Power On First/Off Last Device?

i received my adcom ace, hooked it up, and as wolf et. al, have stated, it works perfectly--i can wholeheartedly recommend it, or similar conditioner/sequencer. now if i can only find a device that (unlike wife + kids) puts the cds back in their jewel cases, all my problems would be solved. thanks again for your help.

I use an Adcom ACE 515 I bought new that refuses to die...and works prefectly. Also, back in the late 70s my band was filling in an "off night" for a band that allowed our keyboard player to use their gigantic tri-amped rig...with specific instructions about the turn-on/turn-off sequence (amp on last, off first) that our keyboard player promptly forgot when turning it off. Oops...burnt out the whole rig and cost our keyboard player some serious clammage.

thanks gbart. i did already order an adcom ace and will report results when i get it.

Loomisjohnson, in addition to the old Adcom line conditioners, the Belkin PureAv PF-60 power console has eight outlet banks, each with programmable turn-on delays of 5, 10 or 15 seconds. You could set the outlet bank the amp is plugged into so that it turns on last and off first.

I have an inexpensive Monster Power Center that turns on my amp last and off first. As I recall, they made other units with programmable "timing" options allowing you customize the order of shutdown and start-up.

07-23-11: Rlwainwright
I fail to see why it makes much of a difference at all what order you use for turning equipment on and off. If you're worried about power-on transients, simply turn the volume pot on your preamp all the way down while turning the equipment on and off...

The procedure Loomis described is correct. Obviously, the importance of adhering to that procedure will vary depending on the design of the particular components.

Turn-on or turn-off transients may be generated by preamp circuitry that is "after" the volume control, those transients therefore not being affected by the volume setting.

Also, with respect to source components, it is conceivable (although probably unlikely in most cases) that it may be unhealthy for a preamp input stage to be repeatedly exposed to transients from the source components that exceed its internal dc power supply voltages (voltage "rails"), which would be zero when the preamp is off, and therefore exceeded by ANY transient.

Also, given that the preamp is turned on first and off last, turning the volume control down when source components are turned on or off is good practice, to eliminate the possibility of a similar effect occurring at the power amp inputs.

Finally, it should be kept in mind that many power amps may continue to be able to amplify transients that appear at their inputs for a considerable number of seconds after they are turned off.

Regards,
-- Al

gentlemen:
1. the lazy americans i referrred to in my post are me and my family, not the other more conscientious folk on agon
2. to which end, the wife and kids cannot or will not turn down the volume on the preamp before powering off the system nor expend the effort to turn on/off the components in the correct order ( i do notice that, probably because i'm using tubes, i'll still get some power transients even when the volume is tuned down)
3. the adcom ace is precisely the type of device i'm looking for; i see that panamax/furman among others make similar conditioners w/sequencing
as ever, thanks for the feedback

Ooops, sorry Rodman, that was supposed to be five 9's plus 1 plus 1.

Rodman9999+1+1
For safety's sake, the proper order is exactly the way Loomisjohnson described... I am adamant about it in my system and don't even let others "activate the start-up sequence!"

I fail to see why it makes much of a difference at all what order you use for turning equipment on and off. If you're worried about power-on transients, simply turn the volume pot on your preamp all the way down while turning the equipment on and off...

-RW-

Rodman99999 +1

"As Americans, WE'RE too lazy?" Speak for yourself.

The Adcom ACE-515? (not sure on model #) has 2 circuits with a time delay for turn on and off. Got some good reviews when it first came out.
Not sure if it is still in production.
Have seen used one's for sale here on Audiogon.
Or you could use (2) power strips.
I do not mind turning off the componets individually.
Joe Nies