[net.audio] WARMUP TIME

rayjay@ihuxr.UUCP (john wray) (10/12/83)

Here's a bone for all you "audio rats out there to knaw on........

I recently got into a rather heavy discussion with a friend about how
long a time is necessary to allow your audio gear to warmup to
expect the best results from same.
  He had read an article in AUDIO AMATEUR (sp?) that it was necessary
to warmup a Hafler DH-101 for at least 24 hours to get the best results.
Another friend of mine leaves his system on all weekend ( that's when he
does most of his listening).
Some "tube freaks" I know let their units burn 24 hours a day all the time.

How about it? Any comments?

softech@micomvax.UUCP (10/13/83)

	I leave my preamp (Thaedra Servo-loop Class A) and amp (Bryston 3B)
on 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Analogic circuitry is in a stable state
when temperatures have reached their operating levels. In the case of my
preamp, this is around 50 degrees celsius (yes, class A runs hot). From a cold
start, it takes about one hour to reach this temperature, and the sound isn't
really there until then, so I leave it on. The  idle wattage of both components
is about 120 watts, so the electricity bill isn't affected very much.

	I also read on numerous occasions that temperature gradients (going
from hot to cold to hot) are the single most important cause of equipment 
aging and gradual loss of performance.

Richard Blouin,
...!philabs!micomvax!softech

rtf@ihuxw.UUCP (10/17/83)

I have a question for those people who prefer to leave their
amps and preamps powered up all the time.  I should make it
clear that I agree with you, I was told by a friend who majored
in EE technology that solid state components are happier when
warm and dislike being powered up and down.  My question is:
Have you ever had any adverse reaction or damage to voltage
spikes which are very inherent in consumer power lines?
If not, how can this be avoided?  I do not keep my system
powered up at all times for fear of this.

					sparrow