I've always been a semi-skeptic about amplifier warm up and I'm still a semi-skeptic. However, here's what I'm experiencing. Mostly these days I listen to headphones, but I also get a chance to listen to my PMC DB1is on occassion. I'm powering them with a NAD C316bee 40w/ch amp. The amp stays fully off when not in use. Meaning I turn it off on the back switch, not standby. I do this because the speakers are not left connected and I worry about the speaker wires touching each other and shorting out the amp. So when I get a chance to listen to the PMCs with the NAD amp, I've consistenly had the same experience every time. At first listen I always think the PMCs sound muddy. Both the bass and the mids. And the treble lacks sparkle. Overall, completely unimpressive. In fact, I usually think to myself, "self...I should sell these PMCs and buy something else." BUT, after about 15 minutes of play time, I've not only reversed this position, I'm so impressed with PMCs, I'm wondering if I should replace my large Dyn speakers with more expensive PMCs because they sound so fantastic. Stringed instruments are particularly impressive, but overall presentation is a joy to hear with lots of sparkle and a clean clear live sound to everything.
So, it could be my imagination. That's what I chalked it up to the first few times, but now I've realized this happens everytime I play the PMC/NAD combo. It's a consistent experience. It could be the amp needs warm up. Or it could be even the speakers need warm up. Not sure what's going on here...
So, it could be my imagination. That's what I chalked it up to the first few times, but now I've realized this happens everytime I play the PMC/NAD combo. It's a consistent experience. It could be the amp needs warm up. Or it could be even the speakers need warm up. Not sure what's going on here...