2. amps-preamps
  3. 135898-112562

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?
vinylfan62
soix
10,179 posts
 
Like others I leave mine on unless I'm leaving for at least a few days.  Warm-up time was definitely part of my reason, but I had another reason that may or may not be valid so maybe an engineering type or someone more knowledgeable can chime in here?  I noticed that light bulbs and a TV of mine died immediately by turning them on.  My uneducated guess was that the initial surge of current puts more strain on a component (maybe the power supply in particular?) along with the continual heating and cooling of all the electronics.  So I thought leaving my system on all the time may actually increase its life by cumulatively reducing stress on it rather than turning it on and off almost every day.  Was I completely off base?  Will prematurely wearing out certain parts (capacitors, etc.) outweigh any benefits from leaving a system on?  Always wondered about this, and thanks for any thoughts.  

o_holter
980 posts
 
I left the Aesthetix Io on all the time - since the sound is best, fully warmed up - but it was probably not a good idea. The time plus heat factor led to repairs. Now, I turn all my tube components off and on, even if I have to wait an hour for good sound.
timlub
2,043 posts
 
I have already commented on my solid state gear. (I don't turn it off)  I I now have all SS gear, but Tubes in the past, I did turn off after each use, I did try to give them 30 minutes to 2 hours warm up before use.
xrayz
105 posts
 
My SS integrated amp is always on standby, but it still takes 20-25 minutes to sound it's best.
trelja
3,226 posts
 
@david12 "it's not often raised as an issue, fire risk. There is an awful lot of high voltage kit in a hifi system. It shorts out and your house is toast."

That's actually the one and only reason I turn off my power / integrated amplifiers, and sometimes, my preamplifiers.  No concern about the electricity, cost, tube wear, etc., just worry about the potential catastrophe.  Well, now that I write this, I have very home insurance, hmmm....
More to discover