MSNBC: The Playstation, the first one, is an amazing-sounding hi-fi component

[Farid]

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It turns out your video game console may be worth a lot more than you think. You might actually own one of the best sounding, high-fidelity CD players out there.

Audiophiles have been abuzz about PlayStation 1 audio for some time now. There has been a lot of experimenting with these game consoles with some very interesting results.
Before I started my listening tests, Michael had a warning for me: "Plug in the units — turn ‘em on — and don’t turn them off." It seems the PlayStations sound best when left on all the time. Michael was right. You shouldn’t even listen for the first three days. Both units need every second of the break-in period.

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Overall, both of these PlayStation game consoles make really terrific CD component decks. Compared to a Pioneer DVD/CD/SACD player, the Sonys sounded clearer and cleaner. They also held their own against my top-of-the-line, Class A+ rated Sony SACD machine.

Okay, is that "you need to give the Playstation three days off to make it sound better" thing just happening in these people's heads or is there any possible truth to it?
I mean, we're talking about an electronic unit here, not an analog device of some sort.

 

[Zaphod]

Call me a sceptic, but nine times out of ten when "audiophiles are abuzz" about something it's pure placebo. That's not to say a PS1 can't (subjectively) sound good as a CD-player, though.

 

[Paul_G]

I remember reading an article about 10 years ago regarding the audio quality of both the Playstation and the Saturn in a hi-fi magazine, and the conclusion they came to was that while the Playstation was better than the Saturn, it was a far cry from any reasonable dedicated player of the time.

Granted they likely didn't leave the console on for 3 days (why would they?) and they may have used the model without RCA jacks, and maybe it does have an effect, but i still can't imagine that something like that can really make that much difference.

 

[fearsomepirate]

Three words that send every audiophile running screaming from the room:

Double-blind study.

I'll see your 3-day break-in period and raise you one Marigo Labs Signatured 3-D Mat.

 

[Rolf N]

Okay, is that "you need to give the Playstation three days off to make it sound better" thing just happening in these people's heads <...>

Yes.
The hallmark of a true hi-fi enthusiast is that he/she deliberately allows a lot of empty space to be in his/her head. For that certain resonance.

 

[one]

Don't you know a premium HDMI cable gives you a premium experience over a cheapo $20 HDMI cable?

 

[Ons::lob::]

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Okay, is that "you need to give the Playstation three days off to make it sound better" thing just happening in these people's heads or is there any possible truth to it?
I mean, we're talking about an electronic unit here, not an analog device of some sort.

It's kind of like headphones. When you first get them, they won't sound as good as they should until they've passed their "burn in" period.

 

[stevem]

Now don't get too carried away with self gnosis fellas... There's some method to the madness. Depending on filtering caps employed, a couple of days break-in may improve ESR. This may result in less sibilant top end. The idea of letting a device reach a warm operating temp is a remnant of vacuum tube days. As for PS1 being a better CD player, it'll depend on what it's compared with.

It's kind of like headphones. When you first get them, they won't sound as good as they should until they've passed their "burn in" period.

Headphones are typically electrodynamic transducers with a flexible surround & spider. Both will become more flexible resulting in freer movement after some time of initial use.

Don't you know a premium HDMI cable gives you a premium experience over a cheapo $20 HDMI cable?

If it's a well constructed "cheapo cable" with decent shielding, connectors, & cable stress relief, then I'd agree. I'd never pay for a Monster...