Ipod for "burning in"

makepeace

I read on matta's thread about his champ build that he plugged an iPod into the amp for some hours to burn it in. I was instructed by a big red message to start a new thread, so here it is.

Is this common practice and safe? Just thinking about the implications.. iPod's have a far higher output than guitars.

Karel-Mars

I would recommend burning in your amp with something like an iPod. This way you can hear the changes as the hours go by.
A 100hours is typical for a new amp. Even 48hours is better than none. This is preferably done in a garage or a soundproof room. You can also do it softly in you bedroom, but the sound can be sharp. Lay the amp face down on the floor if it improves the sound.

I would even burn the amp in before recording a track, for sweeter sounds.

The input of a guitar amplifier can withstand massive input levels. What does overdrive pedals do?

I would turn the amp to max and then turn up the iPod level till the sound is as loud as I/my neighbours can tolerate. After tinkering with the circuit I would burn it in again.

TomCat

Karel Mars wrote: I would recommend burning in your amp with something like an iPod. This way you can hear the changes as the hours go by.
A 100hours is typical for a new amp. Even 48hours is better than none. This is preferably done in a garage or a soundproof room. You can also do it softly in you bedroom, but the sound can be sharp. Lay the amp face down on the floor if it improves the sound.

I would even burn the amp in before recording a track, for sweeter sounds.

The input of a guitar amplifier can withstand massive input levels. What does overdrive pedals do?

I would turn the amp to max and then turn up the iPod level till the sound is as loud as I/my neighbours can tolerate. After tinkering with the circuit I would burn it in again.

Big +1 to the burning in.....My amp's tone has changed...improved immensely as the hours clock up.

6x9base13

Karel Mars wrote: After tinkering with the circuit I would burn it in again.

Mmm, been pondering this all evening ! I thought the burn in was to loosen up the speaker cones. I never thought the electrikery bits changed other than maybe valves over time.

How would a circuit benefit from burning ?

makepeace

6x9base13 wrote:
Karel Mars wrote: After tinkering with the circuit I would burn it in again.
Mmm, been pondering this all evening ! I thought the burn in was to loosen up the speaker cones. I never thought the electrikery bits changed other than maybe valves over time.

How would a circuit benefit from burning ?

Just read this:

All audio electronic components require some burn-in time to perform to specification. Smaller capacitors wake up generally after 50 hours of use; larger capacitors can take months from new. Tubes generally take about 100 hours to sing and get the full benefit of the beauty of the tube sound. When you first turn on your amp you will still get great sound, but to trained ears that sound will be ‘choked’ and ‘tight’. There may or may not be any soundstage. As your amp gets more time on it, it will start to ‘open up’.

6x9base13

makepeace wrote:
6x9base13 wrote:
Karel Mars wrote: After tinkering with the circuit I would burn it in again.
Mmm, been pondering this all evening ! I thought the burn in was to loosen up the speaker cones. I never thought the electrikery bits changed other than maybe valves over time.

How would a circuit benefit from burning ?
Just read this:

All audio electronic components require some burn-in time to perform to specification. Smaller capacitors wake up generally after 50 hours of use; larger capacitors can take months from new. Tubes generally take about 100 hours to sing and get the full benefit of the beauty of the tube sound. When you first turn on your amp you will still get great sound, but to trained ears that sound will be ‘choked’ and ‘tight’. There may or may not be any soundstage. As your amp gets more time on it, it will start to ‘open up’.

interesting, thanks!

rikus

Just a quick question on volume... How loud do I need to turn up the volume for it to be effective?

Can I for example turn the gain up nice and high and then adjust the i-pod volume so that the volume is at a reasonable listening to music type level?

The reason I ask it that I want to leave it playing for a couple of days while at work, but I can't really have it turned up loud while I'm not there.