My Zrock3 with level 2 mods, and tube regulation is on the bench now, and should be shipping soon. (perhaps next week)

Here is my question:

During initial burn in period which most likely will be in excess of two hundred hours (about 20 days + for me), is there a way to BYPASS the output where it does not affect the sound of my system during the burn in process?

My system is at a level right now where I just passed the burn in period for my new tube DAC, and it is now sounding absolutely superb to say the least. I do not want to endure another dull burn in period as I use my system now just to get a new piece of equipment up to full standard.


In other words, can I hook this unit up to be on when I listen, but set the output to zero and still get the benefit of normal burn in?

If not, then I will have to set up another system using a SS amp and a source to burn this unit in at another location in the house. I will just leave the system in constant loop on low level for a few weeks until it is ready to be placed into my audio room in "ready" status.  That would certainly expedite the burn in process.


I read another owner's comments stating that this unit sounded so horrible during the burn in process that he almost sold it with only 50 hours on it.  Then around the 200 hour mark, the unit bloomed as if it was a butterfly undergoing metamorphosis from the cocoon stage. Now it was as if a magic wand was waved and the unit came alive.

That sounds great, and I will wait patiently for that to happen.  But in the meantime, I don't want this to ruin the perfect level of sound quality that I currently enjoy using premium quality recordings.

Perhaps Steve would be best to answer this one, but any response is welcome if it actually comes from experience using the ZROCK3.


I shall be experiencing this unit very soon. Just not in a bad way.





Thank you.

You could try using a Y-splitter to split the output from the ZROCK3 to a secondary amp (or dummy load) while keeping the main system muted. This would still allow burn-in without affecting the current sound quality. block blast

The ZROCK3 is in the "BURN-IN" stage now since getting it in the signal path on Thursday afternoon.


I finished building my switch-box design which places the option of true bypass back into the loop for when the ZROCK3 is not wanted in the signal path. This was originally available in the early models, but not in the new version. I MUST have the option to switch it in and out on the fly!  This was the perfect solution.

The signal is pure and clean, zero noise, zero ground loops! This switch-box is built with premium audiophile parts and wiring. The RCA jacks are high grade from Manley Labs, the switch is a high grade silver contact DPDT "ON-ON" toggle switch with down being the bypass mode, the up position being full engagement of the ZROCK3 into the signal path. All internal wiring is with high grade solid core silver plated copper with thin Teflon jacket. The ground bus is a continuous length of copper wire soldered at each point in the signal chain inside the box.

I had to construct an additional two sets of high quality interconnects using professional grade microphone cable and Nuetrik RCA connectors. Not cheap at $88.00 for eight RCA plugs, but absolutely worth every penny! I would not use anything else, PERIOD! I still have to construct another two sets of these interconnects to place my C9 back into the loop. By adding this switch box, it certainly increased the need for additional cables. I will be ordering Mogami microphone cable for the new sets.

With my switch-box design in place, the ZROCK3 will always be fed a signal to keep it in "BURN-IN" mode even when it is bypassed. Until I am ready to use it, or when I actually NEED it in the signal path, just a flick of the switch and it is fully engaged.

This set-up allows for instant easy A/B comparison at any time. This is very beneficial for music evaluations to compare before and after effect.

Anyway, it works perfectly with zero coloration, zero degradation of the signal, and ZERO noise! You can't tell the difference in sound quality with the switch-box in the loop or out of the loop. There is absolutely zero detectable audio degradation what-so-ever. It is so quiet that I wasn't sure it was working properly when I first directed signals through it.

That first time that I heard the effects of the ZROCK3 once engaged left no doubt as to its influence upon the signal path once I flicked the switch upward. I was actually horrified to say the least at what I was hearing! I checked the operation of the controls to see what they do. It was quite obvious what this ZROCK3 does from counter-clockwise, to the clockwise position once you get past the 12:00 o'clock position past unity gain.  Look, don't get scared just yet. You must realize that new audio components require extensive burn-in before they settle in and start representing their intended parameters. I will assume that the Cornell-Dublier film&foil capacitors are the major reason for the extremely odd sound during the initial break-in period.

My unit has ALL options built in including FULL anniversary mods PLUS tube regulation for maximum sound quality. This extra circuitry creates an additional set of parameters which add to the burn-in complexity. This is no different than what is expected of a new tube amplifier.

I expected the sound to be quirky at the very least, and certainly nowhere near what it will perform like after at least 200 to 300 hours of playing time. I know this from a great deal of past experience. The higher grade of the component, the more this becomes an audible factor. This unit follows the path from a very high grade tube DAC, on directly to the ToriiMK3 amplifier. Any changes within this path are completely revealed, with extreme clarity.

Initially, I was horrified by what sounded like my speakers sinking into the mud, gasping for air. I have never heard anything sound as bad as what this completely "green" unit sounds like when it is a virgin unit with zero time on it. This is exactly why I need the bypass option. I am leaving just the DAC feeding the signal into the ZROCK3 ON at all times around the clock now to accelerate the burn in process. The CD transport is in constant loop cycle. Of course the switch is engaged during this time, but the amplifier is turned off.  When I listen to music, I simply flip the switch to bypass and I am not affected by the ZROCK3 at all. My switch-box is in true bypass mode. The great thing about this is that the signal is always passing through the ZROCK3 even when bypassed, so the break-in period is never interrupted. I expect to have this unit fully seasoned and ready for serious evaluation by the end of this month.

I will be showing the results of ongoing music evaluations using the ZROCK3 in my thread over in the Acoustics section. That should begin next month as I get time to do so. I will be comparing the sound in A/B mode, as well as differences between standard early first pressings of a studio release, versus a newer remastered version when processed through the ZROCK 3 circuit.

BTW:  I expect a major turn around in how the ZROCK3 affects my system and the music in the near future. My initial shock is expected to transform into something absolutely beautiful and fully warranted in the end.  Why am I so sure of this, because I have vast experience with Decware products and high end audio gear in general. This experience is a tried and true set of events which are absolutely real and fully expected.

To reinforce this turn of events, I already have noticed a major improvement to what this unit does for the music which took me by surprise this evening. I did a quick check to see how things were going after roughly 50 hours are now on the unit. This is really the beginning point where change should begin to happen. Let's just say that I am no longer horrified by what I hear. Something really great evolved during the past 50 or so hours this unit has been engaged.

I was not expecting to listen to this unit until the 200 hour point. After what I heard initially, I was actually thinking there is no hope for this thing to ever remain in my system.  Tonight, as I went to flick the switch to bypass so I could listen without it, I got curious and left it engaged, began turning the dial past the unity gain mark, and into the "magic" territory. I attempted this when I first put it in the system. That is when it sounded like my speakers sank into the mud.

Imagine this, it was as if God placed his hand on the unit and rectified the situation. I was quite pleased to hear for the first time where the sound of this unit is taking my music. By no regard is it anywhere close to where it needs to be at this stage, but it at least sounds decent enough to give a listen and give it a fair evaluation.  Now, when I advance past unity gain (EQ switch to the down position), There is a tremendous degree of body and depth within the mid-range and low end. I will tell you that it gets deep with a high magnitude of engagement. The music takes on a new life and becomes fuller, richer, with strong bass that holds it's form in a natural way.  

I can see that I can expect some great things coming from this new ZROCK3. I look forward to hearing it's true potential when it has fully graduated into a well seasoned unit.  Let's just say that I no longer doubt the outcome.

Sorry, I am no longer considering selling this unit as I thought I might. I can see great potential nurturing it's way into reality for which my music experience surely will benefit from.  I do not need this enhancement for most of my audiophile recordings. But for the older first pressings dated back into the eighties, those titles most assuredly need all the help they can get!  Help has arrived.

For now, I will leave you with some images off my custom switch-box that I designed and fabricated. I absolutely love it.

I am showing you the diagram for building your own if you need to build one yourself. Please use high end audio grade components, and high quality interconnects. Otherwise, the results may not be so favorable for you. You will thank me later.






































And now a new journey begins..................................