I have always done as you said as it just makes sense to me. I will just add to that Before I turn anything on, I make sure my volume control on my intergrated amp is at "zero"
I love my 'fancy' hardware that has all the relays and timing sorted out. The only thing I hear is those relays. Having the separates that talk to each other and work through one remote is slick, too. 🤘
I have been doing this sequence for 20 years. Good thing Paul made a video of this. Also, I always turn the volume to zero first (on the preamp) before i turn the power amp/s off.
Back in the seventies we used:MAM to turn on : mixer first, then amp. To turn off Amp off first, then mixer. This was for pro audio. For highfi think of a preamp and mixer being the same thing.
I used an adjustable time ON relay to delay power amps turn on and a true off relay to delay power off of my preamps...all controlled thru the swtiched remote controlled power out of my AVR. Works perfectly for me.
Makes total sense... To turn ON = Source, then pre-amp, then amp. Turn OFF = Amp, pre-amp then sources last. Idea is to make sure nothing is amplified accidentally hence either amp last to turn on or amp first. to turn off.
Additionaly, to the sequence explained by Paul, thanks Sir!, I use to shut the volume completely off in my power amp/preamp before turning their power off. I hope it is a good practice. Is it right?
If your power amp has an internal relay for the speaker circuit having the volume down while that relay is transitioning between of and on will prevent the relay's contacts from degrading over time so it is a good practice to have the volume down.
Thumping (especially on shut down) often means the DC offset is not to spec, generally 0.00 or as close as you can get it without going to negative. Might as well do the bias as well after the DC offset is set.
With my little amazon tube pre-amp kit, i gotta do the same thing. There must be some kind of relay controlled trigger box I could implement, though havent found it yet.
'Ole Audiophile to Paul: You've quite a bunch of kewl followers here, they ask great questions. This one's easy, Source/preamp/amp. Always. Turn 'em off in opposite fashion, amp/preamp/source. Specifically to protect your gear from surges & such. Thanx.
question- I use the same sequence and always Mute the pre amp. But I do the sequence quickly , one by one. I do not wait more than a second or two in between powering on and off each of the components. Is that OK if pre amp is muted? Thanks.
I used to have the problem that my Exposure X used to blow the fuse when I turned the power on !! After finding the it was the small fuse to the amp itself which was blowing I then found that it was better to leave the Exposure switched On !! But I also find that if I'm not going away for long periods on holidays that it's ok to leave the system in stand bye mode which is no problem at all..
Paul, why not just leave the components on, all the time ?? I haven't had any of the system turned off in over 13 years. I do mute the preamp when done listening.
I still don’t understand what a pre-amp does and why I would need one. I have an integrated class A amplifier which apparently means it already includes a pre-amp. Yet is also has a dedicated input for a separate pre-amp. So I am left wondering why?
Paul, what do you think about not turning off amp, or integrated amp at all? There are some opinions that it should be never turned off, or very occasionally...
well...i'm not paul obviously. from a service tech's point of view though if there's no problems with thermal management & you use a ups leave your unit on. the inrush surge is hard on all the components even with advanced power management schemes on board. the big two to watch for though is to make sure that adequate ventilation for your amplifier is provided and remember that while idling the amplifier will be using a baseline power draw and often head units make considerable 'thumps' when being powered on. make sure the volume is all the way down after use.
@Douglas Blake Do you have any evidence to prove that statement? Perhaps a link to a valid study that shows your statement to be valid. I personally have a couple of amplifiers that I have been turning on and off for thirty years. How much has my power supply's lifetime been diminished?
@Douglas Blake Great you have 40 years as a service technician. Then you know that all electrical components have a life span that is measured in hours. Can you tell me what the average life span in hours of an average capacitor in a power supply would be? Can you also tell me how leaving equipment on all the time uses those hours of lifespan? Thank you for your expertise!🤔
@Douglas Blake I'm not out to impress anybody, I am questioning the authenticity of your expertise though. I have asked you several legitimate questions that someone with your supposed expertise should be able to answer but you dodge the questions. Anyone with rudimentary electronics knowledge knows that capacitors have a limited life span and that life span is rated in hours. Anyone that has a rudimentary knowledge of electronics knows that amplifiers generate heat which lowers the life span of electronic components. So anyone with rudimentary electronics knowledge knows that leaving an amplifier powered on will shorten the life of electronic components by using up the limited hours of life in the components faster as well as shortening the component's lifespan by exposing the components to constant heat. Somebody in their first weeks of study would of course understand this.
On one of my systems or the Adcom system, I have an Adcom power conditioner but also comes with delay turn on. The order is as follows: 1. Pre-amp first then power conditioner 2. Other source components 3. Amp on last. For shutting off: 1. It’s still preamp first 2. Amp goes off next 3. Other source components along with power conditioner. Pretty sure my other system works similar. It also has a power conditioner but this one looks more like a power strip or box. Both work fine. On the other system the subwoofer is connected to a different power strip and is kept constantly on.
What about adding a capacitor and zener diode between inline with the remote/trigger. To delay the turn on of the amplifier that way everything gets triggered at the same time and amplifier is delayed slightly by a second or two. Now if the amplifier has a thump best way would be a relay with slight delay after amp turns on.
In studios, we don't go through a laborious turning on things bit by bit. Especially in the old days with banks of tape machines and tons of outboard gear! We had a single power switch that powered up the entire tech mains for each studio. But we also had a 7.1 set up with big Quested speakers up front and a subwoofer buried in the wall. I like my ears, so no thumps please! One of our maintenance people came up with a little circuit that simply put a little delay between the amps and the monitors. Only a few seconds, but it was enough. Turning off wasn't a problem, so this was just for those hungover morning sessions.
I leave my source on all the time. My amps have a soft start and don’t start for a few seconds after they power up. Also the volume control on my pre is controlled with ladder resistors and not a volume pot.
have a “newer” Mitsubishi separate amp and preamp/tuner and I get major pops when turning the preamp on/off. to avoid this, I have to disable whichever pair of A or B speakers are connected to the amp before I power the preamp off. The amp itself does not have a dedicated power switch on the front or back so at best it goes into a standby mode, and is controlled by the preamp.
I use a speaker selector switch. Pre amp and sources first then the power amplifier then I connect the speakers. I do the opposite when I turn it off. The speaker selector switch is passive so it just disconnects the speaker cables.
Not a good idea if you have a tube power amp with an output transformer. Turning on a tube power amp with the speakers disconnected from the output transformer can cause damage to the transformer and output tubes. An output transformer is much happier with a short on the output than an open.
Alternatively, don’t turn anything off. When I finish a listening session, I turn the volume on the preamp down to minimum and switch on the mute facility. If you have any other devices with a volume control, such as a DAC, turn the volume on them down to minimum. At the start of your next listening session, simply return the volume to your normal listening level and your good to go. No waiting for your components to ‘warm up’, no waiting for capacitors to recharge! Now, some would argue that leaving your equipment running and staying warn will decrease it’s it’s longevity and there may be an element of truth in that. I would argue that continuously allowing electronics to warm up, cool down, warm up, cool down, is more damaging. Paul himself in previous videos has advocated leaving hifi gear turned on. The only downside, is maybe a slight increase in electrical consumption.😊
Agreed. Source and preamp in particular have a small power draw and benefit from being on constantly. Power amps other that class A or tube are also thrifty. Building my own stuff means I can put a switch where I want. I leave the digital side of my source on 7x24 as that stuff is much better under constant power and does not take much. The tube output section is a bit more power hungry so I leave it off and warm if up for a few minutes prior to use.
You’re making the case for ‘Standby’ mode which keeps the current flowing but at reduced levels. The damage done by truly removing power and forcing ‘cold starts’ is the stress the thermal expansion and contraction causes to solder joints, especially with older through-the-hole designs; surface mount technology is supposed to be more impervious to this kind of damage (and it better be, because it is more difficult to repair). One must also the damage done to the semiconductors themselves, heat is their primary enemy, so proper cooling is very important. I’m not sure if powering off and on helps or hurts them.
@Douglas Blake You make a good point, and I know you have the experience to back up your claim. Thank you for responding to my post with a helpful comment.
Great video on a simple but very important topic. In addition, I have a separate processor and power amp connected via trigger cable . When turning the power amp, a loud metal sound is heard, some kind of a mechanical circuit breaker, is it normal? Thank you
My sub is driven by secondary outputs on the preamp. I wait until the relay in the sub clicks off before turning the preamp off. If not, there’s a thump even with the volume all the way down.
I have a pre-amp and monoblocks (same brand) connected with DC triggers. When i turn the system on with the remote, the mono's turn on first and you feel the electricity rush into them. The pre is turning on and stabilising after them. How come? Shouldn't it be the opposite?
Generically speaking, though, if one's separate components- in this case, one's preamp and amp- both have a standby mode in which they're typically kept, is this sequence either irrelevant or less consequential?
Do without lights before music mate , get some oil lanterns , candles etc . You over on that side 9f the pond need to AY up and give your parliament a good ol clock work orange bashing in the chops . Anyways , we are fucked here in the states as well . Fuckin goons coming across the border from the South are getting a free ride on our backs . I call bollox on our system cheers 🥂
I always turn down the volume than power off. Then power off the power strip. It powers of all my peripherals (except the DAC because I was out of room on the strip :p). Other way around. Turn on powerstrip, then the amp, then raise volume.
Great advice. On a smart setup one has to fight the helpful (spy) software that dials home to inform on ones choices of programming. If detected I use my main which is right out front and center. lol
My pre-amp turns on "muted", and I never get any noise. So for my situation (and many other people's situation), it will not matter. But for Tom, in Durham, North Carolina (and others with that issue), then the power-on order does matter. Although I might be concerned over a non issue, the reason I turn on my amps first, is because I am assuming that they will momentarily suck a good deal of power from the electrical circuit, at power-on time. I do not want my other components (if they were already on), to be briefly starved of power. All components probably take a momentary, bigger than typical gulp of power, upon being powered on -- and I am assuming that the amps take the biggest gulps, which I why I turn them on first. Turning off, for my components, I usually turn off my DAC and pre-amp first, simply because I have their remotes in my hands. I never get any noise from doing so. Paul is correct, for Tom, in Durham, North Carolina's situation. And Paul's recommendation is probably fine for everyone (myself included). But if you have no issues (such as my situation), I see no compelling reason to do things differently.
@Douglas Blake "Best bet... Leave the AC on and turn things off and on from their designated front panel switches." By off, I meant by the conventional power buttons. That was what I conveyed by writing: "simply because I have their remotes in my hands" Standby is what nearly all modern equipment goes to, and not actually being off. Remotes put equipment into "standby" -- not "off". But even from "standby" to "on", there is a momentary larger than typical draw for power.
@Douglas Blake Can you prove that statement? Why would the system draw 10 times more current than normal? The A.C. is connected to a transformer why would an idle transformer draw such a heavy current? Current and voltage are not stored up in an incomplete circuit and the circuit is typically run through a 15 or 20-amp fuse that would trip on such high demand.
@@JonAnderhub If you have, for example, two high current monoblock amps that are powered off, and you flip their switch to "On", at the same time, then if you have a lamp on that same circuit, your lamp will blink. The lamp will return to normal in a split second -- but it will have blinked.
@@richardt3371 My preamp/DAC/streamer consumes 15 watts when fully powered. Toasting a single slice of bread consumes more power than this thing uses in a week. Pick your battles.
@@JonAnderhub "2500 watts per week" doesn't mean anything. It's kind of like saying my car uses 140 horsepower per hour. I think you're trying to say it consumes 2.5 kWh per week, which is about right, and at my current domestic electrical rate is about 26 cents per week. I also live in an apartment, which overall is way more efficient than a standalone house. How efficient is your lifestyle?
@@gotham61 I turn off my equipment so my lifestyle is 2500 watts (2.5 kWh if you prefer) better than yours. Actually based on your lack of concern I would be willing to say my life is significantly more environmentally friendly than yours.😁
My kid accidentally (ok, he did it intentionally) turned off my tube preamp once while the system was playing and the sound the solid state power amp made through the speakers sounded frighteningly like money being burned. Thankfully, the speakers and the power amp survived to serve another day.
Then Paul has a set of speakers, some amplifiers, a preamp, a DAC, a Steamer, a power conditioner, some power cables, and some speaker cables that he wants to sell you!💵
Sir, You should give the age of these guys writing you example Tom age 10. From,X place. Tommy Gun: Unless it's tubes. Never turn your shit off Think like a light bulb. Only Burns out when turned on. Also, warm equipment sounds Better than cold. Forget about the first 1min paul selling a bs thing.
The right way to turn on and off your stereo system: Never turn off the amps unless you leave the house for days at a time ;) Seems like it is just better overall. Always warm electronics ready to play it's best is very nice :) Standby still makes the amps go cold so I don't even use that. They just stay ON 24/7. Get a little back in the room as heat as a bonus.
What difference does it make if the amp "goes cold"? What components are affected by being "cold" and how long do think it takes for amp components to warm up?
If someone hears a thumping noise while power up or down a system. U definitely have a system that is to be thrown in 🚮 Even a little pop is unacceptable these days. Sorry!!!😂
Turning on and off *Solid State* audio components actually shortens their life! Leave your system *on* continuously unless severe lightning is in the area and you don't have *proper protection* installed on your AC. Tubes are another animal completely. This guy actually put out a video 2-3 years ago advocating leaving SS components on all the time. Then again, he contradicts himself often...
Do you have any actual proof or links to valid studies that prove your statement? I have a couple of amps that I have been turning on and off for 30 years and I would like to know how much of their useful life has been diminished.
@Douglas Blake I am question the authenticity of your expertise though. I have asked you several legitimate questions that someone with your supposed expertise should be able to answer but you dodge the questions. Anyone with rudimentary electronics knowledge knows that capacitors have a limited life span and that life span is rated in hours. Anyone that has a rudimentary knowledge of electronics knows that amplifiers generate heat which lowers the life span of electronic components. So anyone with rudimentary electronics knowledge knows that leaving an amplifier powered on will shorten the life of electronic components by using up the limited hours of life in the components faster as well as shortening the component's lifespan by exposing the components to constant heat. Somebody in their first weeks of study would of course understand this.
@@JonAnderhub If you have good equipment ~ I had a Sony 1130 Integrated amp, always worked great! Always used the front throw power switch; as Paul says, leaving the unit plugged, permits the unit to maintain a little, `keeper,' voltage, so that it will be on immediately when the front switch is moved to, `On.' In the, `old days,' good CRT Television sets did this, so that the picture would come up quickly ~
Aqui no Brasil, usamos um SEQUENCIADOR AC, para ligar equipamentos em HOME CINES, STUDIOS, ETC. 2) Para o som automotivo, existem sequenciadores tambem, que comandam o REMOTO, dos equipamentos. ua-cam.com/video/P8Y0ddvgKDU/v-deo.html
@@Douglas_Blake Avoiding a DC jump on the output is not trivial but can be more difficult in a power amp (where you have to live with it) than a line level amp (where you can power on before power amp). I recently bought a KEF active speaker which has a DC jump on a subwoofer output and it really maddens me.
It does matter. I usually use integrated amps and picked up cheap Fosi. Monoblocks recently and a Schiit preamp. Messing around with my turntable I forgot the sequence and had a massive speaker thump which a) scared the life out of me and terrified me I had affected my (expensive) speakers. Don't do it kids.
![If you can't hear this then you're not an audiophile [See description for link to followup video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/48PxwspDvrE/mqdefault.jpg)
I like Paul. He is consistently constructive.
I have always done as you said as it just makes sense to me.
I will just add to that Before I turn anything on, I make sure my volume control on my intergrated amp is at "zero"
I follow that same sequence, and in addition, I turn the volume knob to zero before turning the pre amp off.
Especially if you have children in the house. Little ones like to turn knobs and your amp at max will be a bad thing.
Yes,ive always done this too.Just to be safe.
Nearly perfect instructions Paul. An old Hafler - Dynaco combo that I had years ago was like that and that’s the sequence that I used.
I love my 'fancy' hardware that has all the relays and timing sorted out. The only thing I hear is those relays. Having the separates that talk to each other and work through one remote is slick, too. 🤘
I have been doing this sequence for 20 years. Good thing Paul made a video of this. Also, I always turn the volume to zero first (on the preamp) before i turn the power amp/s off.
How old are you.
I've been doing that sequence for a while. The only thing I'll add is before turning power amp(s) on, pre-amp volume is all the way down.
Back in the seventies we used:MAM to turn on : mixer first, then amp. To turn off Amp off first, then mixer. This was for pro audio. For highfi think of a preamp and mixer being the same thing.
Repeat of my question answered by Paul. Good question 👍🏽👍🏽
I used an adjustable time ON relay to delay power amps turn on and a true off relay to delay power off of my preamps...all controlled thru the swtiched remote controlled power out of my AVR. Works perfectly for me.
And make sure the volume is low before turning it on or off. Only gradually increase the volume when turning it up
I’ve never heard of this, and have been turning on my amp first for 30 years with no issues.
Nothing wrong with that. But if you had the power on thump in your system, you'd be doing it the other way.
Makes total sense... To turn ON = Source, then pre-amp, then amp. Turn OFF = Amp, pre-amp then sources last. Idea is to make sure nothing is amplified accidentally hence either amp last to turn on or amp first. to turn off.
Only matters on crap equipment aka equipment for audiofools
@@Harald_Reindl
True Harald, you don't have to worry with your Close 'n Play record player. Just don't forget to close and open.................
@@Mark-lq3sb moron come back after you invested 10k $ in room acoustics....
Nah.. I never ever turn my amps off at all. Always on.
@@Oystein87 too much money? not that i couldn't afford it, but throwing money out of the window is pretty dumb
So true with my Harman Kardon Citation I, II, III. They drive my Altec Lansing Model 19s which are sensitive to the 'thump'.
Yes. I have 2 pairs of 19's in different locations in my house. They are sensitive alright.
you are 100 percent right. I also had to search the first time. what should come out first
Good question I always wonder that
Fairly sophisticated....ohh so modest! Keep up the great work 👍
Additionaly, to the sequence explained by Paul, thanks Sir!, I use to shut the volume completely off in my power amp/preamp before turning their power off. I hope it is a good practice. Is it right?
If your power amp has an internal relay for the speaker circuit having the volume down while that relay is transitioning between of and on will prevent the relay's contacts from degrading over time so it is a good practice to have the volume down.
Thumping (especially on shut down) often means the DC offset is not to spec, generally 0.00 or as close as you can get it without going to negative. Might as well do the bias as well after the DC offset is set.
Thanks Paul, that is great advice.
With my little amazon tube pre-amp kit, i gotta do the same thing. There must be some kind of relay controlled trigger box I could implement, though havent found it yet.
'Ole Audiophile to Paul: You've quite a bunch of kewl followers here, they ask great questions. This one's easy, Source/preamp/amp. Always. Turn 'em off in opposite fashion, amp/preamp/source. Specifically to protect your gear from surges & such. Thanx.
One might want to give the amplifier a head start on the off cycle, it often takes a while to drain themselves of current.
question- I use the same sequence and always Mute the pre amp. But I do the sequence quickly , one by one. I do not wait more than a second or two in between powering on and off each of the components. Is that OK if pre amp is muted? Thanks.
The first commandment of any switching event (on/off, source to another source) is to start by turning the volume down all the way, right?
I used to have the problem that my Exposure X used to blow the fuse when I turned the power on !! After finding the it was the small fuse to the amp itself which was blowing I then found that it was better to leave the Exposure switched On !! But I also find that if I'm not going away for long periods on holidays that it's ok to leave the system in stand bye mode which is no problem at all..
Paul, why not just leave the components on, all the time ?? I haven't had any of the system turned off in over 13 years. I do mute the preamp when done listening.
I still don’t understand what a pre-amp does and why I would need one. I have an integrated class A amplifier which apparently means it already includes a pre-amp. Yet is also has a dedicated input for a separate pre-amp. So I am left wondering why?
Paul, what do you think about not turning off amp, or integrated amp at all? There are some opinions that it should be never turned off, or very occasionally...
well...i'm not paul obviously. from a service tech's point of view though if there's no problems with thermal management & you use a ups leave your unit on. the inrush surge is hard on all the components even with advanced power management schemes on board. the big two to watch for though is to make sure that adequate ventilation for your amplifier is provided and remember that while idling the amplifier will be using a baseline power draw and often head units make considerable 'thumps' when being powered on. make sure the volume is all the way down after use.
He addressed that a while ago and basically said it was best to leave it on
@Douglas Blake Do you have any evidence to prove that statement?
Perhaps a link to a valid study that shows your statement to be valid.
I personally have a couple of amplifiers that I have been turning on and off for thirty years.
How much has my power supply's lifetime been diminished?
@Douglas Blake Great you have 40 years as a service technician.
Then you know that all electrical components have a life span that is measured in hours.
Can you tell me what the average life span in hours of an average capacitor in a power supply would be?
Can you also tell me how leaving equipment on all the time uses those hours of lifespan?
Thank you for your expertise!🤔
@Douglas Blake I'm not out to impress anybody, I am questioning the authenticity of your expertise though.
I have asked you several legitimate questions that someone with your supposed expertise should be able to answer but you dodge the questions.
Anyone with rudimentary electronics knowledge knows that capacitors have a limited life span and that life span is rated in hours.
Anyone that has a rudimentary knowledge of electronics knows that amplifiers generate heat which lowers the life span of electronic components.
So anyone with rudimentary electronics knowledge knows that leaving an amplifier powered on will shorten the life of electronic components by using up the limited hours of life in the components faster as well as shortening the component's lifespan by exposing the components to constant heat.
Somebody in their first weeks of study would of course understand this.
Thank you sir. That is very useful information
One thing that surprises me is that so many amps restart at the last used volume rather than a kinder/gentler soft preset volume.
Why? That's how all amps work.
Turn the volume down before shutting the amp down, problem solved
That’s because they aren’t ‘sophisticated’. 😉
Many decent power ampplifiers have a soft start relay, so they shouldn't wump the speakers. I've always done power in the sequence Paul says.
On one of my systems or the Adcom system, I have an Adcom power conditioner but also comes with delay turn on. The order is as follows:
1. Pre-amp first then power conditioner
2. Other source components
3. Amp on last.
For shutting off:
1. It’s still preamp first
2. Amp goes off next
3. Other source components along with power conditioner.
Pretty sure my other system works similar. It also has a power conditioner but this one looks more like a power strip or box. Both work fine.
On the other system the subwoofer is connected to a different power strip and is kept constantly on.
Why wouldn't shut down be amp first? After that doesn't matter what happens.
@@Albee213 I’m just reporting how the Adcom power conditioner behaves. Don’t shoot the messenger.
Very useful knowledge. Thank you
What about adding a capacitor and zener diode between inline with the remote/trigger. To delay the turn on of the amplifier that way everything gets triggered at the same time and amplifier is delayed slightly by a second or two. Now if the amplifier has a thump best way would be a relay with slight delay after amp turns on.
In studios, we don't go through a laborious turning on things bit by bit. Especially in the old days with banks of tape machines and tons of outboard gear! We had a single power switch that powered up the entire tech mains for each studio. But we also had a 7.1 set up with big Quested speakers up front and a subwoofer buried in the wall. I like my ears, so no thumps please! One of our maintenance people came up with a little circuit that simply put a little delay between the amps and the monitors. Only a few seconds, but it was enough. Turning off wasn't a problem, so this was just for those hungover morning sessions.
I leave my source on all the time. My amps have a soft start and don’t start for a few seconds after they power up. Also the volume control on my pre is controlled with ladder resistors and not a volume pot.
Always great advice!
have a “newer” Mitsubishi separate amp and preamp/tuner and I get major pops when turning the preamp on/off. to avoid this, I have to disable whichever pair of A or B speakers are connected to the amp before I power the preamp off. The amp itself does not have a dedicated power switch on the front or back so at best it goes into a standby mode, and is controlled by the preamp.
I use a speaker selector switch. Pre amp and sources first then the power amplifier then I connect the speakers. I do the opposite when I turn it off. The speaker selector switch is passive so it just disconnects the speaker cables.
Not a good idea if you have a tube power amp with an output transformer. Turning on a tube power amp with the speakers disconnected from the output transformer can cause damage to the transformer and output tubes. An output transformer is much happier with a short on the output than an open.
Alternatively, don’t turn anything off. When I finish a listening session, I turn the volume on the preamp down to minimum and switch on the mute facility. If you have any other devices with a volume control, such as a DAC, turn the volume on them down to minimum. At the start of your next listening session, simply return the volume to your normal listening level and your good to go. No waiting for your components to ‘warm up’, no waiting for capacitors to recharge!
Now, some would argue that leaving your equipment running and staying warn will decrease it’s it’s longevity and there may be an element of truth in that. I would argue that continuously allowing electronics to warm up, cool down, warm up, cool down, is more damaging. Paul himself in previous videos has advocated leaving hifi gear turned on.
The only downside, is maybe a slight increase in electrical consumption.😊
Agreed. Source and preamp in particular have a small power draw and benefit from being on constantly. Power amps other that class A or tube are also thrifty.
Building my own stuff means I can put a switch where I want. I leave the digital side of my source on 7x24 as that stuff is much better under constant power and does not take much. The tube output section is a bit more power hungry so I leave it off and warm if up for a few minutes prior to use.
@@user-od9iz9cv1w 👍
You’re making the case for ‘Standby’ mode which keeps the current flowing but at reduced levels. The damage done by truly removing power and forcing ‘cold starts’ is the stress the thermal expansion and contraction causes to solder joints, especially with older through-the-hole designs; surface mount technology is supposed to be more impervious to this kind of damage (and it better be, because it is more difficult to repair). One must also the damage done to the semiconductors themselves, heat is their primary enemy, so proper cooling is very important. I’m not sure if powering off and on helps or hurts them.
@Douglas Blake You make a good point, and I know you have the experience to back up your claim. Thank you for responding to my post with a helpful comment.
I have integrated amp. When i shut it down, first i turn volume to 0. Then shut other things. Turning back on, then volume up last.
Great video on a simple but very important topic.
In addition, I have a separate processor and power amp connected via trigger cable . When turning the power amp, a loud metal sound is heard, some kind of a mechanical circuit breaker, is it normal? Thank you
That's the sound of a relay, an electrically controlled physical switch.
@@charlienyc1 Thank you very much.
I usually just use the power button.
Good choice!!!
Hi what about the volume of the amp.where should it be when turning on and off
My sub is driven by secondary outputs on the preamp. I wait until the relay in the sub clicks off before turning the preamp off. If not, there’s a thump even with the volume all the way down.
I tended to do that instinctively anyway, even though I have an integrated amp.
I leave my class B amps powered on 24/7. They go on standby when not in use, but they always have power.
I have a pre-amp and monoblocks (same brand) connected with DC triggers.
When i turn the system on with the remote, the mono's turn on first and you feel the electricity rush into them.
The pre is turning on and stabilising after them.
How come?
Shouldn't it be the opposite?
Power surges from lightning strike?
Yes ~ Can be tremendous!
Seems I have been doing it completely backwards forever never had any issues but I guess I will change my ways
Generically speaking, though, if one's separate components- in this case, one's preamp and amp- both have a standby mode in which they're typically kept, is this sequence either irrelevant or less consequential?
The sequence is ALWAYS irrelevant
Can't afford to turn mine on atmo in the UK 😟
Sad but true.
Do without lights before music mate , get some oil lanterns , candles etc . You over on that side 9f the pond need to AY up and give your parliament a good ol clock work orange bashing in the chops . Anyways , we are fucked here in the states as well . Fuckin goons coming across the border from the South are getting a free ride on our backs . I call bollox on our system cheers 🥂
Never turn it off😁
I turn off 90% of the system just not the power amps.
Sources you do.
@@Roof_Pizza same just turn off speaker outputs.
Yeah but if you’re running heavy draw class A amps, leaving them on all the time kills the electric bill!
Why?
I get a huge pop in my right channel when my Cambridge Audio streamer dac fires up. Nothing seems to help.
I put switches on the speaker circuits left and right
you explained the shit outta that sequence yo
What happens if the prim and amp turn on at the exact same ? For example , if the units were on before a power outage and then power is restored.
I always turn down the volume than power off. Then power off the power strip. It powers of all my peripherals (except the DAC because I was out of room on the strip :p). Other way around. Turn on powerstrip, then the amp, then raise volume.
Just unplug the power cord - BING !!! 🤣🤣🤣
Bada Bing, Bada BOOM!
Should one also turn down the volume?
How come my speakers don't make an odd noise when I turn off my AV receiver first and then my dedicated power amps connected to the receiver last?
Great advice. On a smart setup one has to fight the helpful (spy) software that dials home to inform on ones choices of programming. If detected I use my main which is right out front and center. lol
I just pull the plug by holding the cable each time
Kawoonf? Love It!
My pre-amp turns on "muted", and I never get any noise. So for my situation (and many other people's situation), it will not matter.
But for Tom, in Durham, North Carolina (and others with that issue), then the power-on order does matter.
Although I might be concerned over a non issue, the reason I turn on my amps first, is because I am assuming that they will momentarily suck a good deal of power from the electrical circuit, at power-on time. I do not want my other components (if they were already on), to be briefly starved of power.
All components probably take a momentary, bigger than typical gulp of power, upon being powered on -- and I am assuming that the amps take the biggest gulps, which I why I turn them on first.
Turning off, for my components, I usually turn off my DAC and pre-amp first, simply because I have their remotes in my hands. I never get any noise from doing so.
Paul is correct, for Tom, in Durham, North Carolina's situation. And Paul's recommendation is probably fine for everyone (myself included). But if you have no issues (such as my situation), I see no compelling reason to do things differently.
@Douglas Blake "Best bet... Leave the AC on and turn things off and on from their designated front panel switches."
By off, I meant by the conventional power buttons. That was what I conveyed by writing: "simply because I have their remotes in my hands"
Standby is what nearly all modern equipment goes to, and not actually being off. Remotes put equipment into "standby" -- not "off".
But even from "standby" to "on", there is a momentary larger than typical draw for power.
@Douglas Blake Can you prove that statement?
Why would the system draw 10 times more current than normal?
The A.C. is connected to a transformer why would an idle transformer draw such a heavy current?
Current and voltage are not stored up in an incomplete circuit and the circuit is typically run through a 15 or 20-amp fuse that would trip on such high demand.
@@JonAnderhub If you have, for example, two high current monoblock amps that are powered off, and you flip their switch to "On", at the same time, then if you have a lamp on that same circuit, your lamp will blink.
The lamp will return to normal in a split second -- but it will have blinked.
Mine is hooked up with triggers, so it takes care of it's self.
I'm lazy, bought a power sequencer.
Smart!
I just let the Class A poweramp stay on. That way it keeps my home nice and warm ;P
Turn off speaker outputs that's all I do. Just in case of electrical failure and get DC voltage on my speakers 🙂
I haven't turned my system off in 6yrs
Or just leave the sources and preamp on. Most use little power, and will sound better if continuously left on
Spoken like a man who really cares for the planet he leaves his children.
@@richardt3371 My preamp/DAC/streamer consumes 15 watts when fully powered. Toasting a single slice of bread consumes more power than this thing uses in a week. Pick your battles.
@@gotham61 That's over 2500 watts per week.
That's considerably more than toasting a piece of bread.
Richard T's point is a valid one.
@@JonAnderhub "2500 watts per week" doesn't mean anything. It's kind of like saying my car uses 140 horsepower per hour. I think you're trying to say it consumes 2.5 kWh per week, which is about right, and at my current domestic electrical rate is about 26 cents per week. I also live in an apartment, which overall is way more efficient than a standalone house.
How efficient is your lifestyle?
@@gotham61 I turn off my equipment so my lifestyle is 2500 watts (2.5 kWh if you prefer) better than yours.
Actually based on your lack of concern I would be willing to say my life is significantly more environmentally friendly than yours.😁
can't you just press the button?
Make sure all levels down then remember;
AMPS - ON LAST, OFF FIRST.
How do you become a less critical listener?
But always with volume down, up or down!
My kid accidentally (ok, he did it intentionally) turned off my tube preamp once while the system was playing and the sound the solid state power amp made through the speakers sounded frighteningly like money being burned. Thankfully, the speakers and the power amp survived to serve another day.
What about the kid?🤕
@@JonAnderhub he's certified in wiring and plumbing today ... and has no love for hifi due to a bad incident that happened in his childhood 😁
Should the preamp volume control be maxed all the way up when you flip her on? 🌩‼
If you want to scare the cat. Yes
LET ER RIP!!!
I leave my power amps on, everything else gets switched on and off. That way my amps are warm and ready to go...
The tide comes in, the tide goes out.
My butler turns off my hifi system.
Then Paul has a set of speakers, some amplifiers, a preamp, a DAC, a Steamer, a power conditioner, some power cables, and some speaker cables that he wants to sell you!💵
Just don't turn them off lol
Interesting, I do the opposite of what Paul says and I’ve never had any issues or “thumps” 🤷♂️
Sir, You should give the age of these guys writing you example Tom age 10. From,X place.
Tommy Gun: Unless it's tubes. Never turn your shit off
Think like a light bulb. Only
Burns out when turned on. Also, warm equipment sounds
Better than cold. Forget about the first 1min paul selling a bs thing.
my naim have no power switch is alway on
The right way to turn on and off your stereo system: Never turn off the amps unless you leave the house for days at a time ;) Seems like it is just better overall. Always warm electronics ready to play it's best is very nice :)
Standby still makes the amps go cold so I don't even use that. They just stay ON 24/7. Get a little back in the room as heat as a bonus.
What difference does it make if the amp "goes cold"?
What components are affected by being "cold" and how long do think it takes for amp components to warm up?
@@JonAnderhub It sounds harsher when cold and smoother when warm. Pretty normal.
Not the point so don't even care about that..
It take too long.
If someone hears a thumping noise while power up or down a system. U definitely have a system that is to be thrown in 🚮
Even a little pop is unacceptable these days. Sorry!!!😂
Don't turn it off.... ! EVER!
I just leave everything on
Can you turn your adverts off really annoying! plus they are scam adverts most of the time
@@Justin-fy7xk I don't think he's shot a few bucks
@@Douglas_Blake I might have to do that I use the app
1.turn down volume
Lol so many comments about such a simple thing
😀😀😀
On: cd/preamp/amp
Off: amp/preamp/cd
Thank you for being the first, so we are spared a narcissists claiming he is "First !!!"
Turning on and off *Solid State* audio components actually shortens their life! Leave your system *on* continuously unless severe lightning is in the area and you don't have *proper protection* installed on your AC. Tubes are another animal completely.
This guy actually put out a video 2-3 years ago advocating leaving SS components on all the time. Then again, he contradicts himself often...
Do you have any actual proof or links to valid studies that prove your statement?
I have a couple of amps that I have been turning on and off for 30 years and I would like to know how much of their useful life has been diminished.
@Douglas Blake So the answer would be no you don't have any proof that your statement is true?
@Douglas Blake I am question the authenticity of your expertise though.
I have asked you several legitimate questions that someone with your supposed expertise should be able to answer but you dodge the questions.
Anyone with rudimentary electronics knowledge knows that capacitors have a limited life span and that life span is rated in hours.
Anyone that has a rudimentary knowledge of electronics knows that amplifiers generate heat which lowers the life span of electronic components.
So anyone with rudimentary electronics knowledge knows that leaving an amplifier powered on will shorten the life of electronic components by using up the limited hours of life in the components faster as well as shortening the component's lifespan by exposing the components to constant heat.
Somebody in their first weeks of study would of course understand this.
@@JonAnderhub If you have good equipment ~ I had a Sony 1130 Integrated amp, always worked great! Always used the front throw power switch; as Paul says, leaving the unit plugged, permits the unit to maintain a little, `keeper,' voltage, so that it will be on immediately when the front switch is moved to, `On.' In the, `old days,' good CRT Television sets did this, so that the picture would come up quickly ~
Aqui no Brasil, usamos um SEQUENCIADOR AC, para ligar equipamentos em HOME CINES, STUDIOS, ETC. 2) Para o som automotivo, existem sequenciadores tambem, que comandam o REMOTO, dos equipamentos. ua-cam.com/video/P8Y0ddvgKDU/v-deo.html
Audio gear that is not designed to keep the output stable during power on is poorly designed. Better is not to own it.
@@Douglas_Blake Avoiding a DC jump on the output is not trivial but can be more difficult in a power amp (where you have to live with it) than a line level amp (where you can power on before power amp). I recently bought a KEF active speaker which has a DC jump on a subwoofer output and it really maddens me.
Proper sequence - really? - does not matter - get a life!
It does matter. I usually use integrated amps and picked up cheap Fosi. Monoblocks recently and a Schiit preamp. Messing around with my turntable I forgot the sequence and had a massive speaker thump which a) scared the life out of me and terrified me I had affected my (expensive) speakers.
Don't do it kids.
beginning to end.....signal path source to endpoint and reverse for shutdown.
it was my first thought as i've been doing it for years.
Durham's beginning...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartlett_S._Durham