Hilbert and some others seem to have some pretty strong ideas concerning something they seem to know little about.
What I'm curious about is are they closed minded to any knowledgeable input that might correct their position, or is trying to say anything just a total waste of time?
I haunt chat forum sites because often times there are those who know what they are talking about when I have questions about specific things, such as cable burners. I find responses such as ill informed references to something being ridiculous to be rather ridiculous.
Cable does have break in times that are all over the place.
See my intro for a funny story about my Uncle Dick, I'm almost sure none of these guys knows him.
---------- Post added at 02:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:01 PM ----------
Hilbert, in response to your statement about being able to hear what you hear and being a student of audio.
I think you are on to something there, but you might be missing a critical element. As a student you are going to be doing 95% listening to those who know what they are talking about. If you are talking (as a student) you can't hear what the master has to say. There are a lot of issues concerning cable that you could spend a lot more time soaking up info on rather than thinking you have become the master.
You make a reference to thinking that perhaps because your system isn't at the peak, tweaks should make an even bigger difference. That is exactly backwards. Tweaks make often times make differences in the realm of improvements that are in the subtle and finest of details. If a system doesn't have the resolution to operate in that realm of finest details your less than peak system simply won't register the difference at all. Good example here is that a good power cord makes enough difference to hear in any system. But the difference between a $500 cord and a $3500 is far more subtle and refined. In your system you wouldn't hear but a tiny difference, take a well put together and properly cabled $50k system and the $3500 power cord reveals layers of bass detail and background silence that are amazing. So in your system you aren't hearing any difference, does that mean you are making a valid point to tell someone else that the $3500 power cord is bunk and not worth wasting the money on? That is exactly what guys with mid grade systems do, they think that because they've tried quite an array of different things they have arrived at an elevated state. Two guys with tens of thousands of dollars in their systems discussing the merits of 3 to 5 thousand dollar power cords don't need to hear the input of the guy who can't relate.
No one can take how something sounds to you away from you, but until you have heard something in another system that has it right you aren't going to even hear what others are talking about. So where does your potentially fractional experience come into being able to definitively make a judgement call on something that they must be well beyond your experience in?
There's nothing more frustrating than those who are quick to make a call when their reference base just isn't there.
As a retired dealer I could show you differences in cable on any system price point you cared to listen to, it's all in the system synergy as pertains to the cables. I operated on a level that could take every individual system and evaluate it as to where the weak link is. By addressing weaknesses in order the differences are always rewarding and don't conflict with other upgrades. Upgrades made in the wrong order before a weak link is addressed get lost and don't make the difference they would or could if there were something else done first.
As to cable break in, it is a problem for someone who sells cable as customers want to hear the differences right away. Some of my favorite cables can go through really cruddy periods of as much as 3 or 4 weeks running them 24/7. Any device that could eliminate that would be a plus for a dealer selling cable.
I hope I haven't offended you as that wasn't the idea here.