Mrowlands: Good point. I use a Musical Fidelity X-A1 integrated amp in a guest bedroom system (also where we keep the computer) and it idles in Class A, though it switches to Class A/B at 3-5 watts output. I now turn this amp off (when not in use) even though it does not sound as good this way in order to conserve energy (we live in the LA area). I did keep this amp on 7/24 for approx. six weeks to burn in various cables and this practice was very evident on our power bills. We do not use air conditioning and such and our electrical usage is generaly the same each month. Around January we started using night lights (instead of keeping the kitchen light on at night and such) and also turn the computer off each evening, when we go to sleep. These are little things that all add up. I do leave all of the digital components on 7/24 as I feel like I have wasted my investment when I listen to them cold, but they seem to draw very little current and the amp in the main system is tube, which gets turned off when it will not be used for a couple of hours or so (I also have somewhat of a set listening schedule based on my wife's activities and both of us are home most of the time). In the good old days everything was left powered up 7/24. Anyway, other than just worrying about the gear I recommend that all power usage be given a look at which includes reajusting the wattage of incandescent light bulbs being used in various locations and anything else that can be thought of. Most flourescent fixtures use as much energy starting up each time as they do running for 4-6 hours (study done by the Des Moines, IA school district in the 60's, as I recall).