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Warm-up time for amps and preamps

How long does it take for your system to sound good from a cold start?
I try to keep my system on most of the time.  But occasionally I turn it off and it sounds like crap for a good half-hour to an hour.
i know there has been discussion here on the virtue of leaving tube preamps on all the time.
But my solid state amp (modified NuForce mono blocks) technician advises turning even them off occasionally.
128x128rvpiano
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,534 posts
 
SS gear sounds best when the unit is left on. This is the truth to my ears based on my experience with numerous amps over numerous years. Class D amps most especially. 
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,695 posts
 
Thank you, phusis!

soundsrealaudio's avatar
soundsrealaudio
756 posts
 
rvpiano 

Half hour sounds about right to me. 


ryder
1,699 posts
 
How long does it take for your system to sound good from a cold start?
I try to keep my system on most of the time. But occasionally I turn it off and it sounds like crap for a good half-hour to an hour.
i know there has been discussion here on the virtue of leaving tube preamps on all the time.
But my solid state amp (modified NuForce mono blocks) technician advises turning even them off occasionally.
Rvpiano,

I would say check with the equipment manufacturer/designer’s recommendation. If your ears tell you otherwise, then go with your ears. I leave my Naim equipment on 24/7 based on manufacturer’s recommendation. From my experience throughout the years, the Naim preamp takes 2 to 3 days to achieve optimal performance, the power amp takes several hours from cold. Most Naim users leave their equipment powered up 24/7.

As for my sources, I switch all of them off when I am done with the listening. The CD player has a standby switch and is warm to the touch when it’s on standby.
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 

"How can you prove that what you hear 45 minutes later from the same source and media sounds any different?"

I don't think an accurate comparison is possible without measurement equipment but the ears/brain can sometimes be a better judge of sound quality. In my system the sound is a bit thin and brittle for the first 20-30 minutes. The only tubes I have in the signal path are in the input stage of my hybrid amplifier.

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