MattyW Posted December 25, 2024 Posted December 25, 2024 (edited) I currently only turn the power amp off. Everything else stays on though I have been giving some thought to turning the DAC off at night. It’s an expensive unit for me to replace and costs only ever go up over time. Given the complexity of my system no way it’s all getting turned off hey. Too long to turn everything back on again. Edited December 25, 2024 by MattyW 2
frankn Posted January 15 Posted January 15 On 3/7/2024 at 7:36 AM, Gieseler Audio said: Some good advice from Pedja Rogic - Audial - for owners of TDA1541 DAC based equipment. I do not recommend leaving the S5, or any other TDA1541(A) based DAC, on 24-7. This chip is the old TTL architecture, and it will not last very long if left constantly on (its DEM circuit usually fails first, probably after a couple of weeks). I believe you say this for all the “vintage” chips you utilise.
frankn Posted January 15 Posted January 15 My sequence is to utilise standby settings if a box offers it. If not, it gets switched off using the “front” panel on/off switch but not switched off at the rocker switch adjacent to the power cable , nor do I switch off and unplug at the socket unless there is a storm approaching or I’m going on holiday. Streamer, network switch, reclocker are on permanently except for above. My usual listening switch on sequence is as follows; 1st ; Pre-amp is switched on from standby ( volume set to zero), after it has fully powered up then; 2nd are Power amps (which are off), followed by DAC (one on standby / one switched off) , SACD Player on (from standby) depending on what I’m using, AND/OR, phono preamplifier (tube based & off). switch off sequence is ; 1st ; preamp volume set to zero, 2nd ; power amps switched off, 3rd ; preamp put to standby, 4th ; ancillary equipment switched off or put into standby. 1
LogicprObe Posted January 15 Posted January 15 All my computers run 24/7, as does the most used audio gear. The high powered stuff gets enabled when required with appropriate warm up! 1
rockeater Posted January 15 Posted January 15 52 minutes ago, LogicprObe said: All my computers run 24/7, as does the most used audio gear. You are then the exception that proves the rule that electronics people turn their gear off. To be fair, my main computer is also run 24/7 for close to a decade now (and I never know if it will start again after cleaning every couple of years). But audio gets turned off. I am not golden eared though. 1
frankn Posted January 15 Posted January 15 I find the idea of on/off/standby can be confusing. The usual rocker power switch at the rear of a unit switches the power off to the entire unit. Off/on buttons at the front or at an easily accessible location (especially if on a rack/shelf) or an electronic switch via an app may / may not switch off the unit. It may put the unit in standby or not. What is standby? Some manufacturers say it is when electricity is supplied to not all circuits but keeps the unit in a ready state to perform at optimal performance instantly…… what are the circuits that must be kept on, what can be switched off? I understand that tubes are self consuming when energised so leave them off when not in use. Capacitors, once formed have a life term depending on temperature and #hrs used, but initially need “forming”. So after initial burn-in perhaps switch them off? Clocks are interesting - often manufacturers say it takes days for clocks to stabilise however if you read the spec sheets of clocks (all types, oven, double oven etc.) say the clocks stabilise within an hour, often much less time. Is it the circuit that the clock governs that needs more time? I understand a unit (particularly streamers) may need to communicate over the internet so probably should be kept on. What else? It would be nice if manufacturers stated what their on/off switch actually does. 3
rockeater Posted January 16 Posted January 16 5 hours ago, frankn said: What is standby? A proper hardware switch (like the rocker at the back or one at the front that pushes a proper mechanical switch) cuts the power to the unit. Standby is accomplished by electronic switch and is used to conserve energy but to still offer remote control functionality. This includes network operated devices like streamers. The best scenario is when it is only remote controller receiver and associated circuitry that are kept alive in standby mode. If your unit only consumes a watt or two, this is what is happening (look in user manual for standby consumption figures). If more power is consumed, then the designer decided to keep more circuits powered. 5 hours ago, frankn said: Clocks are interesting - often manufacturers say it takes days for clocks to stabilise however if you read the spec sheets of clocks (all types, oven, double oven etc.) say the clocks stabilise within an hour, often much less time. Is it the circuit that the clock governs that needs more time? Don't worry about clocks too much. This is an industry that has sprung up to keep DIYers busy. Properly designed clock will get stable within a minute. The 1MHZ standard they had at a place where Codan radios were made and where I worked, had written on it, that 1 hour was necessary to get it stable and only then, the manufacturer guaranteed the frequency to be a perfect 1MHz. But when frequency counters were put on it, it was 1MHz after 30-40 seconds and would not deviate from that ever.
Batty Posted January 16 Posted January 16 My power amp doesn't have standby as it is class A it is OFF. 1
LogicprObe Posted January 16 Posted January 16 20 hours ago, rockeater said: You are then the exception that proves the rule that electronics people turn their gear off. To be fair, my main computer is also run 24/7 for close to a decade now (and I never know if it will start again after cleaning every couple of years). But audio gets turned off. I am not golden eared though. It's mainly because I'm old. Back when PCs first came out, if a PSU was going to fail, it was usually on startup and the danger was it could take other things with it like motherboards, memory or hard drives. Things are better these days but old habits die hard.
Batty Posted January 16 Posted January 16 "Things are better these days but old habits die hard." Ha ha, a bit like me. 2
frankn Posted January 16 Posted January 16 1 hour ago, Batty said: "Things are better these days but old habits die hard." Ha ha, a bit like me. There is a LOT of that about in this hobby. 1
Addicted to music Posted January 16 Posted January 16 2 hours ago, LogicprObe said: It's mainly because I'm old. Back when PCs first came out, if a PSU was going to fail, it was usually on startup and the danger was it could take other things with it like motherboards, memory or hard drives. Things are better these days but old habits die hard. Have clients that leave print servers on 24/7, rarely get switch off to be environmentally friendly, when they start to slow down, one of the things that goes before PSU etc are the cheap CPU fans, and the hestsink that it cools are totally clogged! 1
Addicted to music Posted January 16 Posted January 16 12 hours ago, frankn said: I find the idea of on/off/standby can be confusing. The usual rocker power switch at the rear of a unit switches the power off to the entire unit. Off/on buttons at the front or at an easily accessible location (especially if on a rack/shelf) or an electronic switch via an app may / may not switch off the unit. It may put the unit in standby or not. What is standby? Some manufacturers say it is when electricity is supplied to not all circuits but keeps the unit in a ready state to perform at optimal performance instantly…… what are the circuits that must be . Standby is an additional power circuit that is ready to provide full power to the product you are using. Standby circuits usually work with remote or software to enable power control. Standby shuts down high consumption circuits that the designer need to achieve environmental certifications, and can be powerednup on demand via means of remote or on line software control. The main on/off switch is a physical switch that physically connects and disconnects the mains, usually uses what known as a DTDP (double toggle double pole) that physically disconnects the mains and neutral. 12 hours ago, frankn said: I understand that tubes are self consuming when energised so leave them off when not in use. Capacitors, once formed have a life term depending on temperature and #hrs used, but initially need “forming”. So after initial burn-in perhaps switch them off? Electrolytic caps forming will only take minutes and not hrs, if it takes hours replace them. Yes they have a life span where temp and operating voltage/current is in the equation so keep the product turned off. 12 hours ago, frankn said: Clocks are interesting - often manufacturers say it takes days for clocks to stabilise however if you read the spec sheets of clocks (all types, oven, double oven etc.) say the clocks stabilise within an hour, often much less time. Is it the circuit that the clock governs that needs more time? I understand a unit (particularly streamers) may need to communicate over the internet so probably should be kept on. What else? It would be nice if manufacturers stated what their on/off switch actually does. If a product stated from a manufacturer saying that it takes days to stabilize, avoid the purchase. Clocks have PPL (phase lock loop) that keeps it in sync to a specific accuracy. Even the cheap SMSL/Topping dac has literally zero jitter or jitter so low that's its way under human hearing that's not even worth thinking about. It's just FUD spread by uneducated audiophiles who refuse to believe that jitter is a resolved issue 2
LogicprObe Posted January 17 Posted January 17 21 hours ago, Addicted to music said: Have clients that leave print servers on 24/7, rarely get switch off to be environmentally friendly, when they start to slow down, one of the things that goes before PSU etc are the cheap CPU fans, and the hestsink that it cools are totally clogged! Yeah...........that's why use Fractal cases with big case fans and liquid cooling on the CPU. 1
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