If I were plugging stuff in here is the specific order that I would use. From left to right as you face the back of the unit

You can leave preamps and CD players on all of the time. In general (non-tube units) source(s) and preamps use very, very little electricity and can be left on all of the time. That cuts down on warm-up time (audio equipment sounds better after it's been on for a little while) and some feel that it's better for the components long term because they aren't hit with the huge in rush of current (3X or more of their standard operating current) at power up. Others feel that leaving them on will hasten the aging of the parts. It's probably 6 of 1 and half a dozen of another to be honest. The amp I'd probably turn off as some of them will use quite a bit of electricity even when not being asked to produce sound.

Two smaller tips for good sound. First, if you have a "record out" hooked up between the tape deck and the preamp (so that you can record) you'll always want the tape deck on so that the preamp isn't pushing signal to an input on the tape deck the is not active. Second, turn off the CD player when listening to the turntable, tuner, or tape deck. The reverse (with the possible exception of the tape deck as above noted)is also true.

If you wanted to be really tweaky (and why not) you could certainly power down the other bank.

So how does the thing SOUND???

I believe that unit uses LED lighting which have an extremely long life span.

Question on the LAN/Phone jacks...I see only one size jack for both LAN and Phone. Yet, LAN uses an RJ45 plug while phone uses an RJ11 plug. While close, these are not the same size. How does one jack suffice for both?

Thanks,
Bob

THR33 - Your's has the volt meter, right? What does it usually read on it? You inspired me to get a panamax, and my meter almost always reads 121-123...

Bob-

The connector is compatible with both RJ-11 and RJ-45 connectors (http://www.panamax.com/PDF/Datasheets/M4300EX_L547B.pdf)

judicata-

Voltage will vary a bit over the course of the day. If it's within a couple of volts (say 2 or 3) I wouldn't worry about it. If it's consistently over 130 call an electrician. All Panamax units have over/under voltage protection built in. If they "see" voltages outside of a predetermined safe-zone they will electronically disconnect your equipment from the electrical line and start testing the voltage after it has returned to normal for 7 seconds the equipment will once again receive power.

Very cool. Never seen it below 118 or above 123, so I'm probably good.