does amp draw alot of power when volume is zero

With a Class D amp; the output devices are turned off(no bias), until a signal is detected= high efficiency/low temps/low current draw at idle. Class A has full bias applied to outputs, ALL the time= low efficiency/lots of heat/high current draw at idle.

Agree with Magfan on the Kill A Watt; it has many other uses apart from audio.

Purchased mine at Radio Shack.

Tswei,
Bel Canto uses B&O ICE modules. I don't know how many changes / upgrades are made.
However, the B&O data sheet says efficiency is in the 80%s at full power. Lower efficiency at lower powers. This is 'plug to speaker'
My ASP moduled PSAudio is cool even at high powers....but if I close the cabinet, it CAN get warm, even at the few paltry watts I draw under normal conditions.

Bel Canto publishes the idle power draw in the owners manual, as do many other manufacturers. Their current integrated (s300i) idles at 15 watts. I would leave it on 24/7.

Y'know, if you are concerned about power usage, its really a good idea to turn the stuff off when you are not using it.

I've been interested in solar power for a long time. I was shocked (hah! pun intended) to find out that the length of time it is on often plays a bigger role than how much power it draws.

It is a fact with audio that the hotter stuff often sounds better, as heat is being traded for lower distortion. So if you base a system entirely on heat generation, be prepared that the results may not be aligned with 'best sound for the money'.