Esoteric break-in

[aardvarkbark]

I expect to receive a K03X tomorrow or Monday (thank you Ivan!). I will be manually spinning CDs.

I've read that each filter requires 300 hrs of break-in.

Does each level of upsampling require it's own break-in, as well? Specifically, if I start with the S_DLY2 filter and 8x upsampling, then want to try it at 4x, then no upsampling, do each of those require an additional 300 hrs to break-in?

Further, I eventually intend to add a device such as the SilenZio to play through the usb input on the Esoteric. Does this input port also require 300 hrs of break-in?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!

[tdelahanty]

Esoteric has a wonderful break-in and system conditioning disc which I used on both my players (K07 & K05). It does a great job. If it doesn't come with your player it can be purchased directly form them.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by tdelahanty

Esoteric has a wonderful break-in and system conditioning disc which I used on both my players (K07 & K05). It does a great job. If it doesn't come with your player it can be purchased directly form them.

Tom... they stopped supplying that years ago, and no longer sell it either. Any disc on repeat will work fine; alternate between CD and SACD every other day.

[John49]

Originally Posted by aardvarkbark

I expect to receive a K03X tomorrow or Monday (thank you Ivan!). I will be manually spinning CDs. I've read that each filter requires 300 hrs of break-in. Does each level of upsampling require it's own break-in, as well? Specifically, if I start with the S_DLY2 filter and 8x upsampling, then want to try it at 4x, then no upsampling, do each of those require an additional 300 hrs to break-in? Further, I eventually intend to add a device such as the SilenZio to play through the usb input on the Esoteric. Does this input port also require 300 hrs of break-in? Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!

I did think about buying an Esoteric player, but have doubts as to whether I will live long enough to break it in!

[nycjazz]

Lol!!!

[aardvarkbark]

Originally Posted by John49

I did think about buying an Esoteric player, but have doubts as to whether I will live long enough to break it in!

LOL! I've been doing the math too. 300 hrs per filter/upsample combo; 3 hrs/day playing; that'll be.....2017 when I know how they all ultimately sound.

So now I'm thinking about doing a capital raise for a venture where we would develop climate-controlled high-end audio break-in facilities. They'd be like nice self-storage places, but with upgraded sound insulation on the exterior walls. Customers can rent speakers, sources, amps (whatever component they're not breaking in). They'd get a 8x10 room. Offer usb connection to a central server that streams continuously if they're not breaking in a source. They'd set it up, leave, come back in two weeks -- voi lay! 300 hrs.

[tdelahanty]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Tom... they stopped supplying that years ago, and no longer sell it either. Any disc on repeat will work fine; alternate between CD and SACD every other day.

Wow, it doesn't seem that long ago when I purchased it. Out of touch, old fart syndrome

[aardvarkbark]

John49....what on earth is your avatar?!? Is that some sort of metaphor for a turntable?

[crwilli]

I guess while there seems to be a rule of thumb on the break-in of an Esoteric player, in my experience, it is a beautiful ride and frankly I have no clue when or if my unit is broken in. If there is a point where they start to sound their best, it is approached like an asymptote. Very, very gradually from 99.9% as a starting point.

[2fastdriving]

^^ agree. ^^

This is all a little over the top IMHO. Mine sounded great from day one, I don't think I even experienced break-in changes.