2. amps-preamps
  3. 187190-150037

How long does it take your tube amp to warm up?

My tube amplifier has about 12 tubes and takes a couple hours for it to open up and sound really good and comfortable to listen to. Always wondered why it takes so long for a tube amplifier to warm up and what’s happening during this phase.

If I left it on for six or seven hours would it sound even better? I normally don’t leave it on for more than four or five hours.

How long does it take your amplifiers to warm up?

emergingsoul
mesch
3,410 posts
 

+1 rodman. 

emergingsoul OP
950 posts
 

Please let's not keep the equipment on all the time. There is a need to be somewhat concerned about environmental issues.

 

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
2,848 posts
 

Please let's not keep the equipment on all the time. There is a need to be somewhat concerned about environmental issues.

Oh brother....🙄

bolong
386 posts
 

I used to complain about my Primaluna's needing 2 hours to warm up and really sound glorious. However, I now realize that neither the amps nor the Sophia Electric blue "coke bottle" EL-34's were actually broken in. The Sophia's have a 5,000 hour rated life, so breaking them in takes a long time, and I listen to only 2 or 3 CD's per night. The break-in is loooong. Now that everything is settled, the amps are good to go right out of the gates after 15 minutes. They still gain a more awesome midrange after an hour of playing though.

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