Conventional wisdom holds that DACs require "warming up" for best performance, especially multi-bit DACs like my BF2. Can someone explain this? I seem to recall the claim that temperature affects the crystal(s) for the clock(s), or something like that. I've heard the suggestion that a DAC run 24/7, and that there can be some benefit to hours or even days of operation after a "cold start". What is the physics behind this? Does it matter if my room is 65 degrees F, or 75, or 85? Is there an optimal operating temperature higher than normal ambient room temperature? Is there a temperature threshold beyond which performance degrades? Should I stack my BF2 on top of my Jot to warm it up? I've tried to give all my components a chance to "warm up" prior to an (all too infrequent) dedicated listening session, and I don't choose to have my rig running 24/7.
like to the other post mentioned, the audibility of the warmup varies by the user, ancillary hardware, source material. When the unit has been off for say a day or more, turn it on and listen to some familiar music without the warm-up. if it sounds strange to you, then retry after say 30 mins or 1 hour.
it does not matter if the room is 65, 75 or 85, as after a prolonged period of power-on, the BF2 will always reach a steady-state temperature of say 15 degrees above the room temperature (e.g. BF2 might reach 80F in a 65F room, 100F in a 85F room). If the room is very hot, say 110F, that will shorten the lifespan of the capacitors, but the other components should be less sensitive to the higher ambient room temperature.
When I first got my BF1 (multibit OG), on unboxing, the unit was colder than normal room temp (likely sitting in a UPS track/ unheated warehouse overnight) but I plugged it in for a quick listen, and the sound was a bit muddy / noisy / unnatural. I kept it powered up, let it sit for a few hours, and by then it sounded more normal. Since then, I have kept it powered up 24/7.
In my case, 6 yrs total warranty (4 yrs from Schiit, plus another extended 2 yrs from the credit card), so Im not concerned about shortening the useful life by running it 24/7. If it fails shortly after that, by then there will be another DAC of equal or better performance in that price range (or cheaper) to replace it.
