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Leave an amp "on" permanetly

I understand that tube amps need to warm up sufficently before they can reach their potential. Is this also true with SS amps? I own a McCormack DNA-1 deluxe, and I hear a discernable difference when listening to my system "cold" versus "warmed-up". Do you also find this to be true?

If so, would people recommend leaving a SS amp on permanently? Could I damage my amp by doing this?
drewyou
stltrains
845 posts
 
my nuforce ref 9 se amps stay on all of the time. no problems
schipo
1,267 posts
 
I will say that it is possible for a switch that is turned on and off will eventually give out.
kschiu
73 posts
 
Warming up does matter; but then, after 30min to 1 hour of warming up, things should settle. Leaving it for 24/7 should not be necessary.

Afterall, please do our poor planet a favour. Those mega muscle amps burn a few hundred watts when idling.
thomasedison
34 posts
 
I can see how it will not harm components to turn them on and off. But I am curious about the following:

How long does it take the average solid state system to 'warm up' and sound its best?

Will it shorten their life to leave them on 24/7?

And how much electricity is used when they are on but idle?
chadnliz's avatar
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
I leave mine on all time and have for years, and I dont care about the Green movement. All the Liberal tree huggers do is just buy Carbon Credits that dont mean anything, its like going to confession....you can do whatever you want as long as somebody clears you of your "sins".
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