I have found that a long time on IS better. After 24 hours or so, the sound is more open, greater detail, more 'air' around instuments in soundstage.
The downside is that if one is not home and a failure occurs, one could have a fire (smoke detectors help) However, no power amp tube equipment should be left on unattended.. It is way more likely to possibly blow and start a fire than non-tube stuff. (but even tube amps are pretty safe. Though tales of tube pyrotechnics and fires are out there)
I do dispute that equipment left on has a shorter lifespan. The usual solid state product will not have any problem being left on 24/7/365. I even leave on a tube preamp I use as a digital buffer, 24/7 though it definitely will have a shorter tube life doing so. (it is in a sealed case,and if a fire started inside, would die out in a short time for lack of oxygen)
Another downside, if an electrical problem from A/C or lightning happens, more likely to toast the products, (but if items plugged in and turned off will STILL be toast, I use power conditioners with lightning protectors. The Furman REF 20i I own had a $100,000. guarantee to protect equipment for the first 5 years!!)
I used to leave all on, and now only turn off the amplifier for the powersavings, and NOT for any other reason. (And I leave the amp on some of the time anyway, for days at a time.)
So benefit: better air, better HF sound in general.
Downside: A/C power wasted. (My system uses about $25. of electricity a month, whole thing being left on 24/7, if it was all turned off when not in use, i would be spending $15 a month less. The $15 a month I would be spending a LOT more for some diddley tweak that did something as good as leaving it all on.
Lastly, the idea that equipment left on (at least all solid state stuff) wears out faster if left on is not true
The downside is that if one is not home and a failure occurs, one could have a fire (smoke detectors help) However, no power amp tube equipment should be left on unattended.. It is way more likely to possibly blow and start a fire than non-tube stuff. (but even tube amps are pretty safe. Though tales of tube pyrotechnics and fires are out there)
I do dispute that equipment left on has a shorter lifespan. The usual solid state product will not have any problem being left on 24/7/365. I even leave on a tube preamp I use as a digital buffer, 24/7 though it definitely will have a shorter tube life doing so. (it is in a sealed case,and if a fire started inside, would die out in a short time for lack of oxygen)
Another downside, if an electrical problem from A/C or lightning happens, more likely to toast the products, (but if items plugged in and turned off will STILL be toast, I use power conditioners with lightning protectors. The Furman REF 20i I own had a $100,000. guarantee to protect equipment for the first 5 years!!)
I used to leave all on, and now only turn off the amplifier for the powersavings, and NOT for any other reason. (And I leave the amp on some of the time anyway, for days at a time.)
So benefit: better air, better HF sound in general.
Downside: A/C power wasted. (My system uses about $25. of electricity a month, whole thing being left on 24/7, if it was all turned off when not in use, i would be spending $15 a month less. The $15 a month I would be spending a LOT more for some diddley tweak that did something as good as leaving it all on.
Lastly, the idea that equipment left on (at least all solid state stuff) wears out faster if left on is not true