Power consumption
Atul Kanagat -- Sat, 01/16/2010 - 09:32
Does anyone know how much energy a high end system (multiple analog and digital sources, 2 integrated Class AB amplifiers, 90db efficiency loudspeakers) use? In the "green" era, how much power do we consume when playing music and when in standby.
Any "ball park" estimates?
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It adds up. Do you leave everything on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Does your electricity bill show actual usage? I now turn off all equipment at the power source during the week while I am not at home and leave it on during the weekends. A lot of equipment draw current even when not turned on. It will make a difference in your bill. Do it for a month and you will see. You might notice a difference in sound though. I figured that was a small price to pay to help save Mother Earth. Don't forget things like TV's too.
You can buy power monitors that show how much power a particularly product consumes. Another approach is to add up all the power ratings of the products in your system.
Krell has just introduced their more environmentally friendly series of amplifiers that draw far less power in standby. For example, the big Evolution amplifier used to draw 375W in standby, and the new version draws just 2W. The user can select the standby mode and power consumption; it takes the amplifier a little longer to sound its best when in the 2W standby. Of course, this doesn't reduce the power consumption when playing music.
I have a Tripplite HT1210ISOCTR with a display giving me both voltage and amp usage. With everything in off/standby, the system pulls 0.6 amps (about 70 watts). That's a DVD player, SACD/CD player, LD player, cable box, TV, 2 Blu-ray players and a video processor. If I play a CD or LP, the total is around 4.6A. With video, it will run around 6.6–7.1 depending on what I'm watching. I don't leave my amps on for power reasons, and don't think I lose much by not doing so.
Another factor is listening levels. My amps are basically loafing, as the meter on my line conditioner never changes, so they're at or around idling power. I never go beyond 1/3 volume, which is plenty in my room (about 14.5 x 18.5).