I leave the preamp on all the time unless I'm going away. The Schitt Mani and Modi Multibit also stay on constantly. The amp gets turned on when I'm listening. The reason I turn it off is because a transient or amp failure could have me coming home to a set of blown Martin Logans.
Does anyone leave their amp and preamp on all the time?
I listen most nights after work. I find that the system takes a while to warm up and sounds it's best if it has been shut off. So I leave it on. I always have and this is vintage stuff. The amp is a 25/25 Bedini class A. It stays warm but never hot. It has never caused an issue but recently I've been speaking with others that were stunned that I would do this. So let me know if I'm the only one that lets it run. Do you shut off the equipment after each session?
- ...
- 104 posts total
When there’s a convenient On and Off switch—no. It only takes about 20 seconds for the tubes to warm up where the system is playable even if it’s not "optimal", and I suspect it’s about the same on most systems. If I’m not directly listening, I consider it an unnecessary waste of energy, and I’m paying for it, society is paying for it, with its impact on the power grid, as minor as that might seem—it's cumulative among different households. I also turn out lights in any room I’m not in. I consider expensive high-powered amps a luxury rather than a necessity, and I feel better when using energy responsibly. |
The issues you'll run into are primarily reduced longevity of certain electrical components. Unless it's been upgraded, your Bedini 25/25 has electrolytic capacitors in the circuit, which contain a liquid electrolyte inside that eventually dries out. Lifespan is dependent on usage, operating temperatures and quality of the cap. This person had to replace them in 2013 on his Bedini to fix a humming issue. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/repair-of-bedini-amp So, if you don't mind the increased costs associated with the convenience of keeping your equipment running all the time, it is really up to you. I keep my stuff on if I am going to be around for a while, turn it off when I know I'll be gone or unable to listen for a while. |
Vitus Integrated amp stays on in Class AB all the time. I listen in class A then switch to class AB after listening. It takes hours to sound at its best from cold if I move it to standby. Vitus CDP/DAC is on all the time too. I leave all the components (pre/power and CDP) on in the the secondary Naim system at all times too. This system has been switched on continually for 20 years! |
- 104 posts total