Do you keep your amp powered on ?

dekuda
dekuda Posts: 756
edited August 2009 in Electronics
I was told that it is best for the life of a amplifier to leave it powered on all of the time. Is this true
HT System
Parasound Halo A51 Amp, Marantz AV 8003 Pre, Arcam FMJ CD36 cd player, Marantz 7007 BD/SACD player,Acoustic Zen Matrix IC's, Analysis Plus Crystal Copper Oval IC's, Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables, B&W 703's Fronts, Center Martin Logan Motif hybrid, Surrounds DefTech BPX, 2 X DefTech Supercube Reference Subs, DSpeaker Antimode 8033 EQ.
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited August 2009
    Solid state yes, tube no.
    Truck setup
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    heiney9 wrote: »
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited August 2009
    kawizx9r wrote: »
    Solid state yes, tube no.

    Agreed, I leave my Mono-Blocs on!
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,795
    edited August 2009
    Yep. SS on all the time. Little tuber, no. I just give it a few minutes to warm up.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited August 2009
    When I had ss I left my Odyssey Mono's on,, now they are gone,,I have tubed amps,and no,,only powered up if I'm gonna use em'.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Refefer
    Refefer Posts: 1,280
    edited August 2009
    Interesting about that. I typically leave my amp off, but give it a good 1/2 an hour to 'loosen its caps' before giving it a listen.
    Lovin that music year after year.

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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited August 2009
    always on and in standby mode
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • dekuda
    dekuda Posts: 756
    edited August 2009
    Sounds unanimous! leave solid state ones on all the time. Is there actually a standby mode or does it depend on the manufacture of the amp?
    HT System
    Parasound Halo A51 Amp, Marantz AV 8003 Pre, Arcam FMJ CD36 cd player, Marantz 7007 BD/SACD player,Acoustic Zen Matrix IC's, Analysis Plus Crystal Copper Oval IC's, Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables, B&W 703's Fronts, Center Martin Logan Motif hybrid, Surrounds DefTech BPX, 2 X DefTech Supercube Reference Subs, DSpeaker Antimode 8033 EQ.
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,795
    edited August 2009
    A few companies build amps that have a standby mode to keep the rails warmed up.
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  • w_coyote
    w_coyote Posts: 66
    edited August 2009
    ok i've got to ask cuz i really hate being stupid. why leave it on all the time? doesn't it just use power for no apparent reason which would shorten the life of the componets and increase your power bill. i have a adcom 5503 and i've been turning it off at night. from what i've been reading this is something i shouldn't be doing. thanks
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,795
    edited August 2009
    ^^ Caps are somewhat like incadescent light bulbs. If you leave them on, they will burn for a very long time. But if you turn them on and turn them off daily, their life is shortened. The expansion and subsequent contraction of the filament creates a weak point.
    Just keep your Adcom warmed up. The capacitors will thank you for it.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,182
    edited August 2009
    Very interesting...I always turn my SS off but never thought much about it...
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,241
    edited August 2009
    Conradicles wrote: »
    Very interesting...I always turn my SS off but never thought much about it...
    Yup, me too ... the capacitors seem to be an important component, so it makes sense to be nice to them. Do amplifiers with standby mode help maintain the lifespan of the capacitors anyway?
    Alea jacta est!
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited August 2009
    w_coyote wrote: »
    why leave it on all the time?
    Generally SS amps need some warm up time for their optimium temp to be reached and bias current stabilized.This doesn't apply to Class D units as there is no standing bias current so don't need a warm up period.Paradoxically,while they are the ones to least benifit from keeping them on, they are the ones that will draw the least amount of current if left on.
    doesn't it just use power for no apparent reason
    Yes but with exception of Class A designs ,amps will draw far less current at idle.
    which would shorten the life of the componets .
    Some might argue that the repeated cycles of heating up and cooling down when turning it on and off may also shorten the life span of some components.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,795
    edited August 2009
    Conradicles wrote: »
    Very interesting...I always turn my SS off but never thought much about it...
    Remember when I brought the Denon to your house? It sounded better after running some current through it.
    Eric, never turn that amp off.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,182
    edited August 2009
    lightman1 wrote: »
    Remember when I brought the Denon to your house? It sounded better after running some current through it.
    Eric, never turn that amp off.

    But it puts out so much heat, that to me just seems wrong to leave it on all the time.:confused:
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,241
    edited August 2009
    I'm hot, and people leave me on all the time ...

    Sorry guys, just messin'!
    Alea jacta est!
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  • Hilbert
    Hilbert Posts: 316
    edited August 2009
    Hate to seem dense, but it's maybe worth it to clear up this point. Is "standby" the same as "on", as far as prolonging capacitor life is concerned?

    I'm in the habit of leaving my xpa-5 in standby when not listening. Is this damaging the capacitors?

    We have a lot of thunderstorms here and I'm antsy about leaving expensive electronics plugged in and on 24/7.

    thanks to whoever answers...
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,795
    edited August 2009
    Conradicles wrote: »
    But it puts out so much heat, that to me just seems wrong to leave it on all the time.:confused:
    It's nothing to worry about. Just keep it where you have it and it'll be just fine. It will run hot.
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  • slack56
    slack56 Posts: 68
    edited August 2009
    Your carbon footprint is greater if you leave your equipment on. By the time you wear out that SS equipment you will be ready to buy new stuff anyway. How much more pollution would we create if we all left our amps on? What a waste. Go solar or wind power and light up your whole house if you like. But if that coal fired plant is what you rely on turn it off when not in use.

    G
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,795
    edited August 2009
    Kex wrote: »
    I'm hot, and people leave me on all the time ...

    Sorry guys, just messin'!
    Yes you are, Carrol, yes you are....
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited August 2009
    Hilbert wrote: »
    . Is this damaging the capacitors?
    No
    We have a lot of thunderstorms here and I'm antsy about leaving expensive electronics plugged in and on 24/7.
    I like to unplug gear when a T storm is approaching, cheap surge protectors won't save them from a direct hit.
    Testing
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,795
    edited August 2009
    slack56 wrote: »
    Your carbon footprint is greater if you leave your equipment on. By the time you wear out that SS equipment you will be ready to buy new stuff anyway. How much more pollution would we create if we all left our amps on? What a waste. Go solar or wind power and light up your whole house if you like. But if that coal fired plant is what you rely on turn it off when not in use.

    G
    Building a windmill as we speak. Thanks for opening my eyes to the fact that my one amp is killing the world.
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited August 2009
    lightman1 wrote: »
    Building a windmill as we speak. Thanks for opening my eyes to the fact that my one amp is killing the world.

    Actually Lightman, you are farting too much and releasing dangerous Methane Gas into the air which is accounted directly for Global Warming and not even to mention major cause of poor air quality near your neighborhood. :D
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,182
    edited August 2009
    Man for a minute we had Russ talking audio...
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  • slack56
    slack56 Posts: 68
    edited August 2009
    Throw in a couple of million more amps and what do you have? No ozone layer. Better wear more sunscreen.

    G
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited August 2009
    I turned off all stereo and HT components including amps that I don't use daily.

    Some power amps in 2 channel setup, I let them warm up 4-5 minutes before playing.

    This is with SS gears. Tubes Poweramp needs to be on for 15-30 minutes before playing.

    When at night, I turned off every components I don't likely use them on daily basis.
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,182
    edited August 2009
    Hilbert wrote: »
    Is "standby" the same as "on",

    I'd like to know the answer to this as well...
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  • joeparaski
    joeparaski Posts: 1,865
    edited August 2009
    I'd be concerned leaving amps on all the time, especially if you have older vintage amps. I had one blow up my 3.1tl's and it wasn't even playing, it was just "on". I now shut everything off when not in use.

    Joe
    Amplifiers: 1-SAE Mark IV, 4-SAE 2400, 1-SAE 2500, 2-SAE 2600, 1-Buttkicker BKA 1000N w/2-tactile transducers. Sources: Sony BDP CX7000es, Sony CX300/CX400/CX450/CX455, SAE 8000 tuner, Akai 4000D R2R, Technics 1100A TT, Epson 8500UB with Carada 100". Speakers:Polk SDA SRS, 3.1TL, FXi5, FXi3, 2-SVS 20-29, Yamaha, SVS center sub. Power:2-Monster HTS3500, Furman M-8D & RR16 Plus. 2-SAE 4000 X-overs, SAE 5000a noise reduction, MSB Link DAC III, MSB Powerbase, Behringer 2496, Monarchy DIP 24/96.
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,795
    edited August 2009
    megasat16 wrote: »
    Actually Lightman, you are farting too much and releasing dangerous Methane Gas into the air which is accounted directly for Global Warming and not even to mention major cause of poor air quality near your neighborhood. :D
    I wondered why my neighbors moved and nobody else moved in. Thanks for clearing that up.
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,795
    edited August 2009
    Conradicles wrote: »
    Man for a minute we had Russ talking audio...
    Damn near it! And then I backed off.;)
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