Thaddeus Smith Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 what's your philosophy, and what's your ritual? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drobo Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 Thirty minutes. Seems by then the bias settings have stablized where they were calibrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Steven1963 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 5 or 10 minutes. But I'm new to tubes and really do not have enough experience with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 Grip it and rip it. You should just ask the creator. You might be surprised. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 I dont wait around much (tube pre), but I do concede it probably sounds better after 15-20 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tromprof Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 (edited) It may depend on the amp. My 300B seemed to come into its own after 15 min or so, but the little Sophia Electric I had seemed to sound just fine as soon as it came on. Maybe it has something to do with tube size? Edited May 5, 2015 by tromprof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twk123 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 I have a tube in my DAC and it usually takes about 10-15 min to really warm up. I usually play some Electronic Music or Hip Hop in the meantime which arent as affected by the sound quality like actual bands with instruments are with more subtle nuances etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 After I turn the amp on it takes around 20 sec. to power on for a strong signal and then it is ready to go. I have seen some class A amps take around 20-30 min and then the magic sound appears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 First on, last off, 15 min warmup.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 For me it has been at least 20 minutes warm up, then things start to get better. I think my system sounds best after an hour or two!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 I think my system sounds best after an hour or two!!! Mine sounds best after a beer or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 I'll pass. This one is too easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Smith Posted May 6, 2015 Author Share Posted May 6, 2015 I was honestly expecting more spirited opinions.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 (edited) Dead ears here but I follow the pre on / amp on; amp off / pre off recommended by Craig and as far as warm up...once the music starts I might hear a difference in the first minute or so but it takes me a few to get the source going. I light the pre and amps then go find an album or disc so that takes a few. I'll go with the Carl prescription The one thing I do (right or wrong) is to make sure that the tubes have been lit long enough to stabilize temperature before I turn them off and if, for whatever reason I want to turn them back on I give them at least 5 minutes or more before the power cycle back on. I hand wave over them tubes and if I feel heat I wait a bit. Edited May 6, 2015 by USNRET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyrc Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 I think the old Martin Mayer book (written before solid state in Hi Fi components) said 25 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul79 Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Turn and burn baby! I think 5 minutes is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 I think the biggest improvement is in the first 5 or 10 minutes but the music is cookin' by 30! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ69 Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 It depends. On my most critical system I can hear that it takes 20 minutes to get warmed up and smooth. On other systems I can't hear a difference. As a general rule I give it a half hour before I do any critical listening. Shutdown procedure is turning the gain all the way down and wait for 10 minutes before I kill the power. No reason but I like to let the tubes "idle down" before I flick them off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Idle down? That makes me wonder... I always figured that some tubes might actually be running cooler when the amp is producing the most and running hotter when it isn't producing any sound... while it is just converting energy into heat instead of music. I'm assuming this might be correct with some components whether we are talking about a preamp or amp but perhaps someone could help explain what parts are getting warmer or cooler and when. Perhaps this is also different depending if we are talking about class A or not. Now I'm curious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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