Question about amps in general (sorry, might be dumb)

[fusionramjet]

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Is it safer to unplug headphones before turning an amp on and off?  I thought I read somewhere about power surges during on-off that might damage headphones.  This might be just with certain amps, though.​

Thanks!​

btw, I have a Hifiman EF-5.​

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

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Is it safer to unplug headphones before turning an amp on and off?  I thought I read somewhere about power surges during on-off that might damage headphones.  This might be just with certain amps, though.​

Thanks!​

btw, I have a Hifiman EF-5.​

With some amplifiers, it is safer to remove headphone before turning off amp.
Or only plugging in headphone after turning amp on.
Believe the "problem" is more with tube amps.

 

[Spareribs]

Just out of habit, I turn on my amps and then plug in. I think in likelihood, you don't have to worry in general. On some rare occasions, it can cause a problem.

 

[wuwhere]

I have an all tube speaker amp (60wpc) powering my HE6. I turn it on/off with my HE6 connected all the time.

 

[MorbidToaster]

The only time I'm okay just turning it on and off with the cans plugged in is with amps that have 'safe ons' such as the LF. 20 seconds for the tube circuit to activate and another 20 seconds for the HO to work.

 

[fusionramjet]

Thank you for your input!  I recently got an LCD-3 and wanna make super sure I don't inadvertently damage it.  So, whenever i turn my amp on or off, my headphone isn't plugged into it.  btw, I'm using Hifiman's EF-5.  Anybody know if that amp in particular has any issues with headphones being plugged in?

 

[Anaxilus]

Just don't leave them plugged in unless you are listening.  Just a good safe habit.  How hard is it really?

 

[Happy Camper]

I leave mine plugged in but the volume is always down before turning on and off.

 

[ChriG]

What does the documentation that came with the amp say?
 
If it says that you should unplug the phones, I´d do that. Otherwise not
 
But to answer you question; "Is it safer to unplug headphones before turning an amp on and off?" - Yes, it is, but it´s normally unnecessary.
 
If you want to be "super sure", do it
 
/ ChriG

 

[Rope]

Get in the habit of disconnecting HPs.  Power up the amp with the volume at minimum, wait 20 seconds, connect the phones and adjust volume to taste.
 
A ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Why take the chance when it only takes seconds to avoid spending hundreds.

 

[EarHead1]

fusionramjet, the question has two answers. one: it is recommended that the headphone be removed before switch off if just to avoid any possible damage to the headphones and turn the volume down before switch off as well to protect the headphone amp and the headphones. these are reasonable precautions and will reduce or eliminate damage to both. one other possible solution is the installation of an mov(metal oxide varistor) and capacitor in paralell across the switch as this should cut the transient caused by the turn on/off surge. as to the size of the components, check with a knowledgeable tech friend of yours who you trust. respectfully, EarHead1.