Is it safe to leave an amplifier on continuously?

[RichardCory]

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[Asr]

Leaving on the Micro Stack is fine, it's solid-state. Only tube amps shouldn't be left on all the time.

 

[RichardCory]

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[GreatDane]

I use a Tripp-Lite box to power my amps and players,etc. It gives me the ability to switch off power which is the safer way to go if you fear power surges or lightning strikes causing erratic power fluctuations.

 

[Svperstar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatDane I use a Tripp-Lite box to power my amps and players,etc. It gives me the ability to switch off power which is the safer way to go if you fear power surges or lightning strikes causing erratic power fluctuations.

Funny, I was just looking at the Tripp-Lite today, does it filter out power noise?

 

[dk123]

Is it safe to turn the surge protector on/off to turn the amp on/off and leave the amp & power supply in the on position always, or can this damage the amp/power supply?

 

[Uncle Erik]

dk123- it should be fine to use a Tripplite or other external switch for your gear.

Even if something can be left on all the time, that doesn't mean that you should. It will draw power and will cost you. For the money you save, you could buy a new pair of headphones every year. Flipping a switch is a small price to pay for that.

 

[RichardCory]

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[sbulack]

If you're going to leave a headphone amp on all the time for lengthy unattended periods, I'd recommend turning the pot all the way down. If power fluctuations should cause the amp to go into oscillation with the pot at a normal listening level, the amp will send a raucus noise through the headphones for the hours until the amp is properly power cycled. With the pot all the way down, the oscillation will at least be contained in the amp.

 

[mrarroyo]

What is the advantage of leaving a solid state amp on all the time? I can see it (and have heard it) on a tube amp but I am a bit confused of the benefits in a SS amp.

 

[alex_cs]

i dont tihnk there is a benefit, beyond not having to turn his amp off at the wal constantly (it would appear his amp is either AC or battery, no off position.

 

[RichardCory]

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[Asr]

Well something like an amp is extremely simplistic compared to the millions of transistors scattered across a computer's motherboard, that's not really a fair comparison. Computers should be maintained at a constant and cool temp for as long as possible - I don't think the same applies to an amp.

 

[TURBO]

I do have an amp that blow up my right HD600 driver, due to a dc offset, by turning it on and off. I won’t mention the name, to respect the manufacturer. Since then, I leave all my amps on, all the time, with the potentiometer in 0db and Headphones connected.

 

[sbulack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo What is the advantage of leaving a solid state amp on all the time?

With my PPA, there's no real reason to leave it on when I'm not listening to it.
It pretty much sounds its best from the moment I turn it on.
My M^3 does not fully sound its best until its been on for about 20 minutes. So I leave it on, with the pot all the way down, when I leave it for awhile if it is likely that I'll be returning to it for more listening, especially if my time with it will be short. For extended unattended periods, I tend to turn it off.