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How long it take before your system/amps sound

...the best. My system sounds the best after 12 hours of playing. I didn't realize this until I inadvertently left my system on overnight. I was surprised how much better it sounded compared having the system on for an hour or two. I have tube DAC and amps, which probably are the reason for long warm up. His really surprised me.
dracule1
donjr
1,311 posts
 
I turn my tube integrated and CDP/DAC on and set the kitchen timer for 25 minutes and that's when I begin listening. It sounds best after an hour. My CDP requires this warm up, not just the tube amp. I think leaving your gear on 24/7/365 is nuts but that's probably because I can't do it with my amp. I would never purchase used gear from someone if I found out it was on 24/7/365.
stevecham
3,298 posts
 
One half hour or so and all is sweet.
samhar
1,034 posts
 
All the nine pin tubes in the amp and preamp are on 24/7 in heater mode. It takes one hour to get everything warmed up and to start sounding OK and three hours to become very smooth and at it's best. Even though I use the CDP very rarely I leave it on 24/7 for best results.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
I think this varies too much to reach generalities. I generally leave all solid state stuff on 24/7. Given the cost of tubes and my uncertainty whether turning them on and off harms them more than being left on, I generally leave all but amps on 24/7. In Texas leaving big tube amps on is cost electric heating and cooling to undo it.
dracule1 OP
1,043 posts
 
Interesting...such varying responses. I would not leave my amps and DAC on 24/7 because it sucks up a lot of electricity and shorten tube life. But it's a shame I have to wait so long to have my system sound so effortless, open, and natural. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't heard it.
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