On or Off - On or Off - Audio Electronics

I set up a second system because my main rig is all tube.   I needed something that if I dozed off I wouldnt have to worry about the rare chance of a failure.  

I bought a Cyrus Integrated amp.   It has a great feature , Auto Off.    After 20 min of no signal it turns itself off.    I rarely turn it off manually,  I mute of turn off the source and it takes a nap.   

Generally speaking, I turn all gear off when not in use.   Only exception is my phono pre, it has no power switch.  

Okay, you already know that tube equipment should be turned off or you will exhaust the tube life in a few short months.

Pre amps and Amps with a power button in the front (SS), turn off.

Graphic Equalizers, turn off.

AM/FM Tuners, turn off.

Tape decks, turn off.

CD Players, turn off.

Turn Tables, turn off.

Any powered speaker that doesn't have auto off, turn off.

Phone Stages- it depends.  If SS it may use MOSFET or FET technology, therefor leave it on as the FETs like to be warm to function properly.  They don't use much power in stand by mode and are very robust.  If a tube Phone Stage....turn off.

I don't think I missed anything......

If I go away for an extended period I unplug the units.

Also since it's OK not to care about the environment anymore I'd say go nuts leave everything on as long as you want.

Some manufacturers will tell you.  I always insisted it was put in manuals of stuff I designed.

Someone succinctly summed up what I believe to be the general rule:  Solid state gear on all the time - except for power hungry power amps. They will both sound better after somewhere between 20 minutes and 8 hours of warm up, draw little power and will last longer (less shock on components).  But power amps can get hot; and having them on when there are power interruptions might subject your speakers to abuse.

Warm up is not a controversial topic in sophisticated electronics. Mots delicate lab gear is not even in calibration when its cold.

For power stages of high power amps (all my designs actually have standby in which the power-draw electronics never go off) I generally find the first hour delivers 90% of the benefit, and the subsequent 8-24 hours the remainder.  So I turn my power amps on ~ 30 minuets before I plan to listen seriously.

Isn't there a big difference between switching into standby mode, switching off at the wall, and switching off by removing the plug from the wall?  Only the latter protects from lightning-induced surges.

in general, any unit without an easily accessible front switch should be left on. Most user manuals also tell the owner to unplug when the equipment will not be used for long periods.

My class A solid state amplifier is only on when I need it, or the room needs extra heating.