Break in time for Black Gate Caps?

[GAH]

What is considered the typical break in time for a set of Black Gate caps (100UF N type and 1,000UF STD type) in a bridged LM3874 chip amp?

[SimontY]

I couldn't give you an exact figure but I'd say it could take weeks for the sound to settle down. A few hundred hours perhaps.

Simon

[lanchile]

Originally Posted by GAH

What is considered the typical break in time for a set of Black Gate caps (100UF N type and 1,000UF STD type) in a bridged LM3874 chip amp?

Well,if you play everyday like 5 hrs. I would say a month!. (I use Black Gate caps k) and also Mundorf caps and it took aprox a month to settle.it is worth the wait!

[johnm]

...and even then according to those in the know you have to leave them on or you need to embark upon the whole burning in process again!

[GAH]

Thanks fellas for your comments. I have been leaving the amp on continuously for the last few weeks and have notice some improvement to the sound.

[calvert73]

Martin Colloms noted improvements after one year of 'burn in' and so have I, I really dont think you can evaluate BG sound quality until you've burned them in for 3 months, the 100 hour figure so often quoted is not actually burn in time, more like 'starting to operate' time, or as another BG fan puts it 'Activation time' Jelmax term this 'idling time'

RC

[johnm]

If a component takes a year to sound it's best then that component hasn't been very well designed at all... to put it VERY mildly! Especially if you have to leave the gear on 24/7. Not good for cap. longevity not to mention the environment.

Perhaps I'm impatient or something, but I'd rather by listening to my equipment performing at its best within a week at the very most. Preferably a lot less. I have been down the Black Gate N route, but realised I was spending all my music listening time listening to the sound of caps breaking in, rather than the music itself...

...and if you have a power cut or something you have to start the process all over again! Crazyness!

However each to his/her own.

[SimontY]

BG N are nothing special anyway, as a coupling cap, and neither are AC either really IMO

[lanchile]

Originally Posted by SimontY

BG N are nothing special anyway, as a coupling cap, and neither are AC either really IMO

I have used a lot of caps and the ones I chose for my amp are Mundorf and Black gate FK caps. Believe or not...They make a big difference for sure!.
I have never use the BG N, so I can not compare to the other ones that I have use.

[SimontY]

I am a fan of BG and Munforfs myself, I have used plenty of BG standard as decouplers and Mundy Supremes for coupling. Love them both for their musicality!