Should You Leave An External Power Supply On 24-7?

For what it's worth, Bluesound instructions noted to keep the Node on all the time as the power up cycles can increase wear and tear on components.

There is no way to turn it off unless you unplug it anyway.

@jetter 

Assuming you use your nodes with an external DAC, what is your objective opinion on how much adding the LPS improved the sound? 

NODE 130 with external DAC here. I added the LHY LPS (under $300) and it made a significant difference. And that was before I added the DAC. Bargain upgrade.

@parker65310 @mitch4t 

Just back and thank you for your detailed responses, it is exactly what I was hoping for.  I am thinking that I have thought long enough and it's time to purchase the LPS and the board that you install in the Node itself.

The very recent BluOS support for FLAC files shot it up even further.

Bluesound has certainly been improving BluOS.

Thanks and Happy Holidays

@jetter

..ditto what @parker65310 said ..."sound improvements from the Teddy Pardo…I found the sound stage imaging/separation got even better (wider and deeper), along with bass response and overall delicateness of the notes, if you will. The background noise floor always sounded super quiet, but I suspect it may have dropped even further (dynamics seem to be sharper in a good way). The very recent BluOS support for FLAC files shot it up even further."

I have an Audio Research Reference DAC.  I primarily listen to instrumental jazz.

I primarily listen to Qobuz. Before the Teddy Pardo upgrade, Pandora sounded okay, now Pandora sounds AMAZING!

I suggest getting the Teddy Pardo upgrade...it will be money well spent for the leap in performance upgrade you’ll receive.

@jetter I am very happy with the Teddy Pardo LPS. I began my streaming journey with just the Node (gen 1) a few years ago. I then added an MHDT Orchid DAC (tube on the output stage) to bypass the Node’s internal DAC (using all Silnote Audio cabling). Then a few months ago I upgraded to the newest Node (moved the old one to my 2 pairs of B&W WM6 outdoor patios setup) and then added the Teddy Pardo about 2 weeks ago. I should add I also have a BAT VK600 with bat pack huge, lots of current, fully balanced solid state amp; BAT VK-6i tube preamp; all feeding into my fully upgraded/restored Apogee Acoustics Duetta Signature full range ribbon speakers. 
Now to the sound improvements from the Teddy Pardo…I found the sound stage imaging/separation got even better (wider and deeper), along with bass response and overall delicateness of the notes, if you will. The background noise floor always sounded super quiet, but I suspect it may have dropped even further (dynamics seem to be sharper in a good way). The very recent BluOS support for FLAC files shot it up even further. My reference recordings I use for comparison are centered around Jefferson Airplane’s White Rabbit, Jeff Beck’s Cause We Ended As Lovers, Trentemoller’s Miss You (this is likely my favorite all time cut, I always come back to it), Pearl Jam’s Present Tense and all of Muddy Water’s exceptional album Folk Singer.

i leave mine on

@mitch4t @parker65310 

I have a node 2i which I enjoy the heck out of with my external DAC.

Assuming you use your nodes with an external DAC, what is your objective opinion on how much adding the LPS improved the sound?  Thanks

Update Class A off. Tubes off. The rest on.

ok, now that most seem to agree power supplies can be left on 24/7/365.

if OK, What about a power supply that powers a phono amp with a tube? I would think that should be turned off!  If left on, wouldn't that lead to premature failure of the tube?

I never turn my DAC, N130 or my Teddy Pardo off.

@dr-boop I didn’t know that, great info. TYVM  I have a BSN + LPS and leave them powered on all the time.  The combo draws very little current.  I've had no issues doing this.

For what it's worth, Bluesound instructions noted to keep the Node on all the time as the power up cycles can increase wear and tear on components.

Same setup here on my secondary system. Easy answer, on 24/7 unless unused for multiple weeks. Both the Node and Pardo will benefit for it soundwise.

On ,it keeps the capacitors charged up ,as well as last longer 

on and off is extra cycling and small surges. ,for they don’t use thermistors as a slow start up .

Plixir Elite Balanced DC Linear Power Supplies do not have an on/off switch for sound quality reasons. There is a surprising quality jump when you add the Signature DC cable between the Linear Supply and the device as well. It all makes a difference.

Class A off. The rest on.

I also installed a Teddy Pardo with my Node about 2 weeks ago. I leave them both on all the time, but turn off all of my other components. The Teddy Pardo seems to draw very little power and doesn’t get hot anyway. I’ll continue to leave mine on all the time.

Yes my SS equipment is on 24-7 330 days a year.  I power down when I go on vacation. 

+1 @jacobsdad2000 That’s what most solid state manufacturers seem to recommend (including Pardo, who knows better about your PS than anyone here).  I left my solid state components on (except for extended vacations) and had decades of trouble-free performance.  Plus, leaving something on means it’s always warmed up and ready to play, so there’s that nice little bonus.  Just my $0.02 FWIW.

I have an LTA linear power supply.  LTA told me to leave it on 24/7.

Yes my SS equipment is on 24-7 330 days a year. 

I power down when I go on vacation. 

I just got a response from the Teddy Pardo company saying that it should be left on all the time because it does not use very much power and that the unit does not get warm.

yes