2. digital
  3. 176600-80783

Turn off or leave on?

I am curious to know what others are doing with respect to powering on/off their hifi systems. My system like most is a mix of tube and SS components: tube gear (mono amps, preamp, and phono). SS gear consists of (SACD/CD player, DAC, server, and external clock) and I have a conventional DC powered motor for my LP player.  On days when I know I will listen to music, I turn it all on and leave it on until I go to bed at which time I turn it all off. I have read that it is better to leave SS components on (limit the number of temperature swings associated with powering up) and only power down tube gear (extend tube life).  Many of the components have power saving features so they shutdown after an inactive period but that is more of a sleep mode as I understand it and not the same as a true power down.  Not to complicate the question further, all the amps are hybrid so they have in effect both tubes and transistors  My SS gear is a dCS Vivaldi One plus external Vivaldi clock, server is Taiko Extreme, and my amps are all from Tenor Audio. LP player is AMG 12 that uses a typical external DC motor always left on and powered up.

besonic
denverfred's avatar
denverfred
252 posts
 

All solid state gear should be left ON all the time. That's their happy zone.

My domestic keeper has tried over and over to find enough excess electricity usage to make the case against power-on but has failed miserably.

wyoboy
261 posts
 

My Aesthetix gear specifically instructs to turn off when not in use--i presume to preserve tube life. I'm curious whether other manufacturers give instructions on this as well ?  If they don't i would contact them and ask them.

bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,195 posts
 

Just received an Esoteric K-03XD SACD Player.  The manual is very clear.  When not in use, turn off.  Can't be more plain than that.  

mcintech
128 posts
 

Audio repair since 1985, and can tell almost immediately whether a SS power amp is left on 24/7 or turned off. (If over 5 years old).

 

Especially telling on gear made AFTER RoHS in 2006, when lead was taken from solder.

I say turn them off when not in use, even the power supplies of SS gear get worn from simply being on (electrolytic capacitors and solder work)

lous's avatar
lous
203 posts
 

NEVER leave tube equipment on unattended. I leave my fussy Yggdrasil DAC on 24 x 7, but expect to be replacing it with a Lampizator after 6 years of faithful service. I don't leave my Levinson amp on though due to power consumption. All electronics with electrolytic capacitors should be used rather regularly to slow their degradation. The electrolyte eats the foil when left idle for long periods. A well designed circuit should be fine running 24 x 7 assuming good quality components without defects were used.  Honestly though, it's generally fine to leave solid state gear running, but you never know, it's a bit of a gamble. Additionally if there are going to be thunder storms ideally you should shut down and disconnect all electrical/electronical devices when you expect thunder storms. I don't,but I know that I should. Don't expect power strips to do much, they often react too slowly.

More to discover