Page 1 of 1

Tube warm-up

Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 12:30 pm
by Diapason
Do those of you with valve amps turn them on for a while before listening, or do you just get stuck in? Would it be fair to assume that it's not damaging the valves to play music from more-or-less switch on, even if they sound better after a while? Just curious.

Re: Tube warm-up

Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 12:37 pm
by Ivor
Diapason wrote:Do those of you with valve amps turn them on for a while before listening, or do you just get stuck in? Would it be fair to assume that it's not damaging the valves to play music from more-or-less switch on, even if they sound better after a while? Just curious.
I don't think there's any danger in using them from cold but 30 minutes or so is all it takes.

Re: Tube warm-up

Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 12:41 pm
by Diapason
Grand, thanks. I can hear definite changes over the first 15 minutes or so, then another more subtle change around the 45 minute mark, but I could be imagining that one.

Nick Drake on rotation at the moment. Gorgeous.

Re: Tube warm-up

Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 1:00 pm
by Fran
No, no problem to play from cold, although the sound may change as everything warms up and reaches proper voltages etc. I know, for example on my phonostage, the voltage takes about 30 mins to be stable.

If I had (hifi) visitors coming I'd try to have everything on for at least an hour....

Fran

Re: Tube warm-up

Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 1:06 pm
by Ivor
Diapason wrote:Grand, thanks. I can hear definite changes over the first 15 minutes or so, then another more subtle change around the 45 minute mark, but I could be imagining that one.
Yeah that would be my expierience too. As Fran says for more serious listing give it an hour or so. I loves valves I do.

Re: Tube warm-up

Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 7:59 pm
by Gerry D
Ivor wrote:
Diapason wrote:Grand, thanks. I can hear definite changes over the first 15 minutes or so, then another more subtle change around the 45 minute mark, but I could be imagining that one.
Yeah that would be my expierience too. As Fran says for more serious listing give it an hour or so. I loves valves I do.
Me too. Valves are hot stuff !

Re: Tube warm-up

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 2:41 pm
by Dowser
About 20 mins for my Croft Pre and DIY valve hybrid power amps to come on song. Mind you, I also switch it on about an hour before serious listening - that way the room is nice and warm :)

Richard

Re: Tube warm-up

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:07 pm
by cybot
Dowser wrote:About 20 mins for my Croft Pre and DIY valve hybrid power amps to come on song. Mind you, I also switch it on about an hour before serious listening - that way the room is nice and warm :)

Richard

I love that word CROFT :)))