Unplugging IC while equipment is on?

mysticaldodo · « **on:** 27 Jan 2006, 06:53 am »

Is it safe to unplug and plug IC's while equipment is on?

My setup is a Cambridge Audio 640C and A (V2), plus Clearaudio Basic Phonostage, Goldring 1.2 and Musical Fidelity Xcan V3. I have 2 pairs of ICs actually, one Siltech 18T G3 and Ultralink Performance. I very much prefer the Siltech over the Ultralink which I don't use anymore.

The thing is, I often listen to both vinyl, cd, speakers and headphone during any listening session. So is it ok to plug out the IC even when the equipment is ON or in STANDBY mode. My XCan and phono stage does not have an standby mode. By unplugging in such a way will it damage the equipment?

Does the same goes for speakers? I have to unplug my standmounds for a reason (when my setup is still on or standby) and wonder how it will affect my speakers. I do all of this when the amp's volume pot is at minimum of course.

* Another bonus by doing so I save money from not needing to buy another pair of ICs (but also not taking advantage of multi inputs of the amp). But for the XCan, I prefer to connect my source direct to the headphone amp rather then XCAN ->AMP -> HEADPHONE AMP, it is more inconvenient but I get a shorter signal path.

Sorry for the long winded post

Marbles · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Jan 2006, 12:17 pm »

I wouldn't. Turn off your amp.

zybar · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Jan 2006, 12:18 pm »

Quote from: Marbles

I wouldn't. Turn off your amp.

Good advice.

Be safe rather than sorry.

George

audiojerry · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Jan 2006, 03:51 pm »

Quote from: zybar

Quote from: Marbles
I wouldn't. Turn off your amp.

Good advice.

Be safe rather than sorry.

George

Why? What could happen, other than tearing a hole in the universe?
I'm not trying to be fecicious, but I'd like to learn the specifics.

TomS · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Jan 2006, 04:17 pm »

With RCA connections you tend to lift the ground while maintaining center pin contact = very loud hum, pops, squeal, maybe dc offset and very serious speaker and/or amp damage. Ask me how I know.

mysticaldodo · « **Reply #5 on:** 29 Jan 2006, 09:25 am »

Ok, how do you know?

mattybumpkin · « **Reply #6 on:** 29 Jan 2006, 01:27 pm »

Right on about the noise. And yes, I know as I have done it.

KKM · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 12:01 am »

Turn the amp off, fried a nice Vifa Ring tweeter once because the IC touched while on. A good practice to always turns things off no matter what you are plugging/unplugging.

warnerwh · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Jan 2006, 05:17 am »

Quote from: KKM

Turn the amp off, fried a nice Vifa Ring tweeter once because the IC touched while on. A good practice to always turns things off no matter what you are plugging/unplugging.

Amen!

RadioWonder · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 Mar 2006, 05:04 pm »

Good to know... Thanks.

dorokusai · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 02:29 am »

That's not a good idea.

It's not so much that's it's bad, but the potential for shorting out the signal is definetly present at that time.

I had a pre-amp blow, due to negligence, at an audio function. It happens, but I always power down my gear before IC changes occur.

OTL · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 May 2006, 09:35 pm »

Wow! This is a simple basic electronics 101 discussion.

Rule #1 - never work on a live circuit.

Rule #2 - pay attention and don't hurry.

Rule #3 - refer to rule #1 and #2 before proceeding to step #4.

I've got to ask the motive behind trying to shortcut rule #1? Do you intend to save a couple of seconds of time by not placing a component's power switch in the off position? How much time do you think you're going to expend shopping for replacement equipment? Never mind coughing up the cash AGAIN for something you've already purchased. This is just to too silly.

Amps off? Absolutely, each and every time. And wait a bit for the caps to discharge. My amps continue to output for many seconds after switched to the off position. Again, in the grand scheme of things, what's waiting a couple of seconds vs. replacing equipment?

Preamp off? Well, if your pre has a "true" mute of the output you can cheat here. My McCormack ALD-1 does, but YMMV. So, just reach up and switch the preamp off. Now, shut of the amp and count to 20 or so. You can now switch your cables any way you wish, with no fear of damage. Now turn it back on, pre first, then amps.

Haven't you ever heard a guitarist swap guitars with the amps on eleven? Why risk this on your home stereo?

Trust us on this......

Listen, share and enjoy.

Mike B.

warnerwh · « **Reply #12 on:** 25 May 2006, 05:08 am »

Mike: I don't think people realize the damage that can be done while doing this. I've seen this question before and it was after someone had destroyed something. I also see where reviewers claim to have done it. It's just too risky, plain and simple.

There should actually be warnings in owners manuals regarding this subject.

Dan Driscoll · « **Reply #13 on:** 25 May 2006, 06:27 pm »

Hot swapping is always a bad idea, unless the equipment was designed for it.

OTL · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 May 2006, 09:55 pm »

Quote

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

Yikes! Now that's a fuggin' hell of a quote!

Mind if I use it? I just may want to forward this little nugget of wisdom along, as pretty much all of us should if we have a mind.

Kudos.

Listen, share and enjoy.

Mike B.