Stress on Solid State Amps

An amp is "stressed" much more by turning it on from a cold start than by playing it full volume for weeks on end. An amp driven to clipping occasionally or if played at higher power settings is more dependable than an amp that has been sitting idle for years - but not less dependable than one that's been coddled. Things like humidity, temperature extremes, cigarette smoke, pet dander, electrical surges and the like will have a far greater impact on life expectancy than just by simply playing it loud or often. No one will mention those stress items in their ads too frequently...