Does an D-Stile Amp need time to burn in?

[jazzcat]

Hi,
does an D-Stile Amp need time (50 to 100 hours as I read on the ceriatone forum) to burn in, to loose fizzy and harshness?
If yes, what needs time...only the tubes or anything else?
Thank you so much!

[bluesfendermanblues]

Yes it does. You'll be amazed by the development in tone after the burn in period.
When you turn on a newly build amp for the first time, you'll be dissapointed and find that its very far from robben ford or david lindley, but after burn in its milk and honey.

[toneslinger]

Mine sounds great right out of the box.
The fx loop helps alot i think on taming the beast.

Just took delivery of my TEXAS RANGE ~ MASTER
Shad Damron made it for me and all I can say is
it sounds fantastic already right out of the box.

Im getting ej lane lindley tones even srv.

[David Root]

So if I put cheapo 6L6GCs in my new #124 (don't want to wear out my RCA blackplates) and just leave it on with no signal will that do it, or does it have to be actually played for 50 hours or so?

I guess what I'm asking is, is it enough to have the DC on or does it need an AC signal as well, in order to break in?

[greiswig]

Mine sounds great right out of the box.
The fx loop helps alot i think on taming the beast.

Just took delivery of my TEXAS RANGE ~ MASTER
Shad Damron made it for me and all I can say is
it sounds fantastic already right out of the box.

Im getting ej lane lindley tones even srv.

Some amp builders, particularly ones with less volume, may take the time to burn an amp in before it goes out the door. This would help them make sure the amp is working as it should, and will continue to do so. Well, that's what I'd do anyway...

[10thTx]

I am curious ......... what do you feel is actually happening that creates a positive tone change after burn in? I understand speaker break in somewhat but I am not clear what people feel happens to "burn in" an amp's tone.

I am aware of acclimating to a different amp tone after a build (meaning the new amp has a tone I am not familiar with), but I can't say I've ever heard a changed and improved tone after playing for a while. Not saying it doesn't happen just saying I am not aware of experiencing that.


With respect, 10thtx

[Structo]

I don't know how much hype is involved but I believe it is mainly the caps that are said to break in.
I suppose also the tubes will mellow a bit after some hours of run time since they lose their high frequency response first.

John at Sozo wrote this piece on break in you might find interesting.
Not sure if I buy everything he says but just the same.
Like he claims it takes 100 hours to fully break in his caps.
That is a lot of hours! Say you play the amp every day for 1 hour.
100 days?

http://www.sozoamplification.com/break_in.html

[Zippy]

Yes it does. You'll be amazed by the development in tone after the burn in period.
When you turn on a newly build amp for the first time, you'll be dissapointed and find that its very far from robben ford or david lindley, but after burn in its milk and honey.

A poor amp will suck forever.

[FYL]

John at Sozo wrote this piece on break in you might find interesting.

This piece was written by Bullshit, Hogwash and associates, was it?

[BobW]

The article is "interesting" to say the least, to say the most it's sounds like a Gerald Weber article. 80% baloney factor.

[David Root]

I don't see that much difference in the before and after sine waves. Not that that necessarily translates into what you hear.

[talbany]

IMO.. It depends on the cap.. For instance Malloy 150's difficult to tell.. The 715P OD you can hear.. OPT transformers pushed the first 100+ hours will also have a smoothing softening effect as well..You have to push them get em warm..This from Ken Fisher..

Tony

[Zippy]

OPT transformers pushed the first 100+ hours will also have a smoothing softening effect as well..You have to push them get em warm..This from Ken Fisher..

Tony

I could imagine that would be due to magnetic hysteresis effects.

I have a more difficult time understanding why there would be a sonic effect in capacitors - especially on the time scale of 100 hours or more.

[Deric]

I've often wondered if 100 hours is the magic point where the brain will forget what it used to sound like before they were "broken in".

[hitchcaster]

everything burns in... but its just going to make a good amp sound even better.. not make a harsh and fizzy amp sound amazing.. give it time, but you may later want to upgrade the OT or try some mods on it