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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 4 responses by randy-11

randy-11
1,913 posts
 
"allowing the processed signal from you cartridge (or other source) to complete transmission thru your speakers, where the signal is processed thru the tube grids opposed to the tubes in an idle state, speaker motors in a working state warming up and working the surround material, interconnects transferring signals, etc."

- say whut?
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
Tube should be designed with an "idle circuit" - if not, I'd wonder about the designer.

While heat can be a killer of electronic components, the real killer is voltage spikes.  They can happen from turn on.

Electrolytics from about 20 years ago or so are well known for some longevity issues.  Dunno if they changed the paste or what -- or if so, when...
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
for the same reason that anyone here should have to exercise correct word choice - a question was asked and people are giving answers


as to how to test - you would want two copies of the same component - warm one up (w/o listening) for an hour or two and then A/B/X them
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
Right.  The only exception is tubes.  ARC keeps track of the time on their tubes and puts that info in the display.
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