I have all my components running through a power conditioner so when I an not using the system I turn the main power off on the conditioner which disconnects everything from the powerline. I don't primarily do this for the electrical cost savings, but rather as a precaution as power spikes/troughs can happen due to storms and other powerline issues. If you have expensive equipment, I think this is the best precaution you can take to prevent unwanted damage to your equipment and it will save you money on the electricity as well. Electronics will NOT be damaged by not having power, but power can damage electronics.
Cost of running a tube amp.
Hey guys. (Any gals out there read this stuff?!!!)
I have long wondered about the power draw of my Cary SLI80 integrated amp.
The transformers get so hot that it is almost painful to touch them!
So I dusted off this old "Kill a watt" power measurement tool that I bought on a whim years ago and never used.
The Cary is using around 200 watts. A kilowatt every 5 hours.
It is the same whether it is playing music or on standby.
Here in Manhattan I am paying Con Edison around 30 cents per kwh total including transmission, generation, taxes, etc.
6 cent per hour to run the amp.
A long day would cost close to a dollar.
I think that where I used to live in the SF Bay Area I paid 15 cents or maybe 20 total per kw. Some parts of the U.S. pay a lot less.
Ok so running my amp is like running two 100 watt light bulbs.
Which, come to think of it, bulbs get HOT too.
Actually hotter.
Funny how we leave lights on in empty rooms, forgetting to turn them off, and don't really give it a second thought. But my amp is getting hot OMG!
Apparently I am worrying about the wrong thing.
Forget the amp.
Turn off lights!
(Or try to tolerate CFL's)
Happy New Year
Art
I have long wondered about the power draw of my Cary SLI80 integrated amp.
The transformers get so hot that it is almost painful to touch them!
So I dusted off this old "Kill a watt" power measurement tool that I bought on a whim years ago and never used.
The Cary is using around 200 watts. A kilowatt every 5 hours.
It is the same whether it is playing music or on standby.
Here in Manhattan I am paying Con Edison around 30 cents per kwh total including transmission, generation, taxes, etc.
6 cent per hour to run the amp.
A long day would cost close to a dollar.
I think that where I used to live in the SF Bay Area I paid 15 cents or maybe 20 total per kw. Some parts of the U.S. pay a lot less.
Ok so running my amp is like running two 100 watt light bulbs.
Which, come to think of it, bulbs get HOT too.
Actually hotter.
Funny how we leave lights on in empty rooms, forgetting to turn them off, and don't really give it a second thought. But my amp is getting hot OMG!
Apparently I am worrying about the wrong thing.
Forget the amp.
Turn off lights!
(Or try to tolerate CFL's)
Happy New Year
Art