Amplifier warm up

I have a new warm-up ritual now thanks to this thread. Before this I would turn on the amp, motor controller, and phono stage, all at least a half an hour before listening. Now I also let the motor/platter run almost as long. 

This has really made a difference in the quality of those first few minutes. There's still improvement across the first side, but its starting from a much higher level. 

Okay, don't want to exaggerate this too much. Its not like this is something everyone will even be able to notice. Obviously if we learn anything from threads like this its that there's all different levels of listeners. Some never will hear any difference. But for those who do, this is definitely worth doing.

Yup. Not surprised. Not the least bit.

This all seemed preposterous when I first heard about it back in the 90's. But, as usual, if it can be tested super easy then why waste time arguing?
Find out for yoursel! So I left my 1970's era Kenwood amp on 24/7. Days then weeks went by with no perceptible change in sound. Like I thought, BS. Oh well. Been on a week, might as well just leave it on.
Until one day for some reason it gets turned off. Oh well who cares it doesn't make any difference anyway. Next day turn it on to listen and what the... sounds like crap!  

This was my first time learning that sometimes when differences are small and you're not used to hearing them, can't recognize them, it helps to listen long enough to get accustomed to the new sound. Because then when it changes you will notice. Looking back its clear the amp was improving the whole time it was on, just at a very slow gradual rate that made it hard to notice until quite some time had gone by.

Its like this with a lot of things. AC power improves very gradually through the evening and late into the night. Even when things are left on still the whole system gradually improves when playing music. Differences that are hard to hear when you're unfamiliar and listening to 30 year old Kenwood and JBL are indescribably wonderful late at night with a really good system.

Anyone serious about building a really good system, you could do worse than to learn to hear these little changes.

Yes, that's exactly what happened. These are solid state components. SS takes much longer than tubes to warm up and sound their best. In fact they really should be left on 24/7 if you want them to sound their best. But hey, don't take my word for it. Simply leave them on the next few days and see, er hear, for yourself.