Requesting opinions regarding tecnical amp workings.
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BeRad
Posts: 745
I received the following in an email from the gentleman I purchased my B&K 4420 from. I would like some input from the experts out there as to the validity of this statement:
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you kindly.
I do not believe in turning solid state equipment on and off. That surge of power is what makes them grow old. Leave them on, they will last forever. Solid state amps are not meant to be turned on in the morning and off at night. Also the BK takes 30 minutes of MUSIC, not just being on, before it really sounds WONDERFUL. So turn on your tunes 30 minutes before you are gonna sit and do the SERIOUS listening. You will hear the difference quite clearly, from good sound to excellent in 30 minutes
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you kindly.
Post edited by BeRad on
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I too believe in the 30 minute rule, but I still turn my amp(s) off when not in use.. once a day is all though.PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin: -
While I agree that before critical listening an amp should have a warm up period to allow the temperature of the output transistors/heatsinks to stabilize therefore the bias will also be stabilized.
However he is overstating abit the turning on/off cycling as limiting the life of the amp.Yes there is an inrush of current into the filter caps/bridge rectifiers at turn on that stress them,but a properly designed unit with appropriately sized rectifiers to handle the peak current then life exspectancy should not change much either way.Filter caps do have a finite life span anywhere from ten years to 15 or more with the longer life higher temp (105 degress)rated ones.
Edit.I should add that I have had the oportunity to observe an amplifers distortion characteristics(connected to an Audio Precision Anylizer.) change as it it warmed up.There was a definite improvement as it reached optimum operating temperature.Testing
Testing
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Yes he overstating by saying you should never turn it off. I leave my system on unless I know I won't have the time to listen. Typically it gets turned on Thursday evening and off Sunday evening. I've had my amp 20 years and no issue what so ever and I have no inrush limiter.
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul! -
I'd expect constant heat around electrolytic capacitors and other components would cause more premature aging than any inrush current.
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John in MA wrote: »I'd expect constant heat around electrolytic capacitors and other components would cause more premature aging than any inrush current.
Both are inconsequential for most amp designs. Any amp design worth it's salt will have caps that can withstand the heat for a very long time. Only exception would be for defective caps.
Any of the popular midfi amps talked about regularly here aren't going to have that issue. Atleast not for many many years."Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul! -
Berad, I see nothing incorrect with what he says with the exception of the second sentence. Leaving your gear on is a matter of personal preference. For what it's worth, I leave mine on 24/7 so that it's ready when I'm ready.~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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You guys are fast. Thanks for the input. I'll experiment with it a bit and see if I notice any significant sound improvement once it is warmed up. It sounds like switching it on and off a few times a week isn't a big deal. From what I am reading I should be safe doing whatever works best for me. I will be going down to the USA on Thursday night to pick it up.
My thanks once again. I'm more and more glad I found this site every time I come to it (daily). I'm learning more here than I did in University! lol -
Letting it sit without being used for long periods of time is worse than anything else."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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It's all a matter of personal preference, but amps do sound better after they warm up.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk
