Order to Shut out or Light on a System?

Start with the source components and work your way through the system, turning on amps last. By using this sequence, you will prevent any pops (or other electrical "events") from being amplified and possibly damaging your speakers.

Reverse this order when shutting the system down - start with the amps and work backwards.

I used to have a big problem remembering to do this right, but I solved it by buying an inexpensive Adcom ACE-515, which, in addition to providing a bunch of 115VAC outlets, also sequences them properly. The ACE-515 keeps high current switching out of the preamp...it just uses the preamp switching to pick up a relay in the ACE-515. Actually I use the power amp outlets to pick up relays that turn on the dedicated ac power lines that I have run to the remotely located power amps.

I always turn amps 'ON' last and 'OFF' first.