Do You Have to Play a Component to Warm it Up?

Really, @erik_squires? My Lamm SETs like to play 45 minutes or so before they come on song. Ditto, my other tube components. My phono cartridge opens up after 3 sides. My vintage system, which is less "critical" seems to like about 20 minutes and you can hear it open up- old Quads, Quad II amps with GEC KT 66s, vintage McI tube pre-tuner.

Typically you do no have to have music playing through it. An exception is the Audio Research Reference 5(SE) preamp. The Reference 6(SE) does not. Beats me why the Ref 5 was like that.

With digital unless it is tubes I leave on 24/7 for it keeps the circuit optimum sounding and doesnot harm the circuit one bit for it is a low voltage item .

Electronics absolutely. My class A amps need a day at full power, preferably 4. Ditto my phono/pre. Brystons a few hours of idle. Cartridge and speakers 20 minutes of use..

Let your ears tell you. I let my system play for about an hour at low levels before doing any serious listening.