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Warm-up time for amps and preamps

How long does it take for your system to sound good from a cold start?
I try to keep my system on most of the time.  But occasionally I turn it off and it sounds like crap for a good half-hour to an hour.
i know there has been discussion here on the virtue of leaving tube preamps on all the time.
But my solid state amp (modified NuForce mono blocks) technician advises turning even them off occasionally.
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Showing 5 responses by grannyring

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,438 posts
 
I keep on SS gear all the time for best sound. This is especially true for digital front ends and class D amps. 
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,438 posts
 
Atmasphere,  thank you for your post. That is how I understood it also. Heat is the enemy really. 
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,438 posts
 
Leave it on for extended life in many instances. My Class D amp runs very cool so heat is not an issue. Small preamp signal tubes last longer on as studies and real life experience show. Turning the tubes on and off often reduces tube life faster than just leaving them on. As always it depends on the design with no blanket statements applying to all gear. 
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,438 posts
 
SS gear sounds best when the unit is left on. This is the truth to my ears based on my experience with numerous amps over numerous years. Class D amps most especially. 
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,438 posts
 
Small preamp tubes last longer if kept on as the turn on surge etc... shortens their life. Depends on build design, but I have owned tube preamps where the designer told me to keep the unit on unless traveling for best sound and tube life. The amp never got hot and the parts and tubes were cozy warm for long life and wonderful sonics. 
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