Tweakers' Asylum

ROHS, break in and the Heed CanAmp

158.96.4.13

Steve Parry

...I recently bought a new Heed CanAmp to go with my Senn HD600s. I noted the amp had the Reduction of Hazardous Substances (ROHS) sticker on the bottom, so at the least this should be using lead free solder, which some prefer and some detest.

Well this unit has been well reviewed, but I was shocked at how dark and closed-in sounding it was after 100 hours of break in. I have been amazed though at how much better it is sounding as I get to 200 hours, which is EXACTLY what others have noted re this unit.

So if you get this unit, be sure you really do break it in for 200 hours first. And does anyone have a particular comment on their experience with lead free solder and time for break in relative to "regular" solder?

I just note this all due to the radical changes in sound I'm hearing...

Steve

Follow Ups:

Echo the comments below - unclestu52 10:52:18 06/02/07 (0)
I've been using lead free solder for about 6 to 7 years now, initially for health reasons, but also for performance increases. The lead free solder does take a bit longer than the leaded stuff to break in, and I would estimate about 40 hours or so. Your prolonged break in period is probably due to some other component, possibly the capacitors.

The break in change is actually opposite to what you describe. I find the initial sound of the unleaded stuff to be a bit bright and then it subsides with great detail and frequency extension in the top end. Sometimes I have to remove bypass caps previously installed.

Stu
RE: ROHS, break in and the Heed CanAmp - Dave Garretson 08:09:43 06/02/07 (0)
Bobby Palkovic, who manufactures Merlin loudspeakers, referred me to Cardas no-lead solder after determining that the switch to no-lead solder for ROHs-compliance had significantly improved the sound of his products. Government regulation may be a good thing afterall...

I've been using Cardas no-lead solder for awhile now and tend to agree. However the improvement was noticeable after little break in time. Perhaps other components in your headphone amp are the culprits. The sound is less edgy than the WBT silver I had been using--some might perceive this as darker-- but to me the no-lead sounds both relaxed & detailed.

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