[rockadanny]

Want my system to reach optimum performance (warm tubes and charged capacitors) a.s.a.p. after a cold startup.
After firing up my system and waiting 20 minutes, should I then:

A) Leave alone to continue allowing it to warm up; or
B) Play music quietly for a while longer; or
C) Play music at normal volume for a while longer; or
D) Whatever, doesn't make any difference.

What do you think (and why)?

[Bob2]

.

[FullRangeMan]

Want my system to reach optimum performance (warm tubes and charged capacitors) a.s.a.p. after a cold startup.
After firing up my system and waiting 20 minutes, should I then:

A) Leave alone to continue allowing it to warm up; or
B) Play music quietly for a while longer; or
C) Play music at normal volume for a while longer; or
D) Whatever, doesn't make any difference.

What do you think (and why)?

For extended tube life (+2K hours) a valve equip must have:
1)Two power on switches:
first for cathode heating,
second for grid and plate.
This is the once famous and now unknow warm-up and operate switches.

2)Both these power on switches must have a smooth ramp 30 seconds soft start.

Of course these switches are hand operated by the user,
which choose the warm-up time
Without the softstart the warmup are compromissed.
The 2 power on switches are good but the softstart circuit are crucial and mandatory to heat a cold tube, otherwise the cold filaments, cathode, grid and plate will be stressed w/the full voltage which are expected only when the tube becomes hot and ready to operate.

As a good news now Line Magnetic are using 30sec softstart,
the first in the audio industry for decades...
Just my 2 cents.

[raindance]

Want my system to reach optimum performance (warm tubes and charged capacitors) a.s.a.p. after a cold startup.
After firing up my system and waiting 20 minutes, should I then:

A) Leave alone to continue allowing it to warm up; or
B) Play music quietly for a while longer; or
C) Play music at normal volume for a while longer; or
D) Whatever, doesn't make any difference.

What do you think (and why)?

Does it sound good? Listen to it. The capacitors are charged in miiliseconds. Tubes warm up in 5-10 minutes. These questions are inane. Just use your ears.

[JerryM]

I do this:

I tend to treat my system like I treat myself:

Turn system on. (Get out of bed.)

System warming up. (Coffee brewing.)

System playing music. (Pouring second cup.)

Ready to go and jammin'. (Ready to go and jammin'.)

[JakeJ]

As a good news now Line Magnetic are using 30sec softstart,
the first in the audio industry for decades...
Just my 2 cents.

I have an Audible Illusions M3A from 1993 and it (and all other AI preamps) run with the heaters on all the time.  The front panel power switch just turns on the plate and grid supplies.

[mcgsxr]

I have tubes in my DAC, and a Class A SS amp.

Once the system is turned on for more than 30 minutes, I start sitting and listening.  Before that it is for background/warm up while I do other things.

[smk]

Interesting Q&A.

I have been allowing tubes to warm up for 1/2 hour or so before listening. I'm too far away from volume knob for background listening to be practical. Maybe I should enter 21st century. DIY out of the question. My soldering skills practically nonexistent & don't think I would trust myself around something that could easily burn building and/or me.

Does anyone know where I could obtain soft start/tube heater unit as tubes aren't becoming less expensive?

[sts9fan]

I always turn on my system and stare atit for at LEAST 2 hours before putting on test tones to see if its ok.  That or I just turn it on and listen to music right away.  Never can remember which is correct. 

[Wind Chaser]

Does it sound good? Listen to it. The capacitors are charged in miiliseconds. Tubes warm up in 5-10 minutes. These questions are inane. Just use your ears.

+1.

15 minutes (with or without a signal) is all it takes, anything after that is wasted tube life. If you can't hear a real difference, then why worry?

[FullRangeMan]

Interesting Q&A.

I have been allowing tubes to warm up for 1/2 hour or so before listening. I'm too far away from volume knob for background listening to be practical. Maybe I should enter 21st century. DIY out of the question. My soldering skills practically nonexistent & don't think I would trust myself around something that could easily burn building and/or me.

Does anyone know where I could obtain soft start/tube heater unit as tubes aren't becoming less expensive?

Try K&K Audio Time Delay and Soft Start Kit if it is suited to your amp and please inform me about the results after installed:

I dont know if this board are suited to your amp though.
The resistors R2,3,5,6 are 1% tolerance which is good,
the R1 & 4 are 5%.

[max190]

I always turn on my system and stare atit for at LEAST 2 hours before putting on test tones to see if its ok.  That or I just turn it on and listen to music right away.  Never can remember which is correct.

[smk]

FullRangeMan, Should have added I not into DIY alpha/beta guinea pig thing. Also, I can hear big difference for about 10 minutes after initial power up which gradually becomes better until 1/2 hour when I reach point of diminishing returns. I.e.; After that I can't tell if I'm imagining differences or hearing them. Of course with age-related hearing loss…

[rockadanny]

The capacitors are charged in miiliseconds. Tubes warm up in 5-10 minutes.

Thank you. Very helpful to know.

These questions are inane.

Snarky bullshit replies like this are not appreciated.

The reason I ask is ... I have very little time these days to listen to my system. If I can warm it up while doing something else then that means more time listening at optimal playback. My system seems to reach optimal performance after listening for perhaps an hour. If I can get it there quicker then better for me.

[mresseguie]

The fellow who designed and built my new preamp told me it needs but 2 or 3 songs to be warmed up. What's that - perhaps 8 to 10 minutes?

Definitely not an inane question IMO.

[FullRangeMan]

FullRangeMan, Should have added I not into DIY alpha/beta guinea pig thing. Also, I can hear big difference for about 10 minutes after initial power up which gradually becomes better until 1/2 hour when I reach point of diminishing returns. I.e.; After that I can't tell if I'm imagining differences or hearing them. Of course with age-related hearing loss…

I also not better than you, I suggest you delegate the service to an experienced technician in tube amps.

[smk]

I share you opinion, FullRangeMan. But with SSDI, no DIY & being audiophool, that ain't going to happen.

[twitch54]

Does it sound good? Listen to it. The capacitors are charged in miiliseconds. Tubes warm up in 5-10 minutes. These questions are inane. Just use your ears.

 

don't know that I'd call the question insane though ........