Looking deeper

In our series on break in and trying to discover some of the whys and wherefores, we've started with the obvious. Mechanical break in, including the effects of age and weather. Now it's time to think about the actual components themselves. Begin rant. The idea of a piece of electronics sounding different after using it for a week or more is flatly rejected by more people than those who buy into the idea. And not by a little. Break in is the subject of ridicule from people who simply cannot wrap their heads around the phenomena, and so, reject the notion out of hand, despite any empirical evidence to the contrary. It's easy, comfortable and safe to outright reject things you haven't experienced, or someone hasn't measured. Worse, it's easier to supply examples demonstrating the opposite, than it is to be open to understanding what others experience–when those experiences run counter to your own. Those whose experience something look for answers explaining the phenomena, while those who have never experienced something ridicule its very existence. We're a funny bunch of creatures. And, here's the thing. I've learned over many years of frustration that when someone folds their arms and says "prove it to me" it's never worth the effort because they're not actually looking to learn. What they're hoping for is either a fight, or continued proof they're right. And so, I don't try any more. Life's too short to beat your head against the wall. And besides, it hurts. End rant. So what is it we do know happens over time and use inside equipment? Some parts change their behavior. Like capacitors. Capacitors are funny devices. They won't pass DC but they will pass AC. They can act like a battery, they can be selective in which frequencies they do or do not pass, and few pieces of audio electronics operates without them. They are an essential component in the stereo systems we listen to our music on. So how do capacitors change with use? Gotta wait till tomorrow.