2. misc-audio
  3. 159469-149716

To warm up or not to warm up, and...?

So I bought one of those AC Infinity component coolers for my big fat receiver, and have been using it, and it definitely keeps it cool. But I've been wondering this... If a component performs better when it has warmed up, then should one use such a device as this AC Infinity that I now have, or would performance be better without it? Or perhaps there is a certain temperature I should let it get up to for best sound, or just keep it as cold as it will? I'm so confused now. Lol. Please help... Thank you!
jcolespeedway

Showing 2 responses by jjss49

jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,610 posts
 
i hear better sound quality when my amplification gear - tube or ss - warms up, usually from 10 to 30 min in

we are talking about hegel, van alstine, odyssey, ayre ss gear, as well as cj, arc, pl, air tight tube gear

that been said, i am careful to keep hot running tube amps cool and air circulating... use quiet fans to move the air past the power tubes e.g. 8x kt88 kt120 etc etc... i am pretty convinced  (as is ARC) that letting these high power tubes run cooler makes them last longer
jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,610 posts
 
no doubt heat is an enemy of components and most mechanical and electrical devices

but introducing another motorized component to drive and power fan cooling also has negatives in noise and vibration

guess all in all ymmv... 
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