2. amps-preamps
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To turn off or not to turn off

That is the question. I have always left my components on, because I heard that they would pay me back with greater reliability. The theory goes that electric/electronic hardware takes a big hit every time it is turned on.

However, I don't listen to the equipment through the night. And the equipment is using electricity and converting it to heat while idling. Besides the waste, would it be better for the equimpent to be turned off when not in use?

What do you think?

Dan C.
dancarne
leoturetsky
103 posts
 
You should see if it sounds better to you. My Onkyo receiver absolutely had to stay on all the time to sound right. My Adcom amp definitely likes to be on for a few hours before use and my Rotel preamp doesn't sound noticably different either way. Hope this helps. leo.
jsbail
320 posts
 
It would be great if more amps had a standby mode like Levinson and Pass. I leave my amp on but hate wasting electricty.
glen's avatar
glen
714 posts
 
I want to leave my stuff on, I really do. I know it would be better for my three solid state amps if I did, but the power bill would be way to high. I use to leave my 100-watt amp on 24/7. My current 300-watt amp gets turned off when not in use except sometimes on the weekends. Everything else gets switched into standby when not in use. Maybe if the price of power comes down I'll leave my power hungry stuff on, but for now I choose to conserve on energy. That's my opinion for the second or possibly the third time on this subject:~)
ohlala
993 posts
 
Your call. I wouldn't worry about failure, but some companies find that thier products prefer to stay on. Except for warm up time, I don't think it matters much.
kinsekd
252 posts
 
I agree with sdcampbell. I leave my solid state (HT) system on all the time and turn my tube (music) system off when not in use (out of necessity). I am a big believer in surge protection.
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