Do you leave your components on 24/7?

From a safety and efficiency point of view for electronics, it is not good to leave anything on all the time unattended. It makes no sense whatsoever despite what people tell you. First a well broken in piece of equipment will be ready in about 15 minutes, and in this case, if a person can't turn it out first, do something for 15 minutes (like get a book or a good glass of wine, etc.) then that person really doesn't have time to listen anyway. Second, life of tube equipment or solid state for that matter degenerates quickly by leaving it on for long periods of time. It is funny how people wouldn't think twice about turning off all the lights and other components when not in use, but it is perfectly okay (for them) to leave massive amps and electronics on. For tube equipment, the tubes have a very finite life time, which will be eaten up very quickly if left on. For solid state, they also have a life cycle. But,the most important thing, is that it really doesn't take long to warm up equipment. So, save electricity and do it when you are ready to listen. to each their own. However, for me, 15 minutes and my system is ready to go and quite honestly, it sounds wonderful immediately after turning it on. I need time to get a snack, book and wine anyway, so that is fine for me.

enjoy

What Mcintech said about the wine was seriously funny.

I am an EE and have been one for over 30 years with analog/digital and amplifer/filter design and test background. I am also a state registered Professional Engineer. Go figure. However, I will state again, Leave your equipment off until you are ready to listen. Turn it on with sufficient time to properly warm up and begin listening. When a signal begins to flow through the system the warm up time is faster. Except for pure class A equipment, which, depending on the bias points (and class A means different things to different Engineers), may be faster than others. As others have mentioned, pc boards get brittle over time with heat. Other components were not designed, nor tested (trust me) to be operated "on" 24/7. Look at any serious audio magazine. Do they review or rate your older (more than 2 years old) equipment? most times not. So, manufacturers have to have their products in the magazines in order to make money (in their opinion). So they have come up with the latest and greatest and newest equipment. Which in many cases is really not better than the older stuff they produced. But, their names will not get mentioned in mags, nor reviewed unless the equipment is "new". So, they really want you to either 1) buy their newer stuff, or 2) bring it in for repair. Would you think that audio equipment is treated any diffently than cars? Dealers make their money on maintenance, not sales. Most high end equipment have soft start circuitry that seriously reduces the chance of turn on failure. My equipment stays off until I come home from work and then I turn it on, do a few things around the home, and then I sit for my enjoyment.

That said, enjoy