Breaking in a new AV Receiver

[admin_exported]

How should we "stress test" a new AV Receiver to ensure that everything is working properly? Should we say have the AV Receiver on for 24/48 hours straight and if it is still running after being used for that prolongled period straight, then everything should be OK? Or is this an overkill which is guaranteed to overheat any AV Receiver and possibly buring the house down?

I've heard of people who continuously play their new speakers for 48-100 hours straight to "break-in" their new speakers but I guess there isn't much risk of speakers catching fire or anything, right?

 

[radovantz]

I think it should be ok if the receiver is equipped with proper air ventilation fans, and receive well managed power supply, and not turned volume too high.

 

[Anonymous]

But is it necessary? I've heard of people breaking in new speakers and TVs for at least 100 hours or so and quality is supposed to be better after that. Don't know whether the same applies to AV Receivers?

 

[Anonymous]

I don't trust an amplifier that doesn't have barograph display with clipping indicators.

 

[Andrew Everard]

JBLsince1990:I don't trust an amplifier that doesn't have barograph display with clipping indicators.

That must rather limit your choices. I've never considered the need for atmospheric pressure readouts on an amplifier before.

 

[Anonymous]

Huh? What does that got to do with the need to break in an AV Receiver?

 

[Anonymous]

Breaking in audio equipment usually refers mainly to stuff with actual moving parts, or parts that improve with wear such as speakers. You get substantial change in speakers performance as they are broken in, and if anything they'll continue to improve for a long time. For stuff like AV receivers, you just need to let them warm up.

 

[Anonymous]

So speakers continue to improve in performance? When do they hit their peak and then start to decline in performance as they age? For AV Receivers, what did you mean by let them warm up? As in we should just switch them on say 10 minutes before actually using it? And it does not improve with age because no moving parts? What about TVs then which also don't have any moving parts but are supposed to improve after the first 100 hours or so?

 

[Anonymous]

Speakers will continue to improve for a long time after a human ear stops hearing any audible difference, which is usually 100-200 hours depending on speaker.

Amps such as Onkyo's will probably reach optimum 30mins - 1 hour after you turn them on. Over time humidity, temperature, dust and the stress of operation will take it's toll and it will eventually fail ( in the way the sun will eventually fail ).

ÿLCD TV's work in the same way as above. I have no experience with plasma so wouldn't like to say.

ÿ