On or Off?

Bobby Dipole · 24th January 2011, 05:55 PM

I'm using a tube amp in my Stereo/HT system. Between music and TV, the amp is on 14 hours a day. Would it be easier on the amp to just leave it on all the time?

Bobby Dipole

tomchr · 24th January 2011, 06:25 PM

Leaving the amp on for ten hours a day without using it is an insane waste of energy and money. The filaments wear when they're on. But they're also stressed at start-up. With one start-up per day I bet the regular filament wear during normal operation of the amp is the dominant factor in filament, hence, tube life. I say turn the amp off when you don't need it.

~Tom

Bobby Dipole · 24th January 2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Dipole

I'm using a tube amp in my Stereo/HT system. Between music and TV, the amp is on 14 hours a day. Would it be easier on the amp to just leave it on all the time?

Bobby Dipole

That's 14 hours of actual listening. I'm a real couch potato!

Bobby Dipole

jrenkin · 24th January 2011, 08:51 PM

I am lucky if I average 14min a day

Poor Tube amp doesn't even warm up enough to hit its stride.

pedroskova · 24th January 2011, 09:32 PM

If I've been working on it, I turn it off ... just because I know me ... I think.

badman · 24th January 2011, 09:52 PM

I often leave them on but it switches up. Balance between being warm and ready to rock, and saving tube life.... though start up cycles are stressful too... so it's a mix. Unless I have big tube gear in the rig, then it gets shut down. Like when I had a tube linestage into a tube crossover, running 2 stereo tubeamps....

That got almost always shut down)

bob91343 · 24th January 2011, 10:50 PM

You only consider tube life. The other components will deteriorate with higher temperatures, capacitors and insulation and of course the pilot lamps. And corrosion action accelerates. Not to speak of the energy wasted. Well, you aren't wasting it if it's winter but in the summer it's not a good thing.

I suggest that if you don't listen for at least a half hour, shut it off.

mashaffer · 24th January 2011, 11:35 PM

I would turn off when sleeping or gone for safety reasons.

jfitz57 · 25th January 2011, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Dipole

I'm using a tube amp in my Stereo/HT system. Between music and TV, the amp is on 14 hours a day. Would it be easier on the amp to just leave it on all the time?

Bobby Dipole

There ain't 14 hours a week of TV worth watching and most of what is worth watching does not need anything special for the audio. I would rethink your whole plan. Only use tubes for the best of the best!

SGregory · 25th January 2011, 08:53 AM

I would turn it off as well. Energy, Safety, Peace fo Mind.

Pretty interesting when a spider gets in the case. I am just glad it was small. Made quite the show.

24th January 2011, 05:55 PM	#1
Bobby Dipole diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2010	On or Off? I'm using a tube amp in my Stereo/HT system. Between music and TV, the amp is on 14 hours a day. Would it be easier on the amp to just leave it on all the time? Bobby Dipole

24th January 2011, 09:52 PM	#6
badman Custom Title diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sunny Tustin, SoCal	I often leave them on but it switches up. Balance between being warm and ready to rock, and saving tube life.... though start up cycles are stressful too... so it's a mix. Unless I have big tube gear in the rig, then it gets shut down. Like when I had a tube linestage into a tube crossover, running 2 stereo tubeamps.... That got almost always shut down) __________________ I write for www.enjoythemusic.com in the DIY section. You may find yourself getting a preview of a project in-progress. Be warned!

24th January 2011, 11:35 PM	#8
mashaffer diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Indiana	I would turn off when sleeping or gone for safety reasons. __________________ mike - www.keepingsundayspecial.org

25th January 2011, 08:53 AM	#10
SGregory Tubie Noobie diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Southern Tier NY	I would turn it off as well. Energy, Safety, Peace fo Mind. Pretty interesting when a spider gets in the case. I am just glad it was small. Made quite the show. __________________ Living Life Doing the Waltz in 4/4 meter.

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24th January 2011, 06:25 PM	#2
tomchr diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greater Seattle Area	Leaving the amp on for ten hours a day without using it is an insane waste of energy and money. The filaments wear when they're on. But they're also stressed at start-up. With one start-up per day I bet the regular filament wear during normal operation of the amp is the dominant factor in filament, hence, tube life. I say turn the amp off when you don't need it. ~Tom

24th January 2011, 08:51 PM	#4
jrenkin diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Denver, Colorado	I am lucky if I average 14min a day Poor Tube amp doesn't even warm up enough to hit its stride.

24th January 2011, 09:32 PM	#5
pedroskova RIP Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: C'ville VA, USA	If I've been working on it, I turn it off ... just because I know me ... I think.

24th January 2011, 10:50 PM	#7
bob91343 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010	You only consider tube life. The other components will deteriorate with higher temperatures, capacitors and insulation and of course the pilot lamps. And corrosion action accelerates. Not to speak of the energy wasted. Well, you aren't wasting it if it's winter but in the summer it's not a good thing. I suggest that if you don't listen for at least a half hour, shut it off.

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