There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that a stylus needs to be broken in. However, some people believe that they do. They argue that the stylus needs to be worn in before it can produce the best sound quality.
There are a few reasons why people might believe that styli need to be broken in. One reason is that the stylus is a very delicate piece of equipment. It is made of a very hard material, such as diamond or sapphire, but it is also very thin. When the stylus is first installed, it may be slightly misaligned. This can cause it to skip or produce a distorted sound. Over time, as the stylus is used, it will wear in and become more aligned. This can improve the sound quality.
Another reason why people might believe that styli need to be broken in is that the stylus needs to be lubricated. The stylus is coated in a very thin layer of lubricant. This lubricant helps to reduce friction and improve the sound quality. Over time, the lubricant may dry out. This can cause the stylus to skip or produce a distorted sound. Playing the stylus for a few hours can help to re-lubricate the stylus and improve the sound quality.
Ultimately, whether or not you believe in the stylus break-in period is up to you. If you are concerned about it, you can simply start listening to your records right away. However, if you are not concerned, you can wait a few hours or even a few days before playing your records.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind about stylus break-in periods:
- The break-in period is not necessary for all styli. Some styli are designed to sound their best right out of the box.
- The break-in period may not be as noticeable on high-quality styli. These styli are typically made with high-quality materials that do not need to be worn in.
- The break-in period can be affected by the environment. If the stylus is played in a dusty or dirty environment, the break-in period may be longer.
If you are still not sure whether or not to believe in the stylus break-in period, you can always consult with a professional audio engineer. They will be able to give you their opinion based on their experience.
In my opinion, it is not necessary to break in a stylus. However, if you are concerned about it, you can simply start listening to your records right away and see if you notice any difference. If you do not notice any difference, then you can be confident that your stylus is not damaged and that it is ready to be used.
