x250.5 on the way!

[mbovaird]

Originally Posted by merkinman

I did plug the amp into a power conditioner and it helped slightly. The break-in is driving me crazy though...it will sound like it's finally settling down and then back to aggressive and confusing. Today was definitely a move in the right direction, as it seemed to sound more natural...I could finally turn up the volume to the extreme without it driving me out of the room.

Keep going my friend. Break in is always a pain. You're on the right track.

[Down Under]

Originally Posted by merkinman

I did plug the amp into a power conditioner and it helped slightly. The break-in is driving me crazy though...it will sound like it's finally settling down and then back to aggressive and confusing. Today was definitely a move in the right direction, as it seemed to sound more natural...I could finally turn up the volume to the extreme without it driving me out of the room.

Pretty soon it will drive you into the room.
They say patience is a virtue,but it is also a trial.
My X260.5 mono blocks are wonderful and I have no doubt yours will be too.Follow the advice of everyone here as they all know Pass is class.

[merkinman]

Getting an XP-10 today to try out with the amp. This pre is brand new so it will probably take a while to break in. Any ideas of how long it will take before I can make serious judgments? This will be the first preamp I will have the pleasure of hearing in my system...up to now I've been using a Denon AVR using pure analog pass-through.

[mbovaird]

Merkinman,

You need to give it a good 100 hours. Probably closer to 200 hours. Keep a log of how many hours each session. What you think is 100 hours, might only be 50!

Mike.

[merkinman]

Do I actually have to have source material playing through the pre or will leaving it on be sufficient? Same question goes for amp break in.

[mbovaird]

Sources playing. It needs to receive signal. To break in the preamp, you CAN leave the amps off. Just play something through the preamp.

[merkinman]

Didn't have time to listen today, but got everything hooked up...not in their permanent location. Here are some pics...sorry about the quality as I took them with my phone.

mail-1.jpeg

mail.jpeg

mail-2.jpeg

[mbovaird]

Nice setup. Thanks for sharing.

Mike

[merkinman]

I had my doubts, but just have to say you guys were absolutely right, as the amp has settled in nicely and it's going nowhere. Can't believe how much difference break-in has made. I just didn't expect this, since my Mac sounded great right away.

Thanks again!

[mdkim]

Glad things are sounding great! Enjoy it man.