2. amps-preamps
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Solid state warm up?

I recently Put in a BAT vk-250SE with bat pack into my system to power Dynaudio Contour S 3.4 speakers. I was using a B&K reference amp with pretty good results, but I wanted more detail and subtlety. I got both, but I also got a darker, almost mushy sound. Some material is worse than others. I have pulled the speakers a few more inches from the back wall which helped a bit. The sound may actually get better the longer the amP is on...hours. Could the amp just need to warm-up and maybe be left on 24/7? It does get quite warm. I use the 12v trigger to put it in standby. Any ideas?
phoenix469
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Highend4me,

Tubes need only 5...10min to get all DC voltages steady while transistors need at least 25min to reach operating specified parameters.

In fact tubes are not sensitive to temperature at all while transistors are. That's why they need radiators so their temperature does not go above certain point otherwise the power will produce heat instead of current.
raquel
841 posts
 
It's not fully correct to say that tubes are not sensitive to temperature - generally speaking, they wear out more quickly when run at higher voltages (and thus higher operating temperatures). I presume you were referring to their operating parameters being comparatively insensitive to temperature.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Thanks Raquel,
That's what I meant about tube parameters.
rex44
64 posts
 
Unlike Solid states, tubes are better shut down as they have a more limited life.
SS gear with 10 mins of warm up are fine.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
I use Sunfire SRA amps and they like to be on 24/7. They only consume 20W of idle power. Otherwise I have very boomy bass and undeveloped mids. I guess class D or Tripath amps are best to be turned on always.
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