2. amps-preamps
  3. 151678-83203

Warm up time for amps

My amps ( I have many but as an example in this case Bryston 7b3's) seem to take a good 45 minutes to reach best sound. My question is ... how do I warm them up quicker? Is playing them on a revolving loop or shuttle BEFORE my listening starts the only option? If that is the case does playing at low volume achieve the same results, and/or does playing louder speed things up, and if so presumably the louder, the quicker in proportions?
And in that box, is the ambient temperature (eg summer or winter) a factor? To me, it should make no difference with all that stuff going on inside a confined space,  but someone will tell me otherwise? I could rig up small fan heaters to blow for ten minutes? If it cuts down warm up time by half for example it may not be such a  stupid or strange idea as I think it might be, as it would increase the proportion of "enjoyable" listening time substantially.
I could even be super smart by putting timers on the fans (which in case anyone points out a supply contamination issue ... could be on a different circuit entirely
The amps are rarely switched off.
This issue does frustrate. All that expensive kit not performing at best for a period ....
tatyana69

Showing 2 responses by barts

barts's avatar
barts
688 posts
 
If you really believe its a heat issue go out and buy an indoor/outdoor
thermometer with the little wire outdoor probe.  Rest that probe on the ventilation holes with the amps at idle for 24 hours.  Take reading.
Put on some music that you are sure you can hear the difference after
the amps have warmed up, when they become "right" take a reading.

After your listening session let the amps cool back to idle, take reading.
Now block the ventilation holes with a suitable small throw pillow or
whatever.  Monitor the heat build up and see if it approaches the "right"
temperature. Note time to proper temperature. Remove pillow.  Listen again and see if that cured the warm up issue or the warm up time is less.

As Hunter Thompson said "I don't recommend blocking vent holes, but
its always worked for me."  Use caution.

I did this years ago with a Hafler amp, used a pizza box cut and taped together to form a cover for the whole amp.  YMMV.
BTW, this is a fun and cheap experiment, way cheaper than switching a bunch of components.

Let me know how it works out.


barts's avatar
barts
688 posts
 
@noromance 
I totally agree. I'm simply saying that if you start at a higher temp, the amp will reach thermal stasis quicker, which was the question posed by the OP.

@b_limo 
Agree also, starting an ice-cold engine is the worst thing you can do to it.
But, it's hard to ignore that on a hot summer day the internal components
reach there proper thermal properties (read: tolerances) quicker.

BTW, ARC breaks in all of their equipment.  And back in the day they used a "hot room" to do it, can't speak to if they take the same approach today. 

I simply know my ARC amps (all four of them) like to be turned on for at least 30 minutes and then play moderately (softly) for another thirty and  then it's off to the races as far as I'm concerned. 
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