Warm up solid state amp or not???

[unknownuser]

I've heard both sides about warming up a solid state amp or not. Usually I read about turning the amp on for at least 1/2 hour before listening to it. What does everyone else think about this theory??? FWIW I have and Adcom GFA-555 to power my Veritas speakers and while my amp might not be "audiophile" quality it is more than capable to drive these to a very pleasant SPL level. I have never been able to perform a true "blind" test so to speak but I have my opinions about this subject too, after all the human ear can compensate tonal overload to a point but everyone is different TIA for opinions, Mark S


(Originally posted by: Mark Saito)

[steve_m]

Well I suppose that heating it up will increase the Hfe of all BJTs used in the design (good thing). However, a good design should be nearly independent of Hfe to allow for manufacturing tolerances, and so this is likely a moot point...

Otherwise, beats me...I keep my amps as cool as I can :)

[bogie]

If you're a golden-eared snake oil salesman, and you're selling a special $495 amplifier heater (guaranteed to maintain the amplifier at room temperature), then, well...

I don't think it matters.

[killerkowalczyk]

I turn my solid state amp 10 - 15 mins before I put music through it, I find that if I play music through it right away the bass isnt as tight. People are going to call my crazy or a stupid person that believes in snake oil, but I to me its helps and I dont care what they think or say, besides what could it hurt, its not like its a tweak you have to pay for.

[Paul K.]

You do have to pay for that extra 10-15 minutes of electricity! ;>) Still, a little warmup is probably the way to go even with SS components.
Paul K.

> I turn my solid state amp 10 - 15 mins
> before I put music through it, I find that
> if I play music through it right away the
> bass isnt as tight. People are going to call
> my crazy or a stupid person that believes in
> snake oil, but I to me its helps and I dont
> care what they think or say, besides what
> could it hurt, its not like its a tweak you
> have to pay for.

[bobleeqsc]

I think it's reasonable to expect that a competently designed amp should perform to spec within seconds of being turned on.

-Bob