"I know that the car dealers used to advise breaking in a car for the first so-and-so many miles. But the last car I got, the dealer said that wasn't necessary."

Will - that dealer is a wanker. While mfg tolerances are probably better on cars than 30 years ago, it still pays to break them in nicely (limit revs, vary speed, etc.)

If you go talk to a decent mechanic or a dealer of higher end performance cars, they will tell you it's worthwhile (although, yes, I guess it's not "necessary"). Your engine will work better. I have broken in every new car (or engine) I've had (at least a dozen) and my mileage has consistently been better than other people I talked to with similar cars, and it sure wasn't from my driving style.

Back on topic - I asked my dad what he thought about burn-in on SS audio stuff, expecting his "what a stupid question" face (he's a PhD in solid state physics), but to my surprise , nope. He mentioned that the radar arrays on the naval ships he served on were left on for days before final calibration (far longer than just warmup) as they would otherwise drift, and the process had to be repeated after even a brief power-off. Sort of an argument for both leaving your stuff on and for burn-in.

BB

edit: Oh and he doesn't give a rat's *** about high end audio, the years in the Navy left a string of big holes in his hearing response.

[This message has been edited by Brandon B (edited October 10, 2002).]