Tube Preamps Should Have This Feature
So it's late or you just want some casual listening for a short time. "Should I fire up my tube pre for 30 minutes?". My answer is "No". Why not let me flip a switch (or push in the volume control) to put my pre into "bypass" mode? Bypass would, effectively, convert your pre into a passive device, keeping the tubes dark.
This sounds useful to me.
"casual listening for a short time" Your system is going to sound darn good 2 minutes after you turn it on. Try it. Play something favorite, involving I bet. Wait 30 minutes, play again. How much ’More’ involving? The practice of waiting 20, 30 minutes, (I do it) we convince ourselves, for me it’s why not, but I go cold often enough? Someone coming over, oh helllll yes, warm it up!!!!!!!!!!! |
zloneYesterday, I listened to some favorite music at a friends warmed up tube system with his new to him tube preamp. Sounded great, different and we both think better than before, AND he got remote volume and remote balance, Oh Happy Day. That will make anything sound better! Came home, warmed my system up, did a few things, listened to same music on my warmed up system. Heard great music and the differences of our systems. Tomorrow, friend coming, I’m gonna wait till he’s settled, turn the system on, wait 2-3 minutes, play the same music (he is also familiar with that music played on my warmed up system), it should be interesting. the point is, OP said ’casual listening for short time". It’s the content! A special feature ... no way. |
rcm1203 Most short delays at startup are built-in safety checks, my McIntosh SS Amp, mc2250 had a test sequence; My Cayin Tube Integrated AT88is like yours, nothing possible for 30 second check; and my Little Luxman Tube Integrated has a 30 sec test. Do they advise waiting 10, 20, 30 minutes for warmup in their manual: NO. Do we go with the well touted warmup concept, YES Use your ears, it would be nuts to deny yourself some casual short time listening to some enjoyable content for lack of warmup. ............... My friend had car trouble, he will come next week. |
I often advise getting your own tube tester. All my tubes, preamp; rectifier; power: take less than 30 seconds to warm up to measure their strength. Wait another 30, another minute, no change, i.e. they are ready to go pretty darn quick. Perhaps as others have said, it is other internal parts that benefit from longer warmup. In any case, for a quickie 20 minute listen, turn it on, play the chosen content, MOST tube amps will sound darn good. it's the chosen content that will take you there. |
