Abstract: Magneto-Resistive (MR) head read/write channel (400) provides timer (421), detector (433) and amplifier (432) to reduce the amount of time required to transition from read mode to write mode. Controller (410) issues the write command (WGATE) to signal a pending mode change from read to write mode. While read/write channel (400) remains in read mode, timer (421) begins a configurable countdown sequence, which allows Arm Electronics (430), except for a final output stage of amplifier (432), to power up in preparation for write mode. Once timer (421) has reached terminal count, signal (CHWGATE) is de-asserted, which causes write channel (422) to warm up. After warm up, write channel (422) writes serial data (WRITE DATA) to detector (433). Still in read mode, detector (433) detects the presence of WRITE DATA from write channel (422) and asserts signal (AEWGATE).