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Adcom 555se on a smart strip?

I'm thinking about a used Adcom 555se to power my new Ohm Walsh 4000s as recommended by John and Evan. This amp doesn't have a 12v trigger. My stereo "area" is the living room and the preamp will sit in the built-in cabinets next to the fireplace. I don't really want to put a high powered amp in the cabinet for ventilation reasons, so the basement seems like a good choice (and save space in the cabinets for more LPs). With no 12v trigger to power the amp on/off, I was thinking about having the preamp plugged into the control outlet of a smart power strip, and the amp plugged into one of the switched outlets. This will of course work for powering on, but I'm concerned about powering off. When powering off the preamp which will happen first, will it create a pop sound before the amp gets shut off? 

If this smart strip is a viable way to go in this situation, the used 555se will be a great cost savings. If not, I'll start looking at the Adcom 575se or maybe the Parasound A21+. 

Thanks guys and gals.
keysrawk
gdnrbob
4,460 posts
 
@OP,
First, you turn on the system Preamp first then amp. Reverse when turning off. That way you don't get the turn on 'bump'.
As far as power strips go, I don't recommend them for high power demanding equipment like amplifiers.
I owned the original 555 amp and it never got 'that' hot, but if your cabinet has no ventilation then, maybe, put it on top or on the floor?
Bob
rhljazz
1,255 posts
 
I looked up the specs for the Adcom 555se and it is specified at consuming 72w at idle.  So depending on frugality, you could leave it powered on continuously.
By comparison, my W4S ST500 consumes 28w at idle.  I leave it powered on all the time.  The preamp in that system is a Manley Shrimp and I never receive any noise when the preamp is switched on or off.
So, that’s an option to consider.
Doing the math for 72w continuous for a month yields roughly 52kwh consumed. Electric rates vary, but let’s use 22 cents per kWh which would cost you $11.44 per month whereas an ST500 would run $4.44 per month.  These figures are idle consumption only.  The more you play, the more you pay.
Class D is more efficient while playing as well.  
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,636 posts
 
My PS Audio seperates turn off simultaneously.
No noise. 13W idle 29W LOUD.
rcprince
3,076 posts
 
Normally, like gdnrbob, I'd advise against the power strip because it can limit the power draw from the amp.  Adcom used to make a unit called the ACE 515 (not sure of the model number, but I owned one), which had outlets for both sources and amplifiers, and (if memory serves correctly) also provided for powering preamp on first with power amp afterward, and powering the amp off before the preamp.  You might look to see if you could find one of those, it worked fine for me in a second system with an Adcom amp and NAD preamp.  
rhljazz
1,255 posts
 
Fuzztone, Class D is 90% + efficient while playing.  So if your consumption is only 29w when perceived as loud, the output to the speakers is probably around 25w.  That’s a very friendly setup on your electric bill.
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