Active speakers - on/ off when not in use?

Hi-Fi Corner
1

Just got myself a pair of ATC 40As and am worried about leaving them on all the time.
As active speakers are powered up, what’s the general consensus regarding leaving them on?
Do you leave yours on all the time?
Many thanks.

2

What does your dealer recommend?

4

Ok, just found this from ATC .
“If you are using your ATC active loudspeakers regularly then leave them powered on. However, if they are not going to be used for a longer period of time – for example inactive for 6 hours or more – then it is best to power them off. This will help to extend the life of the components and also reduce energy consumption.”

I was going to delete the post, but I’ll leave it here. It might be of interest to some other members.

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5

So why do naim recommend leaving power amps permanently on??

6

Power amps? Not sure they do. Everything else yes.

But basically, because it sounds best and takes time to warm up. Preamps take a couple days to warm up from cold having no power supply or warm running circuitry. Digital sources about a day. Power amps about 30 mins to an hour.

I turn off my 250 and just power it on for the weekends.

The Naim docs pre New Classic stem from an age of cheaper electricity and lesser environmental concern. The New Classics have quiescent states for lower power so even when on, they’re not fully on unless used.

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7

Hi @Tony congratulations, excellent speakers. I have had a pair of 40As for a few years and don’t switch off unless I’m not using for a longer period, holidays etc.
I know some users do switch them off after use to minimise power consumption.

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8

I do this every night and switch them on around 18:00 after work.

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9

I leave my 40a’s on if I’ll be using them the next day, otherwise I turn them off. They warm up quickly and sound perfect within a few minutes of switching on. From memory it costs around £1 a day to leave them on, so there’s also the cost and environmental consideration.

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10

I try to go with ATC’s recommendation.

I switch them on half an hour before a listening session at least if I remember, but to my ears even if I forget they come on song pretty quickly.

Roger

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11

That’s what I’ve done with power amps for 30+ years now, inc integrated before that, though until maybe 20 years ago it was turn on only just before using. No problems ever, no amp failing as a consequence, despite use nearly every day.

12

I was referring specifically to active “ speakers” due to their design. I never switch off any of my Naim amps. Past and present.

13

Off

14

Unless I forget, I turn mine off. They don’t require an extended warm up, and do consume a fair bit of electricity if left on, sufficient ime to slightly warm up my 12x10 room

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15

Where the manufacturer offers recommendations eg ATC, Naim I follow them. Otherwise, power amps off, sources and preamps stay on.

Roger

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16

I asked ATC and SPL for their opinion on my preamp and my headphone amp… Both wrote me to turn on the devices when you start listening and turn them off at bedtime, it is not necessary to leave them on all night, especially since I do not hear any difference in listening after turning them on…

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17

Hence, following manufacturer’s suggestions, but Naim recommend leaving their preamps and sources on, or at least they did with OC and earlier series. Some on here have reported it taking several days for the gear to recover from a switch off.

Roger