2. amps-preamps
  3. 151678-83203

Warm up time for amps

My amps ( I have many but as an example in this case Bryston 7b3's) seem to take a good 45 minutes to reach best sound. My question is ... how do I warm them up quicker? Is playing them on a revolving loop or shuttle BEFORE my listening starts the only option? If that is the case does playing at low volume achieve the same results, and/or does playing louder speed things up, and if so presumably the louder, the quicker in proportions?
And in that box, is the ambient temperature (eg summer or winter) a factor? To me, it should make no difference with all that stuff going on inside a confined space,  but someone will tell me otherwise? I could rig up small fan heaters to blow for ten minutes? If it cuts down warm up time by half for example it may not be such a  stupid or strange idea as I think it might be, as it would increase the proportion of "enjoyable" listening time substantially.
I could even be super smart by putting timers on the fans (which in case anyone points out a supply contamination issue ... could be on a different circuit entirely
The amps are rarely switched off.
This issue does frustrate. All that expensive kit not performing at best for a period ....
tatyana69
f917025
81 posts
 
change the amp it's too harsh unless it's really hot than it's smoother.
24/7 should be good enough to sound good from the first minute but after an hour all amps will sound better.try to choose one that sounds good enough once it's on .the rest is a bonus(it's like a mini break in every time it operates).
or you can swap the speakers or the source to something less intense or warmer and keep the amp. try to first spot your problem tone wise than figure a way to deal with it by changing something to the opposite direction. brystons can be bright.adding a tube buffer can help.
elliottbnewcombjr
5,655 posts
 
Your investment in your entire system is compromised, I can see why you would want to solve this.

I have been lucky over the years, much tube gear, Fisher Mono Blocks, Fisher 500C, Fisher 800C, Scott, Tandberg,  .... They all sounded great right away, no warm up.

I also had big McIntosh SS MC2250, it was good from turn on. Via it's SS C28 preamp, started good right away.

My current Tube Amp, Cayin A88T, supposedly designed to sound like a McIntosh MC275, definitely needs 20 minute idle warm up, every time. 
1st time experiencing this, took some getting used to, I turn it on, idle, do other stuff, come back and listen. It's integrated, so I use it without my tube preamp for Reel to Reel, ..., and use it's pre-in for Phono and FM via my tube preamp.

Needing long active warm up, leaving it on a long time, would be unacceptable to me, I would definitely sell that amp and get one that was ready to go after a short, 20 min idle warm up.


ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
I never listen to my amp. Just my system. Speakers warm up from the power going through them. This changes the XO frequency and driver response.

See http://ielogical.com/Audio/WinterBlues.php#TheFly

It's never just the amp!!
barts's avatar
barts
731 posts
 
If you really believe its a heat issue go out and buy an indoor/outdoor
thermometer with the little wire outdoor probe.  Rest that probe on the ventilation holes with the amps at idle for 24 hours.  Take reading.
Put on some music that you are sure you can hear the difference after
the amps have warmed up, when they become "right" take a reading.

After your listening session let the amps cool back to idle, take reading.
Now block the ventilation holes with a suitable small throw pillow or
whatever.  Monitor the heat build up and see if it approaches the "right"
temperature. Note time to proper temperature. Remove pillow.  Listen again and see if that cured the warm up issue or the warm up time is less.

As Hunter Thompson said "I don't recommend blocking vent holes, but
its always worked for me."  Use caution.

I did this years ago with a Hafler amp, used a pizza box cut and taped together to form a cover for the whole amp.  YMMV.
BTW, this is a fun and cheap experiment, way cheaper than switching a bunch of components.

Let me know how it works out.


mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Buy an amp you don't have to warm up.
More to discover