Digital Components Warmup Opinions

Randy Myers

Randy Myers

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 7, 2015
Messages
6,117
Location
Kansas
I have heard and been reading about warming up and getting each component's best sound. I am asking for others opinions and/or experiences.

I read that digital components take longer to warm up for ideal performance; some as long as 24 hours. If this is true then a computer/music server and DAC should be left on. Occasionally rebooting, but never turned off for periods of time. Has anyone noticed this?

A couple considerations; of course nothing with tubes should ever be left on, even my hybrid pre-amp will only be turned on when it is going to be used. I also do not feel comfortable leaving an amplifier on when not in use.

My main concerns are:
  1. I am not one who believes in leaving a computer (and therefore a music server) on. If it is truly better then I could probably get over this.
  2. I have always felt that leaving a DAC on all of the time may not be good for it, but am open to opinions if it is truly better. Also a tad concerned in if this would shorten the life.... displays burning out, etc.
  3. Currently my Amp is triggered from the DAC, but this is a pretty easy one. I can remove the T+A trigger cable. The amp will then automatically turn on when it sees an audio signal on the inputs from the pre-amp. Can this auto power on and off circuit become an issue?
  4. I have even read that a disk spinner also falls in this category and should be left on. This one is not a concern for me because the Oppo is only used for one very specific chore and almost never is used as a source for listening to music straight from the disk.

So, any thoughts, opinions, etc. I am trying to decide if it might be better to leave the server and DAC on rather than turning them off each time after listening.
 
Randy, I usually leave my computer on all the time. I rationalize the energy use because we have 42 solar panels on our roof. I have SS drives in the computer, so there is no issue with spinning disks. My NAS drive (12 drives) have the equivalent of Raid 5 redundancy (and I have additional backups both in the house and at our local bank). I use a UPS with the NAS box, so no sudden issues with power failures (we have backup power so the UPS is only needed for less than a minute). As far as the DAC, I have three different ones. Two are solid state, one gets left on all the time and the other is only occasionally used, so it is left off all the time. My tube DAC is left on or on standby mode during the day time and powered down at night. The manufacturer recommends that the tube failure is caused more by the heating and cooling of the tubes (metal and glass expand and contract differently causing air leaks in the tubes which are the main cause of problems). The tubes are run conservatively and should last for several years of continuous use. There is a warm up time for the electronics, more for the tubes, but I don't play anything seriously for at least an hour after turning the system on in the morning.

Larry
 
My amps are always on, I turn the pre on when in use(tubed). My cd and clock are always on as well and even though I hear the clock has a lifespan, I leave it on anyway. I doubt I'll use the same clock a decade from now but who knows. I feel like music is bit more effortless when my system has been on for awhile. I turn everything off for travel and weather.

Dave
 
Randy.......In both the living room system and the studio system I leave the music servers and DAC's energized 24/7. I also leave the Simaudio MOON Neo 260D transport in the living room system energized 24/7. I prefer components that employ crystal clocks to remain temperature stable. All other components are off when not in use. I usually allow the MC2301's in the studio system 30 minutes of warm-up before playing music, and even then I think the system sounds best after it has been on for an hour.
 
For the most part the following apply, especially after I installed a surge protector at the panel and the system is on its own circuit:

On:

Server, DAC and Transport

Off:

Pre and Amps

Every now and then I shut everything down over night.

Amps sound good when turned on and really kick it after a few hours with gain along the way.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
I have never notice any difference in sound when leaving a CDP on, or, any improvement after being turned on for awhile.

I do leave my computer on all the time for updates etc.

With the former being said, my preamp doesn't even have a power button to be turned off, and, I have noticed the Hegel HD30 dos seem to sound a bit better after som time being turned on. It only has a power button on back, so I assume it's meant to remain on and that's what I do now.

My power amp seems to sound better after being on and warms up but I don't leave it on. Just a personal decision. Just something about using the power and no break between my system and speakers if left on.
 
I leave my digital stuff on 24x7 unless we have some killer daily summer lightning storm then all bets are off even with a UPS system. Never screw with mother nature during lightning season. Amps and pre, TT and phono always off when not in use. I do give my amps 30min to warm UP.
 
My sonicTransporter and Sooloos MC200 units stay on all the time connected to a power supply with back-up capability. I turn my Rossini off every night but leave the clock on.
 
Thanks for all the feedback! As usual, you guys come through with some pretty good advice and examples.

It sounds like the consensus is to leave the server and DAC on and turn off the pre, amp, etc., but expect some warm up time on these components!

Even though I like the display on the DAC I also decided to turn it off. It never changes since I have HQPlayer up sampling everything to 24.6Mhz. No reason having extra wear and tear added by having it on all the time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top