How long it take before your system/amps sound

All the nine pin tubes in the amp and preamp are on 24/7 in heater mode. It takes one hour to get everything warmed up and to start sounding OK and three hours to become very smooth and at it's best. Even though I use the CDP very rarely I leave it on 24/7 for best results.

I think this varies too much to reach generalities. I generally leave all solid state stuff on 24/7. Given the cost of tubes and my uncertainty whether turning them on and off harms them more than being left on, I generally leave all but amps on 24/7. In Texas leaving big tube amps on is cost electric heating and cooling to undo it.

Interesting...such varying responses. I would not leave my amps and DAC on 24/7 because it sucks up a lot of electricity and shorten tube life. But it's a shame I have to wait so long to have my system sound so effortless, open, and natural. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't heard it.

Tube equipment worms up substantially faster than solid state so it's not a reason of longetivity.
The solid states may require upto hours of worm-up and playing. After 12 hours you simply get used to it vs. actual worm-up results.

24/7 is best sound,but personally I feel guilty using any more power that absolutely necessary for eco reasons.
Not to mention that power companies are evil.