2. amps-preamps
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Solid state warm up?

I recently Put in a BAT vk-250SE with bat pack into my system to power Dynaudio Contour S 3.4 speakers. I was using a B&K reference amp with pretty good results, but I wanted more detail and subtlety. I got both, but I also got a darker, almost mushy sound. Some material is worse than others. I have pulled the speakers a few more inches from the back wall which helped a bit. The sound may actually get better the longer the amP is on...hours. Could the amp just need to warm-up and maybe be left on 24/7? It does get quite warm. I use the 12v trigger to put it in standby. Any ideas?
phoenix469
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
It's not the best model of VK and more than certainly it can't do 300/4Ohms(sorry only on 'holidays':-)). It does better job with lighter speakers than you have. So I suspect mismatch of components.
An upgrade to your B&K might be Wyred4Sound SX1000 monos
I was lucky to get Crown 3600 powerhouse(1200W/4Ohms) for low hundreds from thrift store and this piece pleasantly surprised me with stunning and solid performance/Aerial 10t! Fan is literally unaudible, undisputed crispy detail on any volume level. If you find it for cheap I'd recommend you to play with it...
soix
10,186 posts
 
I assume this is a used amp and therefore already broken in. I leave my McCormack amp on 24/7 (partly for sound quality but also because I don't like turning electronics on/off frequently), but on those occasions when I turn it off and it gets cold it seems to take a couple hours playing music before it comes back to life. Before that it sounds slow and mushy -- kinda like you describe, and although all amps are different I'd be surprised if the sound of the amp changes substantially after that warmup. Anyway, just thought I'd relay my experience.
dbphd
1,633 posts
 
Phoenix,

If you leave the amp in standby mode, I'd think that obviates the need for warmup. I suspect the "mushy" sound lies elsewhere. The increased detail and subtlety you say you got seem at odds with mushy.

db
phoenix469 OP
44 posts
 
Quiet passages have much more low level detail with the BAT. There is more texture overall. When the music gets complex and louder it gets the mushy sound.
jwong
56 posts
 
I give my solid state CD player about an hour of "warm up" before I listen critically. Put on a disc, hit "repeat" and come back after an hour or so for serious listening. I turn on my tube amps and preamp for at least 60-90 minutes before I bias and start listening. Overall, everything needs to be running for at least an hour or two before the equipment "settles in". Amazingly, even the quality of my electricity will vary and effect the sound. I bet a lot of us here notice for some inexplicable reason, some days of listening are better than others. I attribute it to the oddities of supplied electricty. However, I noticed I have consistently more satisfying listening sessions since I put in a PS Audio Power Regenerator. Long and short, warm up the gear before you get too critical.
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