LAK is correct, regarding burning of interconnects, because the input impedence(LOAD) is the same, whether the power amp is turned on or off. re: Speaker cables- The more volume and bass; the faster the burn-in. If you connect one speaker out of phase with the other(reverse +/- at the speaker terminals), face them at each other, and place them close together; some of the sound will be cancelled out. A receiver will work fine. Do it 24/7, with a Rap station(if you can stand it), with the bass control on the receiver turned up. 200 hours does it for most cables/interconnects.