Break in period for Audio gear

[Mickstape]

Ok so this prob needs to be in the other section but after the big fuss in the mixmasters thread i thought i should ask for clarification on something that i've been meaning to ask for a while.

Does gear need a run-in period? Like a brand new motor or rifle would?

To use a high end compressor as an example, does the tone of the signal change after time as it is used more? If so what would be the appropriate "run-in" time for a unit like this? Would it be measured in hours? Or would it be referenced to how hard it has been pushed and what sort of signal is being passed through it?

So if i was to buy something "Brand New" as opposed to something that has had, say, 30 hours of use for 80% of the "New" price would i be getting more bang for my buck because it has been "run-in" so to speak. I imagine that transistors, caps, resistors and valves in a unit would colour a signal noticeably much more after some use than one that has only been tested for QC at the factory. Is this the case?

To use a motor as an example, being into dirt bikes i know now that in the 80's a motor would only have 15-20 hours run-in at the factory as opposed to 100+ hours run in time now on all the components. What is the "break-in" for audio gear, if there is any at all?

[Thirteen]

Speakers usually need to be run in, some manufacturers suggest running the speakers with modest levels of music for a day or so before using them for mixing. I usually put them in a room with the fronts of the speakers facing each other and put a cd player on loop play for the day and shut the door. Don't need to be loud, just need to be worked and gently run in.

[jkhuri44]

depends on the gear maybe?

monitors and monitor head phones need a run in period for example...
i dont think u get better value for something run in already, running in is just part of buying new gear...running it in urself assures the lack of abuse :P

[heathen]

i think most high end audio gear companies do "soak tests" for about a week to see if it's behaving correctly. I dunno my high end gear for the most part sounds the same to me as when I bought it, new or old.

Though don't really know about being "run in" as such for hardware, I think though once established that a piece is working within spec it will stay that way for a good period of time if it's built and maintained properly in proper operating conditions.

My Ford 96 Futura has 340,000 km on it, still goes great, especially with a few new parts, but looks a bit worse for ware, still gets me exactly where I want though with minimal problems.

[Mickstape]

ok thanks dudes. i was unaware of the speaker run-in so i'll post that away in the grey matter for when i get my focals.

as for the sound staying the same then i gather its not until thousands of hours have been logged until unnatural colouration becomes evident in tubes and other components. joy for me. so many hours to await playing with gear i don't yet own hahaha. haha. sniff.