Leave it on all the time, or turn it off?

[Blumlein 88]

I've mostly left everything on if it wasn't vacuum tube.

I used to wonder about it and which was really best. With everything either low power draw or class D (low idle current) I just leave it on.

Now rationally, if it were a big power amp I'd see to it the unit limits in-rush current or modify it so that it does. If it is class D amp or any other device, I'd say turning it on and off is fine.

Even with the in-rush current it may not make much sense. You do get voltage spikes now and again. If your device is always on, it will get every single one of them. All it takes is one in a decade which is lots more than in-rush current to hurt something.

 

[amper42]

If you want to protect your gear turn your electronics off and unplug it from the wall when not in use. This process has provided me with hardware that's lasted way past it's normal life.

 

[Rockdog]

If you want to protect your gear turn your electronics off and unplug it from the wall when not in use. This process has provided me with hardware that's lasted way past it's normal life.

I live in a high-lightening area in Colorado, I often unplug from the wall when weather is expected. That seems like a solid idea.

 

[egellings]

I use vacuum tube equipment I built myself, and I turn it off if I am not going to use it for several hours. I have NTC inrush limiters built into the equipment and the internal voltages come up slowly at turn-on, so there's no damaging inrush current to worry about. In that sort of a setting, I think the tubes will have a longer lifespan. Never had a heater filament go pop at turn-on on me.