Leave solid state amps on? Or turn off everytime?

"If we all went with battery powered amps, none of this would matter ;)"

But what would become of the batteries once they have to be replaced or can't be recharged anymore? ;) j/k

As to a response from a EE - here it is - When power is first applied to a circuit,or cut off, all sorts of transient events occur that never reoccur as long a the system is on. Very high currents and voltages are present that die out quickly. Even aside from the thermal changes that everyone is concerned with, once a steady state is reached there isn't a whole lot of difference in the stress on the components that if the system was off. For this reason, you probably will extend the life of the individual circuit components by leaving a system on all the time - more true with solid state than tubes.

you probably will extend the life of the individual circuit components by leaving a system on all the time - more true with solid state than tubes.
Musicnoise (Threads | Answers)

In practical terms, how long are we talking?

For example, if the life of a solid state amplifier that's turned on and off is 20 years (pulling the number out of the air here...), then how much longer would it last if it was left on 24/7?

I know there are solid state receivers from the 70s that are still going strong today, 30+ years later.

For an audiophile who typically swaps out gear every five years or so, does the extended life have any real meaning?

Musicnoise - Power-up transients don't do more harm to electrolytic caps than constant ripple current, but increase by merely 10 degrees Celsius of temperature inside will cut capacitors life by half. I addition we won't be able to unplug during thunderstorm when we are not at home.

Tvad - In practical terms - it really doesn't matter. You will extend the life by leaving the system on, but, as with most questions that come up on this site - it is likely a meaningless difference. Well designed solid state equipment lasts a long time. As to your example - you may only get 40 years out of an amp that you turn on and off everyday - but get a whole 41 years out of the equipment if you leave it on all the time. What is most likely to wear out will be electromechanical components - for eg. a power on relay. Transformers, transistors, resistors and, despite everyones obsession - caps both electrolytic and otherwise, will outlast the em components. I too have seen an awful lot of equipment that was around unrepaired and unmodified for decades.