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
barts's avatar
barts
688 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
8,253 posts
 
Buy an amp you don't have to warm up.
tatyana69 OP
269 posts
 
mijostyn
Usual inane response from you
Please don't bother making silly contributions .. as is the norm with you
All of your posts are pointless, irrelevant or ignorant
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,576 posts
 
While heat can be indicative of how warmed up an amplifier is, the corollary is not necessarily true.
I would imagine it is more to do with capacitors stabilizing and tubes and semiconductors reaching their operationally optimum parameters. Therefore, applying heat is most likely not conducive to expediting peak operational conditions.
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,273 posts
 
Interesting topic and relevant for me.  I’ve been thinking about this lately as well.

I leave my solid state amp on 24/7 (and always have)but I feel like there is still a noticeable improvement after about an hour of music being played through it.

I also feel like moderate to high volume speeds up the process a bit.  I’ll start playing music about 30-60 minutes before I sit down and critically listen.

I used to believe that it was only the amp that needed to be warmed up but now I’m wondering if its the speakers, cables etc all “warming up” as well.

I recall a friend who had a thumping car system and he would wait 30 minutes or so before really cranking up the volume.  I take the same precautions with my home speakers.  I wouldn’t get in my car and redline it as I’m pulling out of my neighborhood.  I think it’s a good idea to ease into putting large strain on mechanical components until they are at optimal temperature!
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