[sebrof]

Use it up with passion. When it's tired and done there will be something even better to take it's place.

My thought exactly. Use it, enjoy it.
If you just take care not to damage it you will be fine.

[decal]

Be nice to your equipment and it will be nice to you.

[JLM]

Thanks for all the input!!  I think I’ve got most of this covered:

Leave on, yep (it’s all solid state, planning on getting old/febble). 

My main rig is in the locked basement audio man cave, so cats/kids/sunlight/S.O. are hopefully covered.

I have two other systems for “general consumption” (for "all" those wild church parties).

I’ll cancel my plans to attend 2011 RMAF.   

The house is in the great white north, 6 years old, we take shoes off, and use a central vacuum system (minimal ants, but working for the health dept I’m always looking for vermin).   

My real babies are the single driver speakers.  Replacement drivers (as modded) would run about $1500/pair USD.   

Help me be more passionate! (Rich, not lonewolfny42)   

Mike, please send me your stuff and I’ll promise not to use it.   

The speakers are rated for 27 watts continous/80 watts peak.  My monoblocks are rated for 100 watts and I’m definitely not a headbanger.

What’s an “electrolytic”?   

[Niteshade]

That's right- so the tubes can properly dissipate heat. If a tube amplifier is inside something, heat gets reflected back on to the amp & tubes unless it's forced air cooled.

Speakers:
1) Keep out of direct sunlight (at least the cones)
2) Keep in a clean place (I hate seeing base port circles in grill cloth!)
3) Keep away from AC/heating vents
4) Try to avoid loud pops, feedback, etc...
5) Avoid amplifier clipping

My general rule for keeping equipment turned on/turning it off: Don't cycle something several times a day. If you're going to come back to it a few times a day, keep it on. If you're leaving for the day right after listening, etc... then turn it off. IMO, keeping something on while asleep is not necessary.

Niteshade,

Just curious about Tube Gear on top of Rack.

What is your reasoning behind this? I'm guessing heat dissipation as one?

The only reason I keep my Amp on the bottom is due to its weight. I do need
a new stand with more room for cooling.

James

[Letitroll98]

The heck with all that, drive it like you stole it.  Audio is meant to be consumed and enjoyed.  If something breaks, it's a chance to buy something new and it prolly wasn't worth keeping if it broke that easily.   

[pansixt]

Dan,

I won't be buying any used gear from either you or Rich.

James

[JohnR]

I'd agree with those that say use it as intended. I've just returned a 50-year old amp to its owner - he is ecstatic. All it needed was replacement of the components that are known to fail after a certain amount of time, specifically electrolytic caps and high-voltage diodes. "Babying" of electronic components is not necessary, as long as they are not totally abused it is unlikely to make any difference.

With regard to speakers, surrounds and so on will deteriorate over time, there is nothing you can do about it.

[JohnR]

With regard to speakers, surrounds and so on will deteriorate over time, there is nothing you can do about it.

Except to not put the speakers in direct sunlight. That is definitely bad.

[amblin]

1. Don't attempt to clean the soft dome unless absolutely necessary. --- Some brushes that looked soft can act like very sharp needles in certain angles. On the other hand, brushing may damage the special 'sticky coating' on some soft domes. -- Leave it, if in doubt. And ask the manufacturer.

2. Keep everything well vented. Some solid state amps suggest ~10cm head room. That's NOT enough.

3. NO SOMOKING.  Ever looked inside an old pipe's PC? Especially the heat sinks.  I did. It was nasty!

4. Never wipe the real wood veneer（those with natural wood grain)  using a micro fiber cloth.. Micro fibers, because of its high fricton and fabric density could easily catch and pull off bits of the veneer and damage the surface coat. Especially those on the hard edges.  Use a dry, clean 100% cotton cloth instead. Or your wife's big , soft and fluffy face brush (whatever its real name was)

5. Don't get clever and try bypassing your gear's fuse and power switch. If there's one, then it's there for a very good reason --- SAFETY. Both for you and your gears.  Blown up transformers? Bad. Burnt down houses? Even worse. Dead? Your gears will end up on an ebay 'bargain! Must go!" sale, And i'll be the buyer.

6. Kids. They are naughty, noisy, costy, take 18+ years to burn in and there's no warranty and returns of any kind what so ever.   'I should have brought an E-type, instead of raising you lil punk!' --- My dad once said. It was a joke, but oh well, i prefer the E-type aswell....

[pansixt]

If anyone is interested, check out the Salk Circle for an idea on puppy proofing your
stand-up or tower speaks.

James