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Dumb Question 36

I just bought a used Conrad Johnson PF-R pre-amp and noticed that it has no power on/off button. Am I supposed to leave the unit on all the time? Is this a common practice in audio quipment these days? This is the first unit I have ever seen with no power switch. I have heard that there is a certain protocal you should use when turning on your system and reverse the procedure when turning it off(something like turn pre-amp on first then power amp and then reverse the procdure to shut down). I presently have the amp and pre-amp plugged into the same surge protector. When I turn on the power button of the surge protector naturally both units come on--no problems--but when I turn off the power through the surge protector I get a LOUD "POP" from the speakers. This can't be right so how do I hook up the sytem to the power correctly?

Thanks.

Steve
say811
winoguy17
1,084 posts
 
I would try to not have both power and pre plugged into the same surge protector, Plug amp right into the wall if you have to, also, turn off amp first as suggestewd by Sugarbrie
driver's avatar
driver
750 posts
 
What Sugarbrie said. I have a pre amp (Pass) with the same setup. No power switch. My amp also has a standby switch so all I do is use that & my system is ready to go.

I also don't use a conditioner but suggest you try plugging the preamp directly in the wall. You might want to experiment with plugging the amp directly in also to see if the power conditioner affects the sound.
glen's avatar
glen
714 posts
 
I leave my power conditioner on 24/7. I use to own a Classe pre-amp that ran 24/7. (no off switch) This is normal on some pieces, as they require forever to warm up.

I would recommend adding a couple dedicated circuits. Then run the amp directly into the wall. Dedicated power is usually plenty clean for an amp and better sonically IMO.
bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
leave the amp on the surge protector unless it sounds better direct to line. It will "pop" no matter what you plug it into if the correct 'last on, first off' sequance is not followed. But I would always leave it on; sounds better that way.
redkiwi
1,092 posts
 
If you have not been leaving your equipment on for days at a time, then you are in for a treat.
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