What Would Be the Reasoning Behind Leaving Class D Amps On?

So yes, and I've researched the threads. But I haven't heard the basis for why Class D might sound better.  I get little to no heat, they aren't tubes, etc.  

What's the science behind why they sound better.  Just curious.  

@testpilot , HA!  That made me smile. 

@oldhvymec, You too!  I knew you had a valve thing going but not Class D too!  We might be cut from the same cloth.  I have this weird sense that what you are saying is what I'm experiencing.  I know it's observational and prone to subjective interpretation but it feels like the amp is dry and lifeless if you just turn it on from a dead stop. 

@erik_squires ,  THANK YOU! E.   I know you have some technical knowledge and background.  How wonderful it is to hear someone like you say, Yep, this is my experience and I'm not sure exactly why.  

Certainly the notion of caps being charged up and everything staying warmed up makes sense. But many of us have found the Class D "warm up period" is not ideal unless it's really given some time--not just 30 mins. 

I want that Luxman, Erik.  I'm lusting after their Class A stuff now. 

 

it’s been said multiple times on the forums that it’s best to leave solid state / class d amps on all the time as it sounds better. turn off / unplug solid state equipment if going out of town or bad weather is coming.

tube equipment gets turned off when not being used.

Yes, Riley this has been said many times. Also, I think we all know the general idea that some stuff likes to be warmed up before use. I was, however, looking for more of an explanation as to what is going on in a Class D amp, if anything, that increases the need for more idle time.

For example, I think lots of us will agree that a tube amp warms up enough after say some range--30 minutes to 2 hours--at which point it’s warm and sound performance doesn’t improve anymore. But, with Class D, it seems to many of us that 30 mins to 2 hours might not even do it. So the question is why?

Many folks seem to believe (and I think that includes me) that Class D may need more warm up than say a Class A/B amp. Why would that be? That’s what I’m asking.

I wasn’t looking for the garden variety basis--hey warm up your car, snowblower, etc. and it works better. I wanted to know what is it, if anything about Class D, that seems to give better performance if the unit is nearly always on or on for hours upon hours.

Is there something specific in the topology of this type of amp that lends itself to far more warmup time or always on status?  It's a fascinating technology and I was looking to learn more about that. 

Thank you @oldhvymec .  I have a nice tube preamp here that I may drive the Marantz ruby with just to see how valves fronting Class D sounds.  I did that once before with an NAD M22--I put a Schitt Freya in front of it and it sounded great that way, yet sterile on its own.  The Ruby was voiced by Ken Ishiwata and he really dug tube amps, holographic pictures of sound and 3D imaging.  So it's not as dry as that NAD that I had. 

Next time I'm 6 drinks in and talking hifi with someone who cares or is not bored of me, I'm going to say this plebeian thing....

When Class A/B idles, it's only running at say 1000 rpm--to use a motor analogy. 

When Class D idles, it's only running at say 100 rpm.  So, Class D needs longer idle times to keep stuff warm because its rpms are so low. 

PS. I have a masters degree in BS, but it sounds good. 🤣

@mrskeptic , good point, but there are many here who know a good bit about amp topology, engineering and so on.  

Maybe this site is too subjective for you?  Have you tried AudioScienceReview?  That's a special place over there. $500 Topping amps that measure better than D'Agostino are gospel because of their objective stats. 😏

You know, Erik, I'm wondering if my NAD M22 would have sounded better if I could've figured out how to disable it's auto standby feature, where it put the amp into semi sleep.  It wasn't supposed to be that hard, but I'm no longer good with tech options. 

My Marantz Ruby is never turned off now.  

Fair, Erik.  I nearly gave that amp away for a buyer friendly used price. I should've kept it and used it in a different system. It was a fine amp.  I just couldn't get it to sound right with my higher efficiency speakers.  Sounded great with the house brand PSB Imagine T2s. 

Fair enough Mr.Skeptic!  

@aj523 , I love it. I’m really starting to think that several of the nice class the amps I owned before we’re not really given the best opportunity to perform as I did not leave them always on