How long it take before your system/amps sound


...the best. My system sounds the best after 12 hours of playing. I didn't realize this until I inadvertently left my system on overnight. I was surprised how much better it sounded compared having the system on for an hour or two. I have tube DAC and amps, which probably are the reason for long warm up. His really surprised me.
dracule1
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.
Dracule1,
I don't believe a tube DAC is going to suck up a lot of electricity, and as Tbg pointed out, turning the tubes off and on may actually shorten tube life. Tube power amps are a totally different matter.