Amp — Leave on or turn off


I always turned my Benchmark AHB2 amp off after use every night. After all, why is there an on off switch on the front panel if not to do that? Last night I accidentally left it on. This morning, when I played my first record, I couldn’t believe my ears. The same record I played last night sounded infinitely better. I tried a second record and that, too, was much better.
I know there’s a debate on the question of leaving an amp on all the time.
I now know where I stand!

128x128rvpiano

Class D / on 24/7

Class A / off

RVPiano - are you aware the Benchmark can be set for auto shutdown 

after 45 minutes of sensing no audio signal? Also the Benchmark handbook 

states that due to the SMPS power supply the amp is at its full potential the moment it is turned on. 

Both my Hegel H390 and my PS Audio gear all stay in standby mode until I wake them up. Both take less than an hour to sound great.

@kckrs In my experience, Class A/AB also on 24/7 unless traveling. We really should follow the mfr recommendations. And if you bought used, the manual is available online.

Hello Hickamore

The manual on my FW F3 from Nelson Pass 

states - "I do not personally see a reason to run the amplifier

all the time, but you can do that if you want to ".

"Also, at 200 watts it makes economic sense to shut

the amplifier off if you aren't planning on using

it for the rest of the day".

I'm sure this recommendation follows on my F5

and XA25. All of course running in full Class A.

@bigtwin -- Amen.

 

Other members that have chimed in know a lot more than I do, but the only thing I would add is this...If you do plan on leaving your electrical components on 24/7, make sure your Homeowners Insurance Policy is paid each month and hope that a Fire Department station is near your house.  As some of us unfortunatley know, sh*t happens.