Questions about burning-in

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I read from the forum that it takes 4 weeks or above but does that mean "running" time?

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Yes. Six weeks minimum if all is new gear. I personally have found significant improvements over 4-6 months with my new gear. Some find this hard to believe and so do I. But there you go, its what I have experienced.

On the other hand, it should all sound more than good from cold. If it doesn't, something may need tweaking in your set up.

Paul

Thanks Paul, but what bothers me is regarding that 4-6 weeks, does it mean the sistem has to be "running" (playing a CD) all the time? Or just turned on?

6 weeks running the CD player won't hurt it if that's what's bothering you.
I think the general concensus is simply to be aware that the gear takes a while to sound awesome, but don't panic in the meantime.
Leave the gear on always, have fun and listen lots. The more you listen, the less time it takes to burn in.
Simple.

Joe90

Willip

I wonder why my CD5 sounds different than yours from new, when I had just got mine it sounded harsh and very edgey, bright. But as I've used it, it has settled down and now is sounding much smoother and articulate. It may be the cabling I'm using, I would like to upgrade the cables soon but finances restrict, I've got a car fetish that keeps me very poor

Milk&Juice,

Thanks for sharing. Actually to be accurate, I got the CD5 first and it has been running for close to 100 hours before the 202/200/Naca 5 comes in. The first 50 hours is as you said, highs are bright, harsh and sound like crap. And now the brights improve but the bass is very blurred...

As I said, I keep them playing 7x24 now. Anyone can enlighten me if it is necessary to play different types of music? (for speakers, I know I should, but how about amps and spk cables?)

How long actual running time does the NACA 5 actually need?

Can't speak for the 200/202 (which will probably be my next upgrade). As for the CD5, it took a couple of months to stop sounding "all over the place". The first month was the worst. Ponderous, mushy bass, midband OK, treble a bit edgy. All was smoothness in the end. I just left it switched on all the time, I don't think it's necessary to have a CD running but as Joe says, it won't do any harm.

When a HiCap arrived a year later it was back to square one, but that only took 3-4 weeks to settle down. It's tempting to start changing things around to recapture the magical sound you heard in the shop (guilty!) but if you can sit tight you will be rewarded.

Very nice system you've got yourself there. Congratulations.

HI Willip,

From new my NACA5 (2x 7mtrs lengths) took about 100 hours of burn in with normal levels of music averaging about 3 hours of play a day. Hope this helps.

Yours in Music

Syd

Go and see your dealer NOW.

All this stuff about running in is valid, but if it doesn't sound absolutely fantastic from new, then it's the dealer's job to step in and sort it.

Naim moderators - where are you - this is bloody basic stuff. Nobody should be told to wait for a month for their system to sound acceptable.

If you want to talk about a system not sounding acceptable, then simply make sure your amplifier is not over-revealing a less-than-perfect choice of front end!

A Naim system sounds great from the first, but like a brand new car, you have to burn it in.
My dad bought a very expensive rifle and he had to fire a round thru it, then clean it, then repeat that 5 times to 'condition' the barrel.
It lengthens the life of the barrel from 10000 shots to about 30000, so worth it of course.
What's the big deal about waiting for your system to get better over a few weeks? I find it a rather fun process.

Joe90

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Originally posted by PR:
if a system doesn't sound great from the offset, at least in comparison to what you’re currently used too, it probably won't get there to your satisfaction.

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That's a fair point, as is kevinl's. My CD5 never sounded awful, just not right. However, the HiCaped CD5 did at times sound terrible - but it didn't last.

I personally don't buy into the "200/202 shows up the weaknesses of the CD5" reasoning - but we all have different ears and Joe knows what he's talking about. Each to their own I guess.

How long do you have the HiCap and FCap for? They're on demo, right? Unless they have to go back soon you are almost certainly be going to be happier by the end of the week. And if you prefer the sound with a FCap that's great. Each to their own - again.

Also what ever you do once you have settled on what ever combo you like don't switch any of it off!
I've just swapped a flat-cap anf hi-cap round (pending an upgrade), and obviously had to switch it off for safety reasons, and its like chucking curtains on the speakers. fortunatly I've done this before (changed items round that is) so knew what to expect.

woh, guys, wait a bit, I am getting confused. Most people said the sound of Naim from dead cold is unbearable for a few weeks but yet some is suggesting that it is not the case?

I am used to gears perform at least up to 70% of their true performance on the first day but also was told that it was not the case for Naim.

OK, a bit clarification. I was using a STEN CDP with Jadis Orchestra Ref and the 1.8 before. Change to CD5 a few months ago and it did magic. And as I was quite sure that the Orchestra Ref (rated at 40W) is under power for the 1.8, I sold it and go for the 202/200 combo.

And of cos, all the "old" wires including power cords, i/c, spk cables are replaced with Naim stuff.

When the connection of the new system was done, it sound really awful. After a few days, it comes to an acceptable level. And I was constantly told by dealers/ naim users that I should hang in there for a little longer. So, what other 202/200 users have to say once they have them set up?

[This message was edited by willip on TUESDAY 19 August 2003 at 08:13.]

Willip

This was said a hundred times before. The new boxes need time to break in. I started with 112/150, had 282/250 and have now 252/300. The higher the level the longer the time it takes to set up.

Bass is the last thing you will get. Mine came yesterday. The balance is still not right. I know it's uncomfortable and you are asking yourself what will come out at the end. Wait for those 6 weeks. You have very nice things.

I only don't know how big your speakers are. I think that they are not easy to drive. After burn in period make a demo with a NAPSC and a *cap for the 202. This will give you more power and cleaner sound. Feeding 202 from 200 is not the best case.

Remember bass will show at the end of the burn in period.

Emil

Thanks Emil for the soothing words, yes, bass is what is lacking now. After 100+ hours of low volume playing, the bass is still blurred. Highs and mids are to a much better level than day one.

Not thinking about upgrade for the moment but the next step would probably be a FC2 for CD5 and/ or a NAPSC for the 202.

PR, I don't mind the burn-in process and I expect the system to perform around 70% of its true performance when brand new. But to my astonishment, too much comments about how bad Naim is in the first month makes me wonder are those 552/500 the same? How can you tolerate when you paid so much?

Willip

Are you still at the dark side of the moon? Let me tell you something. Someone on the forum suggested to leave the system 24 hours unpowered during warming period.

I did this for a night only. 10 hours after switch on the system sounds much better, incl. more bass. There is indeed more to come, but that was already a good improvement.

Emil

Hi, Emil, things do get better (not sure the real case or psychologically) but bass surely didnt appear to be clean and tight yet (tried some speaker placement but not much help). Now, I just take it easy and didnt keep it "playing" for 7x24.

So, what you are saying is that I should switch OFF everything for a day (totally power off)???

I will give it a shot if that gives you some good results though.