Leaving your amplifier on all the time can indeed have both positive and negative effects on its reliability and lifespan, depending on the specific type of amplifier you have.
1. Solid-State Amplifiers (Class A, high current bias):
Solid-state amplifiers generally consume less power compared to tube amplifiers and are more tolerant of being left on for extended periods. They have a lower risk of wearing out quickly due to excess heat or power consumption. In fact, some audio enthusiasts prefer to leave their solid-state amplifiers on continuously, as they believe that the constant temperature and operating conditions might contribute to more stable performance over time.
2. Tube Amplifiers:
Tube amplifiers (especially Class A and high current bias designs) can draw significant power and generate substantial heat during operation. Leaving them on continuously might accelerate the wear and tear of the tubes and other components. Tubes have a limited lifespan, and operating them for long durations continuously can lead to more frequent replacements. Additionally, excessive heat can degrade electronic components and may reduce overall reliability.
In conclusion, leaving a solid-state amplifier on all the time might not be a significant issue for reliability, but with tube amplifiers, it's generally better to turn them off when not in use. Modern tube amplifiers often have standby modes, which allow the tubes to warm up gradually before being fully powered on, reducing stress on the components during startup.
If you're concerned about extending the life of your amplifier, the best practice is to follow the manufacturer's guidelines regarding usage and maintenance. Here are some general tips to improve amplifier longevity:
1. Proper ventilation: Ensure the amplifier has adequate airflow to dissipate heat effectively.
2. Cool-down period: If your amplifier has been operating for an extended period, give it a few minutes to cool down before turning it off.
3. Clean and service: Regularly clean the amplifier's exterior and, if necessary, have it serviced by a professional to keep it in good condition.
4. Use a power conditioner: A power conditioner can protect the amplifier from power surges and voltage fluctuations.
5. Turn it off when not in use: If you know you won't be using the amplifier for an extended period, it's better to turn it off to conserve energy and reduce wear on components.
Remember that each amplifier is unique, and consulting the manufacturer or an audio expert regarding your specific model is always a good idea for personalized advice.
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@bishop148 Try an isolation transformer. Not only does it protect your equipment, but it improves the sound more than a high end power cable.
@invalid It's heat that's the main enemy. If the caps don't get hot, they'll last and last.
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I have left my Class D amps turned on for years.
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Dam! Don't you hate being wrong!
However out here in the boonies, lightning strikes are frequent and without a very fast over voltage protection it can and will damage your gear.
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@bishop148
Electrolytic capacitors and relays definitely have a life expectancy, so there are components in audio equipment that need to be replaced.
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Electronic components don't wear out like for example mechanical components. But a mains voltage spike or lightning strike - that'll fry your amp and perhaps other components - nicely. Maybe unplug your system if you're not using it for long periods.
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There is only one rule that apply universally and in all case:
Love God above all...
And the prime numbers distribution law after God ...
Amplifiers differ and human habit too , climate, house grid , etc then there is NO ONE RULE for all and every amplifier and for each one of us..
«Next subject if there is one»-- Groucho Marx 🤓
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Other than @cakyol, who else out there has an amp that dims the lights when you turn it on?
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REL recommended that I leave my subs on continuously. I have not reached out to McIntosh yet for their advise on SS gear.
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@highend64, like most things in audio, it depends.
Obviously class A amps will run hot so best not to leave on but Class AB can and IMO should be left on all the time.
You'll probably remember the old incandescent light bulb that mostly failed on switch on because the filament is cold and at its lowest resistance and pulls most current = blown. This is stressful for amps at switch on.
When a hot amp cools down there is condensation so the PCB is contracting in the presence of moisture providing the ingredients for failed solder joints and corrosion on anything with some ferrous content. Class AB in its quiescent state draws very little power and does not get hot so just leave it on.
Of course if it is to be out of use for a long period then best to turn off.
Valve amps can also be left on if HV to the power tubes is interrupted by relay and the heater voltage to driver is reduced to 2/3 of nominal. So 6.3V can be reduced to about 4.2V via a standby switch thereby avoiding cathode poisoning. Flipping from standby to on will very quickly bring the heaters up to nominal V while the HV is delayed for 20 to 30 seconds before connecting.
Some but not many commercial tube amps provide this feature. Easily done using an LM 317 adjustable voltage regulator for less than $2
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1) Valve amps should not be left on since the life dependancy of the tubes
is affected.
2) Class A amps should not be left on due to the wasted energy and heat
that they generate.
3) The rest depends on whether your amp has an inrush current limiter or not.
- If it does (your lights do NOT dim when you switch it on), then turning it
off would be ok.
- If it does NOT however (your lights DO dim when you switch it on) the
amp should be left ON all the time since considerable stress occurs at power up.
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No worries.
we are on the same page.
Thanks,
enjoy
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@minorl I think I kinda misspoke — I meant that every time you turn your system on the temp of the internal electronic components go from cool to warm/hot, and then when you turn it off the reverse happens. This is the temperature fluctuation I was referring to, not some constant fluctuation during operation. Just wanted to clear that up and sorry for the confusion.
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@soix, Thanks for the information. I don't believe that it is a constant temp flux, because one isn't turning on an off like a 3 year old. It is turned on and let warm up. Hence the word warm up.
however, I appreciate your input and will look at your other post/responses.
any good information can't hurt.
enjoy
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My 'go to' Audio EE, who has designed and built a selection of my systems devices, and carried out circuit corrective works on another owned device.
Made it known to me in the very earliest days of out relationship, to always have eyes on the devices in use, to Power Off after use and revisit shortly after Power Off for peace of mind.
This is a discipline maintained to date, which was first strongly suggested over 25 Years ago.
This advice even though extremely valuable, is seemingly the anti-thesis of the description being given of how another EE is endorsing certain paractices.
On the matter of early component failure being realised through heat fluctuations is surely a case of stepping over $'s to pick up Cents.
I lost my home due to an electrical fire occurring, as a result of being foolish and try to prolong the life of a devices components that might only cost a few cents to replace once spent.
All Cap's, Resistors, Switches are going one way, and that is spent as a usage life. Ask a EE.
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most new components have soft start circuitry that dramatically reduce the inrush and damage to components. So this shouldn’t be an issue with newer components.
@minorl Even if that’s so, which you’d need to confirm with the manufacturer, the point you’re missing is that the constant temperature fluctuations between cold and warm/hot also degrade electronic components faster — this according to Steve McCormack. I’d refer you to my prior post for more context if you haven’t read it already.
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Most modern designs are going to have a standby mode where the component consumes very little power. Usually .5 watts or less. It’s pretty apparent that they are intended to be in standby mode when not in use. I noticed even holdouts like Naim have finally embraced energy conservation and have this feature in the new classic line and statement amps.
Older designs without a standby mode I can’t really say. I have owned amps that consume 20 watts or more at idle. That can add up over time so personally I turn my stuff off. But I’ve never owned a mega expensive amp, so my experience may not be applicable. In this industry there are many specious ideas that are spread around, shared and reinforced. Stay skeptical. If you’ve got a really expensive amp, and want it to last decades, try calling a service center to get opinion.
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MANUFACTURERS Recommendations are the only ones worth seriously considering
Good point.
I have had some manufactures advise to "leave on" ss components, and to "turn off", when not using for a while.
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I switched off all my gears when they are not in use, not even in standby mode.
I think a good setup needs to sound very good even with little warmup. I would turn on my setup, let it warm up for 5 minutes max, and immediately enjoy aural bliss. I don't think a setup should sound drastically that different with longer warm up. If it is, perhaps invest in better components?
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Looks like what I stated, and the few responses are in this limited space a case of s 'pearls before swine'.
As stated, the MANUFACTURERS Recommendations are the only ones worth seriously considering, and are the ones that will be investigated by a authority, especially a Insurance Company at the time of a Claim, if the device is the cause of the claim.
What is thrown around on a forum is BS to these types, they will not be looking for any advice in such a place.
Hence, "Speak to your Home Insurance and Amp's Manufacturer."
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First, yes, there are many older posts that discuss this topic at length. However, the OP asked a question and is requesting help, not a scolding for not reviewing prior posts.
If you don't want to help, then don't answer.
Second, most new components have soft start circuitry that dramatically reduce the inrush and damage to components. So this shouldn't be an issue with newer components.
I have yet to hear any high end system that didn't sound great after about 45 minutes of warm up.
There are so many golden ears out there. But really, your system sounds like crap even after an hour of warm up? really?
If you aren't concerned about tube life, then leave them on 24/7. Just remember, sometimes with heat and leaving on, when they go, they really go spectacularly, and may take your home with it.
I never leave my system components on. When I want to listen, I turn it on, do some other things, and then after a warm up period settle down and enjoy.
Most manufacturers won't recommend leaving they devices on 24/7. Some low powered stuff may be okay.
I have some pretty decent tube gear and power tubes typically last 2000 hours and are really expensive.
I've had an amp or two launch a tube or two with resistors and other circuitry. Not fun and thankfully I was home.
I have a Krell KBS balanced crossover made specifically for my Martin Logan Monolith III speakers that is always on, no power switch. Which I believe is really stupid. Some components went up in flames. So, subsequently, after repairing it, I unplug that sucker most times until it is needed.
But, it is up to you. Listen after an hour or so warm up. Then listen after 24 hours of it being left on. Hear any difference? Of course you have to go by memory on this one.
There you go.
enjoy
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I did have a carver receiver go up in flames, but it only lasted a split second, and unless there was a lot of paper and kindling on top of the receiver there was no chance of a fire.
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The other concern is electrical storms, odd power fluctuations, etc., and not being there to shut down until the situation is over. Still, when I ran solid state I did leave the electronics on all of the time to avoid warmup issues (I still leave my server on all of the time for this reason).
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Since the argument against leaving your SS amps on 24/7 is the damage caused by heat (mostly), what is the temp of your equipment both when in use and when idling? At Idle, my Hegel H30 measures +/- 90F on the warmest part of the case and 100F is the warmest temp I can shoot inside the case. When in operation, both go up about 10 degrees F. It would seem my equipment would suffer more heat damage sitting in Pheonix completed turned off.
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Further, I’ve never heard of an audio component bursting into flames and causing a fire. But whatever.
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@pindac
I have never heard of an insurance company not paying because of the reasons you state, do you have some examples?
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I left my Naim 42/110 combo on for forty years: no problem.
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Speak to your Home Insurance and Amp's Manufacturer.
I'm sure the Insurance will happily payout for electrical fires when a Fridge or another White Goods or the like has a malfunction that results in a fire, and there is plenty to suggest it has been cared for as the Manufacturer Suggests.
Taking advice of a forum on such matters of such unimportance can easily leave one without a home and no Insurance Payout to boot.
It is the individual holding the insurance policy, who has a responsibility to act in accordance with how the Insurance Company deems good practices are being followed. Unpaid claims are regularly found in conjunction with abnormal practices.
Leaving Laptops 'Permanently' Charging and then unattended, is known as a cause of fires in premises', the Insurance Companies are known not to pay out when this is a cause of a fire.
Today leaving a Laptop Permanent Charge, might not be considered abnormal to the regular user. Leaving it unattended whilst charging for a excessive period is probably normal for many.
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I let my Sansui alpha S.S. amplifier "on" all the time...
Why ?
Because i dont like the switch button working at all...It is the only thing i can fault about this amp...
The amp never become very hot anyway with headphones and always ready... I read many people experienced long time working of amplifier which are always "on" and no problems... And i trust soix experience .. 😊
I hate the button way of working with a scintillating light for 20 seconds indicating it is ready...For sure it is a relay protection time and it is good... But i prefer not to touch it... And my amp is always ready...I listen music each day at least 2 hours...
My sound quality , it is ectasy each evening, is so good i did not know if i will not coming back to listening few time after beeing switch "off"... It is very hard to stop listening... Then i prefer it ready...
Anyway i am already 72 years old... If it let me down after my death because of that habit i dont care.. 😊
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@dweller
@milpai
I read that story too. Yes, it was in Stereophile. Unbelievable, indeed.
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@bigtwin
Sorry, I forgot you had the Big Boys.😁
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Audiogon forum opinions are like stock market opinions, for every opinion you can find the exact opposite...mine is, for SS, especially if there is a standby mode and slow power up(like Pass X250.8), turn off on front, leaving it in standby...the sound is better when warm, but that doesnt take a terribly long time.....
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Standby mode is good to use saywhen nolongerlister8ng for the evening
warm uptime is maybe30 minutes to sound best..
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I find that my Class A solid state mono blocks sound better after 96 hours. They run at body temperature. There are no electrolytic caps in the mono blocks to dry out. The power supply is in another room, where the electrolytic caps remain at room temperature. So I turn them off for heat domes, not otherwise.
Ain't DIY great?
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It is not so much heat/cold cycling that damages caps as it is the rapid inrush of current that deforms the cap. But, any decent designs where this could be a problem would include a “soft-start” circuit that puts a high current resistor or a resistor that has high resistance when cold in series to reduce inrush current until the cap has been gradually charge to the point when a relay (usually timed) closes a circuit that allows full current flow. Turn onTurn off cycling should not reduce component life (except for failure of the soft-start relay which is a common failure mode).
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Question was presented to a McIntosh tech some years back.
The response was a resounding NO. If it’s on its being used and any piece of equipment being used does not have its life span increased by being used.
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I can recall reading from more than one amp engineer designer talking about this subject. Yes caps are built better than in the past but they all agreed that the greatest factor to cap failure was not as much the excess heat as much as it was the constant hot cold cycle. Their claim makes sense to me as a hot cycle expands and a cold cycle contracts and this constant cycle of expanding and contraction is the cause of cracks forming that would lead to failure. Another is my real life experience with my sansui 7070 that I purchased in 1979. I moved this into my wife’s salon to run music in her business. Outside of power outages the unit has not been turned off for 30 years and it is still going strong with no issues. I will agree you do not want to leave tubes in biased mode as they have a defined life cycle. My current amps I never turn off.
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In general for tube amps it's better to turn them off. With one exception that I know. David Berning's amps. David designs for long life, very, very long life in total contrast to almost every other tube designer. I know from a friend who was there that David's first amp , the Audionics BA150, would last almost forever. The prototype was turned on in 1972 and turned off in 1977 and there was no measurable wear on the output tubes.
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@curiousjim You are correct about the standby mode in many of the Hegel amps. Unfortunately, My H30's don't have the standby option. It's on or off and nothing in between.
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@bigtwin
When we think we are turning off our Hegel’s we are actually turning them to standby and that keeps the Caps charged up. It’s also the reason we don’t have to wait but a few minutes to hear the best sound from our rigs.
Now something I tried to get an answer from Hegel is, how many watts of Class A does the H390 put out before the class B kicks in. I never got a straight answer.
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Also, I never leave the house with a tube amp on.
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@highend64 seems to have already answered his own question.
Anywho, here’s my take. Give the ones that generate heat room to breathe. Chances are all will be well.
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I have five amps I use every day. There are 4 d amps that I leave on 24/7. Also in use is a single-ended 812 amp, that is in use most of the time (cuz it's so good!) There is an SET 300B that is used rarely (it makes a good back up when necessary).
Regards,
Dan
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@dweller , that story rings a bell. I have read that too. But it was just that this dealer or reviewer was helping out a widow whose husband had died and was buying the amp from her. The best part was that the amp sounded fine even with the tubes being ON for that long. I believe it was in Stereophile somewhere?
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You can always compromise and turn amp on before going to bed Thursday night (for a big weekend listening session). Turn it off Sunday night.
I read an unbelievable story about a NYC dweller who left a pair of McIntosh monos on for 35 years because he had them in an impossible-to-reach location. Maybe I dreamed this...
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Thanks for all responses! Some of the posts I do agree with stress on components and also turning on and off on certain amps. Logically, keeping electrical components like capacitors in PS keeps charged in a steady state.
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Is your amp Class A? If so the answer is obvious unless it has a low bias switch (like Plinius SA103, some Clayton amps, etc.). I recently had my McCormack Class A/B amp upgraded by SMcAudio and Patrick told me I probably extended the life of my amp several years by leaving it on 24/7 (I only turned it off when we left for week-long family vacations). My amp worked fine for 30 years this way with nothing more than a blown fuse along the way that was easily replaced. Plus, my amp was always warmed up and ready to go immediately, which was nice. I mentioned to Patrick the reason I left my amp on was from anecdotal evidence that light bulbs almost always blow out when you turn them on, and he thought that was an apt analogy. SMcAudio believes in this so strongly that when you upgrade the amp they disable the power switch that becomes nothing more than a dummy switch that controls nothing but the power indicator LED (they said so the wife/dummy knows it’s on — heh heh), so as long as the amp is plugged in it is always on. Given my personal experience and that Steve McCormack kinda knows what he’s doing I just thought I’d share FWIW.
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After reading so many differing opinions on this subject, I asked the manufacturer, in my case Hegel, if there was any harm caused by leaving my H30 Mono amps powered on 24/7, and is the rush of current at startup more harmful than constant power. Their answer was this. The amps are not damaged by the on/off cycle. They recommend waiting 60 seconds between turning on, if you have turned off. They did advise against leaving powered on 24/7 citing a waste of electricity and shortened life span due to constant heat. Therefore in my own case, I turn off after listening and turn on a couple hours in advance of my next session.
Maybe someone could answer this question for me. Define "shortened" lifespan. My previous Parasound power amp lasted 20 years without any issues and then I sold it. If shortened lifespan means lasting 25 years instead of 30, then I’m now too old to care as either one will out live me.
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True components that produce a lot of heat are subjected to greater stress on their components but a well engineered component will be designed to handle the amount of heat it generates. It’s the constant stress of on and off cycles cause the most stress on a component leading to failure.
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