If tube gear doesn't have a stand-by mode, you should turn it completely off. Most SS gear that is properly designed can be left on. As i type this, i have 12 of the 14 SS power amps that i use turned on along with the other support components for each of those systems. The only components that i power up and down as needed are the very old tube based units that i have. Having said that, tubed gear should be allowed to warm up and heat down prior to use or pulling the plug. Trying to stand on the throttle right off the bat or disconnecting power just after throttling the tubes causes pre-mature failure. The tube based DAC's that i have stay on 24/7 as i'm not worried about them due to more advanced parts being used and the extra safety precautions that newer designs have brought with them. Sean
>
PS... ALWAYS make sure that units have adequate ventilation and don't leave them resting directly on flammable / easily damaged materials. I've heard stories from one manufacturer where a guy left their high bias power amp turned on sitting on deep pile carpeting. The carpeting got so hot that it melted. I don't think that anybody wants to deal with something like that, so take such things into consideration before finding out the hard way.
