cryogenically frozen as it was all in the price plus a free upgrade to the 350i wattgate (good bargain actually) i must say that id put money on the reference coming through on top tbh but i'll have to wait & see, it'll be a while before we do the test as have to wait for the burn in time to pass but i'll certainly post our findings.

So what benefits does Cryogenically freezing cables achieve Rik?
Panasonic 50PZ700B Plasma tv / Sky HD / Pioneer VSX-LX70 amplifier / Arcam CD73 CD player / Pioneer LX70a blurayplayer / Panansonic DMR HS2 dvd recorder / B&W CDM CSE Centre speaker / B&W DM602 Main speakers (on Artacama SR724 Speaker stands) / B&W DS6 surrounds / B&W VM1 surround back speaker / 2x REL Q100E Active subwoofers / Russ Andrews Classic powercords for Amplifier & Bluray player / Russ Andrews yello cords for Sky HD & CD player / QED SR HDMI Cables & HDMI P Cables / QED Profile 12 Bi Wire speaker cable for front 3 speakers & silver anniversary for 3 surround speakers. ( & remote controlled dimmer lights )

Posted on Jul 02, 2009, 2:43 PM

273277

Re: Mains cable 'burn in' question?

Do you mean in the real world or the cable world?

In the real world, none, but in the cable world, you'll have tighter, deeper bass, improved midrange, better soundstage and detail. But bear in mind you'll only reap the benefits after 10,000 hours of burn in.

Have fun.
A+
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