Some things in high-end audio don’t make sense—until they do.
Or don't.
Take burn-in. You’ve heard the arguments. Some folks insist it’s snake oil, others swear by it. Even after 50 years in the business, burn-in still feels like audio’s version of Schrödinger’s Cat.
Burn in is just as real as gravity, whether you believe it or not. Jump up and you'll always come back down.
I don’t think it’s about magic. Components—capacitors, dielectrics, wire, solder joints—they all have physical properties that change with use. Capacitors form. Insulation materials settle. Mechanical stress relieves. We don’t fully understand the mechanism, but the effect is repeatable. Reliable.
Which is why I always tell folks: Don’t judge a new piece of gear too soon. Whether it’s a power amp, speaker cables, or a brand new DAC, give it time. Live with it. Most importantly, listen.
Burn-in isn’t about breaking in you—as some people thing. It's about the gear and it happens regardless of your mood, opinion, or evidence to the contrary.
And when it does, you’ll hear it.
