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Can temperature fluctuations affect audio gear?

Don't know about this...some owner's manuals say that you should allow equipment and tubes to warm to room temperature before using them, but this is different. My audio room is upstairs, isolated from the thermostat. Have to keep the door closed so the dogs don't venture in there and create havoc. Hence, in summer, the temperature in the room regularly goes to 85 degrees or so. In winter (like now), it will easily drop below 60 degrees. No need to worry about equilibration, since the gear is always in there, but should I worry about the temp fluctuations? Could get a baby gate to keep the dogs out, then it would stay 70-72, but otherwise, in winter a space heater is the only option.
afc
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
The mention of temperature in literature is really for extreme cold. If a very cold piece of electronics is brought into a warm room, it will condense moisture out of the air on ALL the electronis inside. You want to wait until this condensation goes away before turning it on.
That is the primary reason for the warning.
So if the stuff is the same temperature as the environment, that warning doess not apply.
Enjoy.
almarg's avatar
almarg
8,673 posts
 
I agree with Elizabeth. I wouldn't worry about the possibility of damage, if that was the point to your question.

I would add, though, that from a technical standpoint it does seem conceivable to me that a 25 or 30 degreeF difference in ambient temperature could result in sonic differences, at least to a subtle degree. But I would expect those differences, if any, to be equipment-dependent and unpredictable.

Also, it wouldn't surprise me if a temperature difference of that magnitude caused differences in your own hearing mechanisms as well. :-)

Regards,
-- Al
hifihvn
943 posts
 
If you plan on using the system,I would open the door,and blow a fan on it(system),while it warms up.Maybe a hour,or so first.The warm humid air from downstairs,plus your humidity might cause condensation in them,if it gets fairly cool.
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