BobMaximus
pfm Member
You should leave on any amp that takes (say) a week before it reaches its optimum sound. You will be able to hear this for yourself. The opinions of others are not relevant.
Certainly pleased to hear a concensus on this. It has been my practice to turn off for any silent period of more than an hour and a half. What prompted my question was a claim that Audionote advised leaving amps on, and that turning valves on and off, due to expasion and contraction, reduced longevity. The writer's own practice was not to turn off between sessions.
Why is it that an amp that takes a week to come on sound is badly designed, yet one that blows up is not?
Valves are most likely to fail at switch on/off which is why It was common practice back in the dayCertainly pleased to hear a concensus on this. It has been my practice to turn off for any silent period of more than an hour and a half. What prompted my question was a claim that Audionote advised leaving amps on, and that turning valves on and off, due to expasion and contraction, reduced longevity. The writer's own practice was not to turn off between sessions.
I have to poo poo that one ! My amp's are designed to be left on for long periods (as originally designed for studio use), and certainly should not be turned off and on in short durations
But does it REALLY made any difference to the sound quality?
One would sincerely hope good condition modern valve amps would be perfectly safe, i.e. have full and well-designed fuse protection. I’m sure most are, though I’m very wary of some Chinese models that are obviously only designed for 220V and run dangerously hot (e.g. grey-import Ming Da which very regularly blew up). (...)
No idea, but it sure as Hell stresses things by repeated switch on/offs (see post 27).