SMc Audio Virtual Reality Engine Preamplifier VRE-1 - Manual (Page 9)

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Please Note: The VRE-1 is a hand-built work of “industrial art.” It is a beautiful
object, and a great deal of effort has gone into its creation. Ironically, because it
is hand-made, you may find small blemishes that do not occur in the routine
perfection of mass-marketed consumer goods. We believe you’ll accept these as
part of the unique personality of your VRE-1.
Your VRE-1 comes with a set of high-quality damping feet from Vibrapod.
However, you may wish to experiment with other types of feet, including hard
points. Any change in the feet will affect sonic performance, and it is up to you to
decide if the change is worthwhile. The best accessory feet I have experience
with are the Apex feet from Grand Prix Audio (see www.GrandPrixAudio.com for
more information). CAUTION: Vibrapod Isolators may blemish certain finishes.
Use drink coasters, playing cards, or other thin pieces of paper or plastic under
them to protect your fine furniture.
Interconnect Cables
The subject of interconnect cables is important because they can have a
profound impact on your system’s performance. Your VRE-1 has been designed
to be compatible with all types of cables, but choosing the right set of cables can
enhance your sense of involvement and your listening pleasure. Unfortunately,
there is no way to predict which cables will work best for you, and the fact that I
use a particular brand is no guarantee that they will work as well in your system.
You must evaluate cables by listening to them in your own system, and you must
not allow yourself to be overly swayed by reviews and other opinions. Trust your
own ears and your own judgement.
Break-in Period
The notion that audio equipment changes how it sounds or “breaks-in” over time
is controversial in some circles (much like everything in audio), but it is very real
to me. It seems clear to me that new pieces of equipment undergo a process of
change that may take a few days, or even a few weeks to complete. The exact
reasons why are endlessly arguable, but include electrical, thermal, chemical,
mechanical, and psychological effects. Honestly, I am not interested in debating
the reasons why, but I do want to make you aware of the process.
The break-in phenomenon has become more of an issue in recent years
because the latest high-performance parts seem to take longer to fully break-in.
Some newer parts (like carbon wire) take little or no time to sound their best, but
the great majority of new parts I have discovered take quite a while to fully reveal
themselves. A few parts, like the Lundahl amorphous-core transformers, take an
unusually long time - up to several weeks.