What Would Be the Reasoning Behind Leaving Class D Amps On?
I think my Marantz Ruby integrated sounds better if it is just permanently left on. I'm a bit of a tubehead, but I've had 2 other Class D amps and I recall them sounding better left on.
I've seen a handful of manufacturers that even recommend their Class D amps be left on--e.g. PS Audio, etc.
In addition to the potential improvement in sound quality, I suppose keeping caps and things on might be easier on them too.
Do you agree? Do you know why this may be true or at least the theory behind it?
Thank you in advance! I'm super curious about this stuff.
@testpilot , HA! That made me smile. @oldhvymec, You too! I knew you had a valve thing going but not Class D too! We might be cut from the same cloth. I have this weird sense that what you are saying is what I'm experiencing. I know it's observational and prone to subjective interpretation but it feels like the amp is dry and lifeless if you just turn it on from a dead stop. |
OP: I've had exactly the same experience. I have IcePower amps and they sound really scratchy for about 48 hours then just open up. I only noticed this because I went away for a week and decided to unplug the stereo. When I came back I kept looking for an explanation and then magically the sound just really transformed on day three. Other A'goners have had very similar experiences. This may very well explain why some listen to Class D and decide it's not ready for prime time. On the other hand, my Luxman 507ux is good in 5 minutes. I have ZERO idea why. :-) |
@erik_squires , THANK YOU! E. I know you have some technical knowledge and background. How wonderful it is to hear someone like you say, Yep, this is my experience and I'm not sure exactly why. Certainly the notion of caps being charged up and everything staying warmed up makes sense. But many of us have found the Class D "warm up period" is not ideal unless it's really given some time--not just 30 mins. I want that Luxman, Erik. I'm lusting after their Class A stuff now. |
I have a pair of Wyred 4 Sound SX1000 (no R). Two day to sound good. A lot of people said the "R" model was a lot better. The fact of the matter was they have to be driven and on at least 48 hours. Mine actually "Boomed" and hated longer cables. I added some FAT speaker cables and a FAT power cable. It was like night and day between the first 2 hours vs a week later with cables. I actually kept the amps.. Powerful too, man alive!! Oh they like a good power supply to. I added Triplite 2400 to maintain 120vac, too that was an eyeopener when I drove 100-300hz bass columns to over 110 db, with no audible distortion.. Without they got hotter and did distort at 10 minutes or so. After the maintainers.. 15 degrees cooler with the same ambient temperature, sound wonderful. I moved to 12Ks they will pound the poop out of your ears. Best bang for the buck on the planet.. I have 4 LOL NU12000s. I can't break one! Where I live class A stopped when I hit 55. :-) 115 degrees is not uncommon where I live. Class Ds are king. Preamp are usually valves, here. I need a warehouse!!! "The Church of Sound" nonprofit. :-) |
