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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.
rvpiano

Showing 2 responses by kalali

kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
The only virtue in leaving tube equipment on all the time is you'll need more frequent tube replacements. Complete waste of money and energy.
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 

"How can you prove that what you hear 45 minutes later from the same source and media sounds any different?"

I don't think an accurate comparison is possible without measurement equipment but the ears/brain can sometimes be a better judge of sound quality. In my system the sound is a bit thin and brittle for the first 20-30 minutes. The only tubes I have in the signal path are in the input stage of my hybrid amplifier.

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