Cable break-in

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by AVphile

Regardless whether if so or if not, what exactly is going on physically over time within a cable which results in its being broken in?

At end of the day, it's a transfer function: a "physics"-based interaction between the conductor and the dielectric, among other things (including vibration; see below)

Also, there is "settling time" as well, which is another factor any time cables are transported (e.g. coming off a logistics truck), or even being moved or "re-dressed".

There's also the impact of vibration, especically on speaker and power cables: some of the noise factors here are tribolectric noise imparted by vibration from the floor into the cable dielectric and the other being the static e-field that is created when lifting a cable off the floor (unless it's dissipated in some manner). Because the signal is an electromagnetic wave (not electrons moving like "water flowing through a hose" or "marbles rolling in a tube") that propogates down the conductor, it's susceptible to these noise factors.

[W9TR]

Originally Posted by AVphile

I understand the concept, and utility, of "break-in". After all, my new shoes are definitely more comfortable after they have been worn for a while and have consequently conformed to the shape of my feet. What I don't understand is the scientific basis behind the breaking in of a cable. Is a cable, like a shoe, a mechanical device, too? Regardless whether if so or if not, what exactly is going on physically over time within a cable which results in its being broken in?

There is no scientific basis behind the breaking in of a cable. There is no physical material characteristic changes in the cable conductors or dielectric before or after break-in. There is no credible objective evidence.

In the game of creating palpable audible illusions, however, none of this matters.

What matters is that you are breaking in or even creating new ear-brain neural pathways. Or pathways between your wallet and your brain.