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Post by larlane on Apr 26, 2013 1:38:06 GMT -5
I know this has been controversial topic on other forums, but I'd like Emo owners to weigh in. I am using an Onkyo 818 as a preamp. Unfortunately, it has 12 v triggers for zones 2 & 3, but does not have a trigger out for the main zone. Why have pre outs and no trigger for the main zone?
Anyway, I rigged a 12v adapter to a smart strip that will power on the amp when I power up the 818. Problem solved.
Then, I wired my outdoor speakers to zone 2 (powered by the Onkyo amp). I can use a Droid app to control the content and volume. I have access to all my music files, Pandora and about a zillion free online radio stations from around the world- very nice.
The problem is that I cannot power on the 818 from my Droid unless the 818 is in network standby mode. When network standby is activated, there is always some current that goes from the 818 to the smart strip. So, the 12 volt trigger never shuts down the amp.
Bottom line. If I choose to set the 818 to network standby (thus having the XPA 5 constantly on), is this harmful to the amp? How much electricity am I burning by leaving it on?
This is purely a convenience issue for me, but there seems to be a huge debate on whether it is generally good or bad to leave an amp on.
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Post by Boomzilla on Apr 26, 2013 5:47:57 GMT -5
The consensus of people that I've known over the years who actually know something about electronics assure me that there is no reason to repeatedly shut down and turn on your electronics. They say that:
1. The amount of power used on standby is insignificant
2. The electronics, being warm continuously, avoid thermal expansion/contraction cycles
3. It sounds better
This is my experience also. I leave the (solid-state) power on.
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Post by tme110 on Apr 26, 2013 8:59:01 GMT -5
If you're talking about the amp being on but not used - my XPA-5 draws at least an amp with no sound coming out and I consider that to be quite a bit and it's not worth my power bill going up, if your talking in standby (yellow light) then that's basically what its for and I haven't noticed a current draw in that state.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Apr 26, 2013 12:46:00 GMT -5
I think leaving electrical equipment on wastes electricity with little benefit, and as tme110 notes 1 amp is significant. Most electronic equipment stabilizes within a few minutes and the value of being constantly powered is minimal. I feel one power cycle per day is a good compromise and also minimizes any 'power on' issues.
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Post by geebo on Apr 26, 2013 13:08:06 GMT -5
Mine is controlled by the trigger and some days it may never turn on and other days it may get turned off and on several times. Personally, I don't like leaving my stuff on when not in use.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Apr 26, 2013 14:52:20 GMT -5
I should add that if you use a Harmony remote, you could program a macro to make the Onkyo's zone 3 trigger turn on with the main zone (hence triggering your XPA-5). I used this method with my former Onkyo 5008, I found a thread on AVS that described the process in detail.
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Post by geebo on Apr 26, 2013 15:26:34 GMT -5
I should add that if you use a Harmony remote, you could program a macro to make the Onkyo's zone 3 trigger turn on with the main zone (hence triggering your XPA-5). I used this method with my former Onkyo 5008, I found a thread on AVS that described the process in detail. That also worked with my Onk 807. |
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Post by yves on Apr 26, 2013 17:12:12 GMT -5
The power drawn by the XPA-2 is about 45 Watts if powered on when no music is playing. I suppose the XPA-5 is practically the same in this regard. I leave my DAC, my UMC-200, my Airmotiv 5s and my XPA-2 powered on, for the reasons pointed out by boomzilla plus the fact it helps to keep out humidity / condensation during cold winter times.
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Post by ocezam on Apr 26, 2013 19:17:17 GMT -5
but does not have a trigger out for the main zone. Why have pre outs and no trigger for the main zone? It's a childish and immature ploy by Onkyo to get you to buy their more expensive Integra stuff. I was actually told this in an email from Onkyo when I bought my TX-NR3009. Because of this, I doubt I'll buy any other Onkyo products. Anyway, I rigged a 12v adapter to a smart strip that will power on the amp when I power up the 818. Problem solved. Exactly what I did. Can't help with your decision to leave the XPA-5 on or not, Lot's of good advice to choose from here though. ... |
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Post by garbulky on Apr 26, 2013 19:20:05 GMT -5
My UPA-2 (and DAC) has been left on for as long as I possibly can leave it on usually several days to a week. I find it sounds better after about 1-2 days. It's very subtle. I could not point it out to you blindfolded. But after a few days, you go, hold on, it sounds better. Things just gel a bit better.
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Apr 26, 2013 20:09:09 GMT -5
Mine is controlled by the trigger and some days it may never turn on and other days it may get turned off and on several times. Personally, I don't like leaving my stuff on when not in use. Exactly how my power amplifiers are treated. |
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Post by roadrunner on Apr 26, 2013 20:39:21 GMT -5
I remember when this question was brought up several years ago. Lonnie came on and told us that when the XPA-5 is in Stand By mode that it used about as much electricity as a standard "nite light"; and he said that as long as the power amps have adequate ventilation it would fine to just leave them in Stand By Mode. I was surprised to learn that the big X Series power amps only used as much power as a little bitty nite lite. ;D ;D
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hemster
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Post by hemster on Apr 26, 2013 22:28:14 GMT -5
I remember when this question was brought up several years ago. Lonnie came on and told us that when the XPA-5 is in Stand By mode that it used about as much electricity as a standard "nite light"; and he said that as long as the power amps have adequate ventilation it would fine to just leave them in Stand By Mode. I was surprised to learn that the big X Series power amps only used as much power as a little bitty nite lite. ;D ;D In real terms a night light doesn't burn that much electricity. Of the order of a dime a night...  |
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Post by yves on Apr 27, 2013 2:46:04 GMT -5
In real terms a night light doesn't burn that much electricity. Kito (the dog in the video commercial) can't be changed anyway, so... |
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Post by ntculenuf on Apr 27, 2013 9:36:32 GMT -5
I should add that if you use a Harmony remote, you could program a macro to make the Onkyo's zone 3 trigger turn on with the main zone (hence triggering your XPA-5). I used this method with my former Onkyo 5008, I found a thread on AVS that described the process in detail. This is what i am currently doing with my onkyo 3010. i do you use the second zone also for outdoors. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2013 8:21:27 GMT -5
I concur, Dr. Seminole...  Mine is controlled by the trigger and some days it may never turn on and other days it may get turned off and on several times. Personally, I don't like leaving my stuff on when not in use. Exactly how my power amplifiers are treated. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Apr 28, 2013 8:49:37 GMT -5
Since there's advice both ways, try this:
Leave the equipment ON overnight and then listen.
Leave the equipment OFF overnight and then listen.
Any difference in the sound?
NO - Then continue to turn the equipment off when not in use
YES - Then just leave the stuff on all the time
This is cheap, repeatable, and easily done. My experience is that leaving the equipment on makes a difference. Your mileage may vary...
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Apr 28, 2013 10:54:48 GMT -5
I leave my xpr-5 on all the time. Everything else I turn off though.
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Post by The Mad Norseman on Apr 28, 2013 11:09:28 GMT -5
Mine is controlled by the trigger and some days it may never turn on and other days it may get turned off and on several times. Personally, I don't like leaving my stuff on when not in use. Exactly how my power amplifiers are treated. That's how my amp is set up also. Always in 'standby' - unless 'full on', but never all the way 'off' (if that makes sense?). Triggered by the surround procesor, and is 'on' probably a 3 to 4 hours every day... |
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Post by deltadube on Apr 28, 2013 11:57:22 GMT -5
I remember when this question was brought up several years ago. Lonnie came on and told us that when the XPA-5 is in Stand By mode that it used about as much electricity as a standard "nite light"; and he said that as long as the power amps have adequate ventilation it would fine to just leave them in Stand By Mode. I was surprised to learn that the big X Series power amps only used as much power as a little bitty nite lite. ;D ;D In real terms a night light doesn't burn that much electricity. Of the order of a dime a night... a dime a night Hemster.. wow you got expensive electric rates.. a night light be 1 to 4 watts/hr consumption... 12 x4 is 48w or 24 x 4 be 96 watts /day... i have time of day use rates up here now but aver is about 8.5 cents per kilowatt hour.. of course we got these other fees like dilevery charges and taxes on top.. doubling the price so 4 watts all day and night be 2 cent.. so your rates 5 x more hemster? cheers cheers |
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