OK to have power amps powered w/o spkrs.?

Mccormack DNA .05 Rev.A

Monarchy SM70 pros

Both solid state. I'd turn off the amp when connecting/switching speakers and preamp.

Emailed SMC, they said it shouldn't be a problem.

Off topic, but they also encouraged leaving it on 24/7 for best sound.

Previous owner of the Mccormack informed me though, that it does sound best left on, but sound will degrade after 10 days and to turn it off every week or so for at least a few hours....... I'll have to find out myself.

Very Very nice smooth sounding amp straight out of the box though. Impressed.

Some amplifiers do have stability issues without a load, so it is a good idea to check with the manufacturer. Otherwise, as a general rule of thumb, if the amplifier has no output load, do not put a signal into it.

Are you purposely not telling us what your amps are? This info could factor into the correct response.

In general, if it's a recent design (last 20 years) solid state amp, then leaving it on won't be a problem. Tube amps are a completely different circumstance. Additionally, I would be wary of connecting or disconnecting loudspeakers from a powered on amp. It could result in a loud pulse coming from your speakers.

Thanks Stanwal... I think I've answered my own question. I guess that's what the "search" function in forums is for...

From what I gleaned off the thread, it's a NO DON'T DO IT...

Although, I"m not sure it applies if I do not have a signal (source) going through the amp while not connected to a load/speakers...

but better to be safe than sorry.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1178450866&read&keyw&zzamp=without=a=load

Stupid me, I forgot the obvious, ask the manufacture of the amps.

I would not think it would bother any modern amp to run without a load. If you are worried why not get a couple of resistors and connect them to the outputs? You are not feeding any signal to them so I don't see what good they will do outside of relieving worry. But that is a legitimate purpose. You should have been around in the old days when you could blow the output stage when the amp was unplugged. I have a feeling that that advice may have been directed at some of the more exotic circuit designs. Amps that run well into class A are a law unto themselves.