cartridge "break-in" period

[cat9]

Hi Everyone,

Just received a new Denon DL301MKII cart last week and it is being mounted and properly aligned as we speak - as my TT is in for some preventative maintenance.

I have recently re-entered the world of vinyl and been fortunate enough to acquire a Denon DP45-F TT - one owner and mint!

With much guidance from experts here at vinylengine I purchased the 301 to go well with the low mass arm on my table.

What do I expect when I get this set-up back home and put on some familiar lp's? The TT had a Shure M97HE (great condition) on it when I purchased it.

I don't want to judge anything too quickly - what will I hear, not hear...and how long does this cart take to "break-in" if that is even a fair term to use?

Any thoughts from cart experts out there and those with specific knowledge of the 301MKII?

Thanks!!

cat9

[Alec124c41]

You should not be disappointed with the initial sound, and it will only get better. IIRC an hour makes a difference. Lovely cartridge.

Cheers,
Alec

[bauzace50]

Hi,

in my experience with several Denon cartridges, they have ALL performed admirably right out of the box.

Apart from that, I am an iconoclast regarding this subject. My belief, unsupported by any data at all, is that the cartridge performs at its best as it comes from the manufacturer. It is a position borne out of a strictly personal premise.

Congratulations on your purchase, which has a lot of good testimonials behind it.

Regards,
bauzace50

[megatrends]

My new Shure M97xe seems to still have a crisp new sound and have been told it will break in and get a better sound. Not that it sounds bad mind you.

It sounds "new" .... my new turntable also still has that new turntable motor smell ... new gear takes a bit of time to break in. Electric guitars, cars , etc etc.

[Doug G.]

Anything mechanical (which includes the stylus suspension and diamond polish in cartridges) will go through a bit of break-in with use but when I read things like, "This cartridge sounded like crap until it had 500 hours on it and then suddenly snapped into focus and sounded like Angels singing", I know somebody is full of something.

So, I generally agree with bauzace50.



Doug

[EdAInWestOC]

My personal opinion on break-in is that it is real and the differences can be noticable. I've never had one go from terrible to great but they all have had slight changes after around 50 hours. The bass, in particular, seems to gain more weight and the whole presentation is better balanced after a number of hours to "break-in" or whatever you want to call it.

Ed

[megatrends]

Thanks for the info about this stuff, much appreciated. My Shure M97xe cart sounds magnificent.

God I love my records.

[mrow2]

I've been wondering about break in; I've noticed many stylus(es) have the thinnest coating of glue/epoxy/resin or whatever it is that seals the diamond and post to the hole in the cantilever. If any of it finds its way to the tip during the manufacturing process, it could possibly affect the sound a little bit. I suspect this wears off, and if it is on the thick side (sometimes it is) it can take a little longer or perhaps just slide off after an hour or so. If this is the case, there might be no hard and fast rule that it is one hour or ten to break in a stylus. But the other aspect of this is gaining a slight bit of polish from the grooves of a well played but good record, and this might be regarded as proper break in as well.

I have seen some well played, good quality styli come by that have a gritty silica-colored coating of dirt, oil, record cleaning agents, whatever kind of stylus-crete you can imagine. It can be so hard and thick that there is an appearance of a missing or worn diamond at the end of the post. I must chip this off under a microscope using a good sewing needle, sharpened toothpick, tiny brush and alcohol to see what is underneath; usually it is a very nice stylus. Can only imagine the sound was not quite as bright as it otherwise should have been. Typically takes 10-15 min to clean one like this, sometimes longer. Detailing a cartridge can take an hour or longer for me to do a decent job.

[cat9]

Well Alec124 was right!

Right out of the gate, so to speak, the cart sounds amazing.
I'm only a few lp's in but the difference is dramatic. If there is such a thing as a break-in period and things only get better from here (to a certain point of course) then I am in for real treat as this cart improves. I am looking forward to it!!

Good listening!
cat9