2. amps-preamps
  3. 193330-168972

Thoughts on using a smart plug on intergrated amp.

I listen to music mostly at night before bed. My intergrated amp doesn't have a signal sense and doesn't turn off after music stops playing so when I wake up in the middle of the night I shut it off. What are your thoughts of using a smart plug on the amp so I can set a sleep timer? What effect if any will it have on the audio? Will it cause any issues to the amp by turning power on/off this way?

rbull11
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,509 posts
 

Amps can draw lots of current so proceed with caution.  Try it and see. 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
jeffbij
68 posts
 

Here is one thing you can try. 

(This is assuming two things.  1) that the integrated amp has a normal power switch and not a soft start switch and 2) does not have a 12v trigger in/on)

  • Start with a good power strip or power conditioner that has a 12v on/off trigger built in.
  • Plug the integrated amp into the strip/conditioner above
  • Plug a 12v wall wart/power supply into the smart plug and the leads to the 12v trigger in.  It can be a cheap one as you only need voltage to engage the trigger.
  • Plug the smart plug into the wall.
  • Then you can use the smart plug to trigger the integrated on/off 

You can also do this with with some power conditioners that allow some of the outlets to be controlled independly and plug the smart plug into one outlet on the conditioner, which is always on, and run a cord from there to the trigger for another outlet.  I have used an older Monster Power home theater conditioner this way for non-critical equipment to turn equipment on and off with voice commands.  You can find the Monster Power's on eBay for >$100.

-Jeff

 

 

 

ghdprentice
7,337 posts
 

Is your system a high end audio system or a good sounding audio system. If the later... using a switched plug is probably OK. But I feel very comfortable in going out on a limb and saying it is definitely going to compromise the sound quality of a high end audio system. 

 

Provided it is not a tube amp, there probably isn't any downside to leaving it on unless it is a monster Class A amp. 

erik_squires
16,412 posts
 

I think they are small and cheap and if you can’t hear it you can’t hear it.

This is the brand I use. You can even schedule it to turn itself off at specific times or events like sunrise/sunset.

I don't have one on my listening gear per se, but I have about 14 switches and smart plugs around the house and I definitely can't hear them degrade the sound.  If anything, compared to the old school dimmer switches I think they are a lot quieter physically and electrically.

More to discover