It seems like most if not all recently designed equipment have a main power switch on the back with a power switch on the front that puts the unit in stand-by mode. I’m not a double E but have to believe there is a good reason for this. I have a class D and it doesn’t have an on/off switch on the front so I leave on most of the time. I do tend to turn everything off when leaving for a week or two. I’ve not noticed a significant change in sound quality either way. I just trust the designers.
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.
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Some aren't left in standby that's why. I have Nord Buffers on NC500 modules it's one or the other. I set mine to stay on and NOT go into standby. I run them for 4 months out of the year, and combo of class ds and valves the rest of the time. It takes 20-30 minutes of playing music even when I leave them on. If they go into standby, 2 hours to warm up and sound ok. Big difference in mine anyways. I also use class Ds for bass management 12K for subs and columns. 30 minutes to work well and warm up the VC in the bass system. 20 drivers for that alone. Cold gear sounds wonky, so does overheated voice coils. :-) Regards |
@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. :-) |
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