Vote

The issue is group-think, not conservation. Hi-fi is about the pursuit of acoustic realism. Why add another compromise to the already long list hurdles that engineers have to contend with right now? Want to save the environment? Don't drive your car to the concert hall but listen to a solar powered radio. (A note of caution: even if you walk to the concert hall, be advised that there may be lighting and air-conditioning, two big power wasters.) Unfortunately, to some people, there's a scarcity of more important issues in the world than how much electricity the dedicated hifi enthusiast is consuming in pursuit his hobby. Good grief.

Important especially for solid-state as that kind of devices mostly benefit from leaving on 24/7.

Absolutely include power consumption. Death to Class A output stages!

This likely won't overly impact my buying decisions, but I'd be very interested in seeing this type of info nonetheless.

Nice to know, especially if you're running of a power regenerator.

For budget-minded audiophiles, buying an amplifier that draws large amounts of power represents a continuing cost beyond the initial purchase price. As a result, this information would be useful to see in Stereophile.

I'd be interested in power consumption for two reasons—the cost of operation as well as impact on the environment.

If it's not too much trouble, it could be another aspect to be aware of—especially amps!

Wouldn't mind details of current on standby; but absolutely no interest in current in operations.

With the ever increasing price of energy, it only makes sense to publish standby, idling, and maximum current draw.

Especially power protection equipment. Tubes? Don't want to know

Need to include "standby," and "some normal listening level." Standby because most audiophiles leave their equipment on all the time. Maximum power really isn't useful, because I don't know anyone that listens to music at maximum volume.

Honestly don't know enough about how efficency relates to overall sound quality if it even does at all. That information would be very important in my opinion.

More product information would always provide additional data for Stereophile's readers to use in their personal evaluation of any audio equipment under consideration. I don't believe that the listing of the power-draw requirements of a truly musical audio component, which also pulls copiously from the AC-power outlet, would dissuade any of us from purchasing a given piece of equipment, but the information would allow us to ensure that we've properly prepared our music room for the introduction of the audio component. So I'd vote in favor of JA adding power-draw measurements to equipment reviews.

Nothing I'd buy for my space is going to tax a 20 amp circuit. If it does, I over purchased out of excitement or the product is built like crap.

That way I know I will have enough ampacity so I don't trip breakers when things get good and loud!!

Only if Class A operation level of power amps is included...

I think we need to be aware of how much energy our audio equipment is using. It isn't just about money.

Power use has to be an ethical consideration these days. Your reviews do include other cost-of-use factors, and cost of use is a buying consideration for any porduct.

For both the environment and wallet.

What's the point? Green is in? Ferrari and Hummer owners only glance at the mpg to keep the tank full. High-current linear amplifiers draw a bunch of power. No mystery there. It may only make sense to measure power consumption if that latest Krell model required me to install a 408V-three-phase dedicated utility transformer at my house to power it up. If I'm ultra concerned with power consumption, I'll just resort to using an iPod with headphones. I keep my gas guzzling to a minimum by driving my gasoline hogs less. The same can be said of electronics, power them down when they aren't being used.

Absolutely not. If you're going to play, you're going to shape the flow of electrons and that is energetic. Let someone else start a magazine about the green potential for listening. Stick to the quality of the experience, please. If the primary concern is power usage then you turn it all off, sell it to somebody else (or destroy it) and take up an acoustic instrument. Hippie drum circles rule, not OK.

A great idea. It would force the equipment manufacturers to make products that are less expensive to operate, cost people like me less, and become greener in the process.

As we, as a country, become more and more energy conscious, I find that power draw is a factor in my buying decisions.

It would be interesting to know. I doubt it would influence my decision to buy the product unless it was a crazy power draw. I prefer solid-state components anyway.

I suspect that in 25 years, only the ultra-rich will be able to afford to run most tube gear. I'm especially interested in knowing about the power draw components make when powered off—which is often surprisingly significant.

Well....of course. Why not?

I just like to know the power consumptions at idle & full power, just out of curiosity. I still believe sound quality should not be compromised for efficiency in the very best amps.

How well a piece of equipment reproduces "live" sound is the criterion I look for. Power draw might be a factor only if two pieces of equipment were identical in all other respects in their ability to recreate "live" sound.

Don't care one way or the other. It's the sound that matters.