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CABLE COOKER FAQ’S……frequently asked questions What is the difference between the standard
version and Pro version? Firstly, the circuitry for the standard Cooker is identical with that of the Pro version, as is the chassis. The Pro version, however, is built for more heavy-duty usage, and features: 1) upgraded heavier-duty all-metal binding posts (especially useful for heavier, stiffer speaker cabling), and 2) a bridging switch & circuit that allows simultaneous break-in of interconnects, speaker cabling, AND power cabling (see below). Please explain what the bridging switch does. With previous version 2.0, interconnects and speaker cable, OR interconnects and power cabling could be broken-in together....just not all three. This is due to the nature and necessity of wiring the connectors in series for the best possible signal integrity (from the Cooker). The optional installation of this bridging switch and circuit (along with the requisite wiring) on the standard Cooker allows simultaneous break-in of all three types of cables without any signal degradation. It is especially useful and time-saving for those who have quite a bit of cabling to condition, and for those who are performing a periodic "recharge" of their cabling on a frequent basis. The bridging switch is a $40 upgrade option on the standard Cooker. (Please note that version 2.0 is no longer in production) What type of cables can be broken-in? The Cable Cooker can condition most types of audio/video cabling. The front panel includes RCA, BNC, and XLR connectors, plus 5-way speaker binding posts. These binding posts accept spades, bananas, and of course, bare wire. The Cooker does "not" have an S-video connector on it, but Radio Shack or another popular commercial supplier might have an RCA-to-S video adaptor that could be used to break in that type of cable. Microphone cables can be conditioned as well with the use of a ¼” plug–to-RCA adaptor. How are power cables broken-in? Each Cable Cooker is supplied with a pair of reverse-male/female, 3-blade/IEC adaptors to enable one power cable to be broken in. These are professionally terminated with Deltron banana connectors that insert into two specific binding posts on the front panel. Power cable break-in occurs on the same high-level circuit designed for speaker cable break-in. Additionally, we have "extension adaptors" made so that power cables may safely be daisy-chained as well. These extension adaptors are available for $10 each. Each adaptor allows an additional power cable to be conditioned (for instance, 3 extension adaptors allows 4 power cables to be broken-in). Can multiple pairs of interconnects be broken in simultaneously? Absolutely. RCA-terminated interconnects may be daisy-chained through the use of barrel connectors (a few pair are supplied with every Cable Cooker). XLR terminated interconnects simply snap together, enabling them to run in series, and directionally. Can interconnects, speaker cabling, and
power cabling be broken-in together? Yes. In normal operation interconnects and speaker cable, OR interconnects and power cabling may be conditioned together... just not all three. The new bridging switch allows the simultaneous conditioning of all three types of cables. How about phono cables? How do I break these in? For vinyl lovers, we make a special DIN-to-RCA phono adaptor that allows both tonearm wire and/or phono cables to be broken-in. In our opinion, due to the incredibly low voltage produced by cartridges (especially low output MC's), tonearm wire and phono cables are "never" broken-in and fully conditioned. The Cable Cooker produces a multiplex signal that is approx. 2000 times stronger than what the average MC cartridge outputs. Dung Tri Mai is now using this phono adaptor, and the Cable Cooker, for all new Triplanar production. The phono adaptor costs $80. It utilizes a Cardas 5-pin DIN connector and Cardas RCA, along with a high-quality 5-foot cable suited for low-level signals. We also include a Velcro band that wraps around the adaptor and tonearm to keep everything immobile and safe from damage during the break-in process. What is the maximum "capacity" of the Cable Cooker? There is NO practical limit. You can Cook as many interconnects, speaker cables, and power cables as you wish. There is no degradation/loss of signal strength or integrity, no matter how many cables are placed on the Cooker. What adaptors are available with my Cable
Cooker? I live outside the United States. Do you make a 220/240 volt version? The Cable Cooker circuitry was designed around a "universal" switching power supply. This DC power supply will operate with any line voltage and frequency around the world. Simply use a generic power cord (from the wall), plug it into the DC power supply, and then plug the DC adaptor into the Cable Cooker. No problem whatsoever. How long does it take to break-in cables? That is dependent upon the gauge of the conductors, the number of conductors, and the amount of dielectric material. Generally, for brand new cable, the suggested guidelines are 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 days for interconnects... 2 to 3 1/2 days for speaker cables... and 3 to 4 days for power cabling. Of course, periodic listening tests are important to determine the optimal conditioning time for different designs, after doing what I call incremental periods of Cooking. For instance, if you Cook a new interconnect for
24 hours, listen, and then repeat the listening tests after every 6 to 8 hours
on the Cooker, you will find the optimal time for that model. When you find
little or no improvement from the previous listening test, the cable is probably
fully conditioned. Over-Cooking can reduce the performance, at least temporarily. The characteristics of this are a reduced or diminished soundstage and a dull, lifeless quality to the music. If this situation occurs, merely letting the cables physically rest, and settle, then putting them back in the music system to play for a few hours brings them back to their optimal performance level. Over-Cooking does NOT do any damage to the cabling whatsoever. Again, incremental listening tests are highly recommended to avoid over-Cooking one’s cables. For a speaker cable requiring 200 hours of break-in, how long should it be plugged into the Cooker? The general guidelines for new speaker cabling are from between 2 days to 3 1/2 days. The Cooking time (for all types of cabling) is directly dependent upon the gauge of the conductors, and the amount of dielectric material. Incremental listening tests are advised to determine the "best" Cooking time for a particular cable, within the above guidelines. Cables that have been in a system for some time might only need 12 to 24 hours of conditioning, and this is recommended on a periodic basis, what we call a "recharge". Cooker owners are doing this to maintain optimal system performance. Will plugging (only) a pair of speaker cables versus speaker cables and interconnects result in different break in time for the speaker cables? Not at all. Interconnects (RCA, BNC, and XLR’s) are conditioned on a separate, lower-power circuit from the higher-power speaker cable circuit. Therefore, they are independently conditioned and break in times are not related, nor diminished due to conditioning them simultaneously. The signal generated by the Cooker is quite powerful, and multiple pairs of cables may be daisy-chained as well. Will cables revert back over time requiring a second burn in, or are the results permanent? Unless cabling is completely disconnected for a long period of time, we don't think they "completely" revert back to their original, raw state. However, in our experience, break-in is a long-term, but not permanent phenomenon. Cabling seems to benefit (as does one's system) with a periodic "recharge" of 12--24 hours, every few months. Many Cooker owners have been doing this every 3 or 4 months, and we recommend it as well. This makes the Cable Cooker a better long-term value. Using the Cooker is not a "one-shot" premise or exercise. Can Cooking cables with network boxes (such as MIT &
Transparent Audio) damage them in any way? What else can the Cable Cooker break-in other than cables? Some manufacturers are using the Cable Cooker to break-in transformers, capacitors, and bulk wire. A few customers have successfully conditioned Bybee filters, the Richard Gray Power Company Line Enhancer, and various parallel-design AC line conditioners, including the Audio Magic Stealth and Sound Application CF-X. AC duplex receptacles are easily conditioned as well. End users should first contact audio excellence az to inquire whether (or not) a particular piece of equipment is suitable for conditioning on the Cable Cooker. Please tell me the shipping weight and
dimensions of the Pro version Cable Cooker versus the standard Cable Cooker. NOTE: If there are any questions you wish to ask that were not presented on this page, please feel free to contact Alan at alan@audioexcellenceaz.com, or by phone at 602-277-0799.
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