2. amps-preamps
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Does anyone leave their amp and preamp on all the time?

I listen most nights after work. I find that the system takes a while to warm up and sounds it's best if it has been shut off. So I leave it on. I always have and this is vintage stuff. The amp is a 25/25 Bedini class A. It stays warm but never hot. It has never caused an issue but recently I've been speaking with others that were stunned that I would do this. So let me know if I'm the only one that lets it run. Do you shut off the equipment after each session?
vinylfan62
wspohn's avatar
wspohn
603 posts
 
Love the Bedini amp!

I can't leave my Class A amps on all the time. They draw around 400 watts each just sitting there when not converting any of it to sound and they heat the room up noticeably by the end of a listening session.
They do not take long to sound good once turned on, though.

Similarly I do not leave my tube amp (main system) on as the tubes only have a certain life time and I intend to use it all with me in the room.

My main system preamp is also tube, but is always powered and just takes a minute or a bit better to wake the tubes up when switched to active mode. No big changes in sound once they are on.
garypennstate's avatar
garypennstate
34 posts
 
All of the time. My Threshold T2 preamp doesn't have an on off switch so I have no choice. My Threshold amp has been left on for years and only gets a little warm and never hot, surprising for a class A amp.
jeburgess
5 posts
 
I am sporadic with when my system is on or off during the week, but I typically leave my entire system on from Thursday night through Sunday night for weekend listening. During the week if I want to listen I’ll turn them on when I get home, but turn them off at the end of the night to save on power (class A baby!) and save the tubes. If I’m leaving for a few days or more I’ll turn the breakers off (they are dedicated to audio). 
krell_fan1's avatar
krell_fan1
100 posts
 
I have a Krell 400cx Class A amp and per factory I leave my amp on standby ALWAYS, unless away for more than 4 or 5 days in which case I will power it off completely. Solids state amps LIKE to be in and always sound appreciably better when warm. Most amps don't like to be turned on and off. Standby alway best. 
devilscucumber's avatar
devilscucumber
13 posts
 
I have 3 Plinius Pre-Amps, a Plinius Phono Amp, a Plinius power amp and a large Perreaux amp and powered electrostatics with subs which all run constantly, Plinius recommend leaving them on.

I also remember reading that the heating up , cooling phases are where most component failure occurs.

The only time I turn them off is during a power blackout, as the return of electricity surge/brown power often is not clean.
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