I used to leave my equipment on 24/7.The digital is still on 24/7 but the amp now is in stand by mode when not listening.Reason,s? amp is pass x350
1. I changed the wiring to 35 amp fuses with 8 g. braided and in doing so the amp run,s hotter. I talked to peter at pass and while there position on the 35 amps is ok and well not effect the amp they recomended i turn the amp back to stand by mode when not listening.
2. while pass made this recommendation i well stick to it for any future melt down well be covered by warranty.
3. Yes ss. gear left on does sound better? or is it the mood we are in when listening which is then subjective.
Has alway,s everybody has different experiences, But more importantly set up is critical, the foundation and tweaking of one,s system well have huge differences in sound reporduction over the same equipment just plug in play mode.
Has does cables, there is no strick guidlines i beleive. In other word,s the most unusual tweak well yeild the biggest improvement when one does not expect anything to happen, but that goes back to what mood is one in at the time and time of day for best electricity to your system.
I do beleive this, if you get into this hobby and buy the better equipment, and not get the best associated goodies then you are wasting your money , or better yet go buy a sony juke box.
steve