Official Denon AVP-A1HD/AVP-A1HDCI and POA-A1HD/POA-A1HDCI owners thread. - Page 10

Originally Posted by ohyeah32

Electronic gear when brand new (right out of the box), have likely have only been tested at the factory to see if all functionality and circuitry are working well. But once tested at the factory for quality assurance, it then gets boxed up and sent to dealers. I'm not sure as to exactly how it does what it does, but I can honestly say that the sound (especially in higher end gear that has many separate power transformers and processing chips) does indeed sound different after many months of use. I'm sure that this has something to do with allowing enough time for the circuit boards, DAC, DSP processing chips, power transformers, etc. to work together.

Everyone that I have talked with that owns high end gear have mirrored my thoughts on this.

But if a well designed product (like the Denon AVP), sounds great out of the box, it most likely will sound better and smoother over the course of many months of use.

Originally Posted by Johnla

Just because some people "say" break-in works this way, that don't also mean that it really does.

But it's funny how those who do say it does work that way, never ever seem to have any answers to the questions of....

How does the product only know how to break in for the better, and never for the worse?

How does the product know exactly when to stop the process of breaking in, so that it will not go too far and to the point where it would get worse?

Originally Posted by Franin

Your forgiven but you might have to write a letter of apolgy to the Japanese

Originally Posted by orologio

I think that my writing has been indeed flattering to "Made in Japan". It shows that it is highly desirable to me and that I was too eager to open their product. On the other side, if I have to write a "letter of apology" that would be addressed to "Made in China"...

I am embarrassed. Normally I don't react by impulse.

Originally Posted by MarkB

Yes, I have the POA. Spot 2 mistakes...

Originally Posted by progprog

All interesting questions- exactly the ones I've wondered myself when people talk about this. So should I assume that you don't think there is a break-in phenomenon? What would account for so many people thinking they hear a difference? (Our ears break-in to new equipment, perhaps?) I'm not saying there is or isn't a difference. I'd just like to know exactly what it is that's supposed to be happening in there.

Originally Posted by orologio

...I am embarrassed. Normally I don't react by impulse.

Originally Posted by progprog

What would account for so many people thinking they hear a difference? (Our ears break-in to new equipment, perhaps?)

Originally Posted by sdurani

What accounts for the fact that so many people living near railroad tracks stop hearing passing trains after a while? The break-in equivalent would be that the trains actually got quieter after a few months, just as electronic equipment physically changes to match the buyer's personal preferences. The alternative explanation is that we humans eventually get used to the sound of something new, a concept that most break-in advocates find too unreasonable to consider.

Sanjay

Originally Posted by MarkB

Don't worry about the heat from the POA - it runs cool believe it or not. Actually, the top plate of the AVP is warmer that the POA! Anyway my stand arrives soon, then each part will have its own shelf.

Here are some more pictures, this time wired correctly.

Originally Posted by Pete

My break-in theory: All adjacent molecules in signal paths form themselves into electro-magnetic "river beds".

Originally Posted by Pete

My break-in theory: All adjacent molecules in signal paths form themselves into electro-magnetic "river beds".

Originally Posted by progprog

I write this as my AVP sits in the other room, running continuously, as it has for nearly a week, slowly simmering its way to perfection. Can't hurt, right?

Originally Posted by sdurani

Can't hurt. Soon the sound will be much better, at which point your AVP will stop breaking in. Because mechanical gears rubbing against each other can wear down, sometimes improving the fit and thereby improving performance. Of course, wear and tear will continue on these parts until performance eventually starts decreasing. Unlike AVPs, cars don't know when to stop breaking in.

Sanjay

Originally Posted by B&W700guy

Sanjay,

It is aways nice to hear that you are still so helpfull

Originally Posted by B&W700guy

Sanjay,

It is aways nice to hear that you are still so helpfull

Originally Posted by sdurani

Just as it is always sad to see you in any thread.

Sanjay

Originally Posted by sdurani

Just as it is always sad to see you in any thread.

Sanjay

Originally Posted by progprog

Does the AVP seem unusually warm to you? I'm surprised at how much heat mine generates just playing the radio. The back half of the top and the upper part of the back panel are not "hot" but quite warm to the touch. And this is with no VP going on.... Even the dig coax jacks feel pretty toasty.

Originally Posted by progprog

I love all those beefy cables! It looks like you're using the stock power cables on both units. Over here, some audiophile circles endlessly debate the merits of expensive aftermarket power cables with all kinds of shielding to prevent noise and interference with nearby interconnects. I was wondering if that debate rages there as well, considering that your power cables carry higher voltage, and whether, as your photos would suggest, you don't see any advantage to aftermarket cables ?

Originally Posted by sdurani

Unlike AVPs, cars don't know when to stop breaking in. Sanjay

Originally Posted by B&W700guy

Sanjay,

It is aways nice to hear that you are still so helpfull

Originally Posted by nethomas

I have had my AVP set up for several days now and I am very happy with it. Since going to seperates from a Yamaha receiver about 12 years ago, I have had two Citations, an Anthem AVM20, an Anthem D1 and for a very short time the Krell S1000. This units bests them all for HT. I haven't done enough 2-channel listening yet to say, but I think it's as good as the Anthems for that. I set up the Audyssey Pro this afternoon and it adds a very sense of 3-dimentional sound to movies. My only complaint is the subs(I run 2 JL Audio F113) are a little weak, but I think that is a common complaint with Audyssey. It probably stems from the subs being set "correctly" instead of too hot the way most set them. Just my opinion.

Originally Posted by MarkB

cables are normally "cooked" so that they are at optimum by the time they reach the customer, which is why high-end cables are directional. I am an engineer, but I cannot tell you why this is.

Originally Posted by Johnla

And yet even being a engineer who can not say why any of this is, you more or less imply that directional cables can only operate properly if they are aimed in the correct direction, (cough) and that they also may require a break-in/burn-in/cooking in order to operate properly. (cough, cough, cough) Unless there is a diode in them, electricity sure don't see them like a one way street and it will flow either way. And there sure is no reason or legit explanation for electricity to care if they have been "cooked" or not....The main reason why most directional cables are called directional, is not because that they have been "cooked", instead many times it is only because they leave one end ungrounded. And although that may or may not help some with a ground loop issue, it really should have no bearing on the sound. Also seeing as how there are even some vendors of power cords who say they use a directional cable in their construction as part of their wild claims about their products, that's a farce! Because any type of cable that is used for the operation of conducting a A/C voltage or signal, it really could not be directional and also still operate properly in passing A/C.