2. amps-preamps
  3. 125493-1264

Amps and Preamps has standby, but should I turn them completely off?

Hi guys, I know there has been discussions of this and the overall consensus seems to be leaving the Solid State amps / preamps on (or standby). I have a Parasound A51 that runs pretty hot. The heat sinks are hot to touch after running them for 2 hours. Ever since I move them to the 2nd floor (gets hot in the summer), I worry that they'd run too hot so I turn them completely off (by switching off the surge protector) after each use. Note that standby mode doesn't solve the heat issue -- it still generates a significant amount of excess heat. 

My question is:
1. Does turning them off after each use shorten their life?
2. Does turning them off increase the probability of failure?
3. Does the excessive heat damage them in the long run by leaving them on?

I am not too worried about warm up time because I use them 2-3 times a week tops. I just don't want the excess heat on the 2nd floor since it's already much warmer than the 1st floor. 

Thanks!!
angelgz2

Showing 4 responses by timlub

timlub
2,043 posts
 

Sorry...

2. See Number 1

3. Excessive heat can damage anything electronic.  Pure Class A really produces heat.... I had an extremely modified old Sumo Nine, it is Pure Class a, Meaning no sliding bias or current and it stayed in Class A at all power levels regardless of impedance... This thing could fry an egg... I vented it and changed the fan and still left it on... Until my house was struck by lightening,  it was great.

timlub
2,043 posts
 

1. It Can, depends on usage....

My experience that the thing that makes things like filter caps go out is constant cycling... they will actually last longer if never turned off.  If seldom used, turning them off will increase life,  if used everyday???

2. See

timlub
2,043 posts
 

Hi kijanki,

     As much as what you quote overall is true.  I have found that when large filter caps are getting old,  that switching them on and off very much affect their life span.  When they get old,  keeping them charged helps keep electrolyte from leaking and they maintain their spec very closely.  Once a cap degrades to a certain condition,  it is then that cycling them can damage them.  I hope this makes sense.  Tim

timlub
2,043 posts
 

Hi kijanki,

     I am only speaking from personal experience and the way my feeble brain see's it.  I've been around a whole bunch of Amps being built and modified in my time and have developed my perceptions. 

When caps are charged and the electrolyte is active within them it somewhat pressurizes the inside of the cap.  This pressure helps maintain the seal along with the electrolyte keeping the seal from drying out.

The problem comes when a cap is powered down and seals weaken.... I have seen caps leak.. or even explode when suddenly powered up. It is for this reason that on very old gear that hasn't been run that we always have brought their voltage up slowly on a variac to reform the caps and to protect the amp. It has been a problem is a few brands.... I believe that Mark Levinson had this problem at one time.  

Again,  this is simply my feeble perception... I'm a speaker guy.

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