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
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,753 posts
 
I warm my amps up in Standby. With no B+ on the power tubes, they last a lot longer.
user140
35 posts
 
My DACs and Players I leave on all the time. Most DACs I have play best after a week, so there is not much choice here.
But I am unsure about my tube A class amp, it needs 2 hours to sound full (maybe after more it goes even better, didn't test that). It has 9 tubes, draws constantly almost 300W and runs very hot. Now I don't care much about tube lifespan (I even believe on all the time is better for them, than 5x on/off per day!) or electricity bills, but about getting the darn house on fire or breaking this high end capacitors. It is so annoying needing to wait 2 hours for a proper listening session. I think I will get myself $1k++ power conditioner (should help when something bad happens with amp??) and just leave it on all the time except when travelling... Just not sure about the room temperatures when comming home after work when this thing was on.
tellefsen
73 posts
 
Putting the energy consumption issue to the side here is something to consider in terms of component reliability. I have had two sources tell me that electronic component lifetime is related to the number of power cycles (on/off). This came from discussions with a supercomputer designer as well as discussion with a speaker manufacturer on the topic of crossover design. I would guess that slow start circuits could also reduce the impact of on/off power cycles to a degree. Of course leaving a component powered up all the time does not make sense for a tube amp with the power tube life issues and heat.
  Personally I leave my TRL Dude preamp and Samson monoblocks on all the time unless I leave on vacation.
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,735 posts
 
never turn my gear off but turn volume down when not in use and unplug power strip during tstorm.
erik_squires
16,008 posts
 
I do. I came home after having them off for a weekend, and the sound was pretty hard for two days. Learned my lesson.

However, I run fairly power friendly. Right now it's just my Mytek Brooklyn and a pair of Class D amps, plus the music PC

Best,

E
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