2. misc-audio
  3. 137712-110858

Leaving Solid State Equipment on all the Time

Someone told me that: 
  • Leaving your gear on all the time allows all the components to "come up to temperature."  
  • Transistors, resistors and other devices all have specific operating temps that they work best at. Below these temps, they're not performing at peak capability. 
  • Transformers will generally take 2-3 days to settle down and come up to their operating temps. 
  • Capacitors will take anywhere between 3-4 days to settle down. 
  • If you're continuously turning off the gear, you're basically hearing the system as it's first waking up in the morning. After it's been on for a few days, you'll hear that the tonal balance smooths out, that the top end becomes sweeter and purer and that bass has more control, articulation, and becomes more natural. 
Any truth to any of that? 
128x128oldschool1948
handymann
298 posts
 
I have two class A monoblocks I turn off, after a listening session as well as two Aesthetix tubed preamps that remain in standby, when turned off.  It takes approx 30-60 minutes for them to come to operating temp.  As stated above, the temps of all my amps, as well as the operating costs of leaving them on continuously, prohibits my leaving them on.  My Theta Miles, also stays in standby, with the exception of a forecasted electrical storm, then everything gets unplugged, except for one or two components I would like to get zapped😊
oldschool1948's avatar
oldschool1948 OP
146 posts
 
I must say, my music does sound much better when I leave the equipment on.  

My NAD M12 pre/dac and M22 v2 power amp have a standby mode, but the Zenith does not.  First chance I get, I'm going to place the NADs in standby mode for a few hours and then power them up to see how long it takes for them to warm up.

I also have class A Mc MC2600 and Pioneer SPEC-4 power amps, which I rarely use these days.  I've always left those puppies off until I plan to use them.
minorl
740 posts
 

Most newer equipment has slow start circuitry that dramatically reduces the on/off cycling damage possibility for high current amps.  So, that really isn't an issue anymore.

Other than that, heat is the enemy.  Running equipment 24/7 will reduce the life expectancy of any equipment.  Auto manufacturers and dealers now tell people that oil of today is substantially better than oil in the past so time between oil changes can be lengthened.  While that may be true.  It is still better to change oil every three thousand miles or when that oil appears dirty.  Why take chances with expensive repairs.

Some manufacturers want return customers.

common sense is a necessity.

Tube equipment and especially tube amps. I'm turning off. Tube life is typically 2000 hours for power tubes and those suckers are expensive.  Unless the amp has some sort of standby circuitry that lengthens tube life.

I learned my lesson so I turn my equipment off after use and turn it on when I come home.

I came home a few years ago to a house smelling of burning circuitry.  My Krell KBX electronics crossover has no on/off switch and is always on.  Well, some circuitry started to fail and burn. 

Well lesson learned.  When I'm gone, the equipment is off.  My system sounds great after 30 to 40 minutes of warm up.

enjoy

orpheus10
5,988 posts
 
My solid state preamp has been on for at least 5 years, with no ill effect.
mahler123
633 posts
 
I’m with minors.  I think equipment needs to be turned off every now and then to keep from overheating.
More to discover