PIO Break In Strategies

I just replaced the MPK output coupling caps of my Sound Valves VTP-101 preamp with PIO Sprague Vitamin Q's. First impressions were not stellar as expected but did begin to show slight improvement after 30 minutes. I realize there is a long break in period of anywhere from 30 to 300 hours and wonder if there is a better way.
Do I leave the preamp on for 2 weeks?
Do I leave the preamp on with a source playing (FM)?
Do I leave the preamp on with a source playing and the amp on? Amp on Softly?
Or do I just go about business as usual and wait a few months?
I plan on using the Vitamin Q's in my ST-70 Project as well.
Thanks guys. Rich

Or do I just go about business as usual and wait a few months?

Yes!! Why put hours on your tubes unnecessarily, drive up your electric bill, and heat up your room (unless it's winter!)? Just play some music and enjoy the process. It's not like it's going to be unbearable to listen to until they're broken in, they just may not be at the absolute best for a while.

BTW, I agree with Bob Latino - I find Vit-Qs to be a bit soft. I much prefer the K40s, I even use them in one position in my Citation II amp kits.

I've also heard raves about the Russian K40-y's and even more about the FT-3's. Unfortunately for my preamp (which has the Real Estate to try something big), I've never seen either in the value I need (2.2uf). That's why I went for a more conventional PIO, and Vitamin Q's seemed as good as any of the others I've read about. They were also a reasonably priced way for me to try PIO caps.
Do you think there is any value in me bypassing my 2.0 uf Vitamin Q's with a 0.1uf or 0.001uf FT-3 or K40-Y? I tried bypassing the original 2.2uf MPK's with 0.1uf Vit Q's before and really didn't notice any difference at all. Nothing jumped out at me as though my windows just got cleaned, and when I removed them or went back and forth (they were on alligator clips)I really couldn't tell you one from the other.
Now the ST-70 is a different story as I haven't constructed it yet. Do you have K40-Y's available in the 2 values I need (0.22uf and 0.1uf) and if so, how much are they? Rich

Jensen makes some PIO caps in 2.2uF, check them out at PartsConnexion http://www.partsconnexion.com/capacitor_film_jensen_aluminum.html
the aluminum ones are the cheapest at about $43 each. Copper foil starts around $95 each.
Mundorf silver-oil caps are really nice starting around $65 each in your value.
I haven't heard Obbligato Film Oil Capacitors but they are very inexpensive around $5.50 each.
You can find hundreds of various PIOs on ebay listing, just search for PIO capacitor.

You can get Russian 2.2uf K75-10 in 250V or 500V versions - both are available on ePay right now. I've read several instances of people liking the K75-10 better than the K40Y-9. I have four, but haven't tried them yet.

I see Bob mentions ~100 hour break-in -- I have some K40Y-9s in both my amps and just tried some in an Aikido PAS3 amp board. The sound is *very* dark, veiled and sounds like 500Hz to 2000 is totally reduced. I let them run for 48 hours, but no change. Is this normal and should I just wait more time -- it's really not he best thing to listen to and I've confirmed it is definitely these caps.

BTW, the Aikido board in the PAS is amazing!

Bob: Thanks, that makes sense, something I didn't know before. The Audyn caps that came with the Aikido board were so amazing, I figured I'd try a couple others to see if they would change something in a good way. Going back to the Audyn here shortly -- I'm sure someone (you'all) have already tested this and found the Audyn are best. Needless to say, the Aikido upgrade is so mind-blowing, I'll be ordering more kits, etc. here shortly.

I just bypassed the Balance/Blend knobs (highly recommended), and that sounds even better, so I figure I need a good quality Volume pot now.