2. amps-preamps
  3. 125493-1264

Amps and Preamps has standby, but should I turn them completely off?

Hi guys, I know there has been discussions of this and the overall consensus seems to be leaving the Solid State amps / preamps on (or standby). I have a Parasound A51 that runs pretty hot. The heat sinks are hot to touch after running them for 2 hours. Ever since I move them to the 2nd floor (gets hot in the summer), I worry that they'd run too hot so I turn them completely off (by switching off the surge protector) after each use. Note that standby mode doesn't solve the heat issue -- it still generates a significant amount of excess heat. 

My question is:
1. Does turning them off after each use shorten their life?
2. Does turning them off increase the probability of failure?
3. Does the excessive heat damage them in the long run by leaving them on?

I am not too worried about warm up time because I use them 2-3 times a week tops. I just don't want the excess heat on the 2nd floor since it's already much warmer than the 1st floor. 

Thanks!!
angelgz2
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
Al,
The explained tradeofss in this thread easily compensated by owner's convenience and smaller electrical bill not only from audio power outlet, but from climate control unit as well.

If you're worried too much on healthy life and dieting as per analogy, there are also always trade-offs. I'm holding in my left hand fresh smoothie made of fresh berries and fruits not too long ago picked from farm and no sugar added; my right hand however is holding extremely tasty and sweet muffin that maybe for sure fat and having LOTs of sugar. Together it's called balance.

CHEERS!
gs5556
1,255 posts
 
Your amplifier has a soft start circuit which limits the current inrush through the power supply. Therefore there is no problem cycling the amp on and off as needed. 
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,479 posts
 
Czarivey, life of capacitor is reduced by factor of two for every 10degC increase over temperature that life of capacitor was specified by manufacturer.  For instance capacitor rated 5k hours at 85degC will last 2.5k hours at 95degC 1.25k hours at 105degC etc, but also 10k hours at 75degC, 20k hours at 65degC, 40k hours at 55degC.  At 25degC (room temperature) it would be 320k hours (37 years).  Different manufacturers define end of life differently but often it is 200% of rated ESR.  When capacitor dries out ESR  (equivalent series resistance) increases.  Increase of ESR produces, with electric current, increase in temperature.  Increase in temperature produces increase in ESR leading to avalanche effect and explosion. 
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
So the life in my class D amp is practically infinite. It runs perhaps at 30 Celcius tops.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,479 posts
 
Czarivey,  will you last 40+ years?

More to discover