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 1 response by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,249 posts
 
Your investment in your entire system is compromised, I can see why you would want to solve this.

I have been lucky over the years, much tube gear, Fisher Mono Blocks, Fisher 500C, Fisher 800C, Scott, Tandberg,  .... They all sounded great right away, no warm up.

I also had big McIntosh SS MC2250, it was good from turn on. Via it's SS C28 preamp, started good right away.

My current Tube Amp, Cayin A88T, supposedly designed to sound like a McIntosh MC275, definitely needs 20 minute idle warm up, every time. 
1st time experiencing this, took some getting used to, I turn it on, idle, do other stuff, come back and listen. It's integrated, so I use it without my tube preamp for Reel to Reel, ..., and use it's pre-in for Phono and FM via my tube preamp.

Needing long active warm up, leaving it on a long time, would be unacceptable to me, I would definitely sell that amp and get one that was ready to go after a short, 20 min idle warm up.


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