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New to preamp amp, turning on question

Hi All,

I am a noob when it comes to preamp and amp combo, I have never used it until recently I found a who was selling Parasound HCA2205a for $50. The amp works and looks new ,so I think I got a pretty good deal. However, it’s my first time using preamp and amp combo so I am a bit confused on how to use it. 
I don’t have a standalone preamp, so I am using integrated amp as a preamp(tested it on Hegel and anthem STR, both is giving me same issue so I think the amp has some problem). I know it works but when I turn on the preamp, and then the amp, sometimes it takes a good 1-2 mins (when the amp hasn’t been on for few hours) for the sound to come from the speaker. It seems like the signal is not going to the amp right away. Is that normal or is this amp is faulty or something? 
If I turn off the amp while it is working and wait few mins and turn it back on, the sound comes instantaneously. It’s only that if the entire system is off (for few hours) and I just turn it on, the sound doesn’t come for 1-3 mins until I hear a click sound from the amp? 
Appreciate any help on this. Thanks.   
morningrebel

Showing 1 response by millercarbon

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
If I turn off the amp while it is working and wait few mins and turn it back on, the sound comes instantaneously. It’s only that if the entire system is off (for few hours) and I just turn it on, the sound doesn’t come for 1-3 mins until I hear a click sound from the amp?

The click is a relay. The amp is waiting until the power supply is fully charged and stable. Maybe a few other things too. Different amps have different circuits for this. My Herron phono stage takes a good 1 to 3 minutes same as this. My tube integrated has no relay but when first turned on after a long time takes a good 30 seconds to a minute during which if you're playing music it sounds like someone started with the volume control at zero, waited, and then started turning it up. Takes about a minute getting to full volume. So what you have sounds perfectly normal to me.
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