Pause button during playback: How long is safe?

[bluecrab]

On a "modern" MD deck (MXD-D400, JB940, JA20ES, etc.), for how long is it safe to have the unit in Pause mode? I occasionally have done this for 20-30 minutes at a time with no apparent problem, but I am wondering if there's some kind of upper limit.

 

[NGY]

Model families before the 510 (inclusive) spun the disc in record pause, with the OWH lowered to the surface of the disc. This could become abrasive after extended periods of time. Successors of the 510 and newer models don't spin the disc in rec pause, but still keep the OWH lowered. It is not abrasive, but the two little flat springs that keep the tip of the OWH in the proper angle may loose their form, if left in such a position for very long time.

As for playback, the disc stops spinning when in pause mode, so theoretically there are no parts mechanically stressed. Electronics are still under voltage in pause, and as semiconductors, capacitors age with time, long pauses can shorten their life cycle. Also, the lifetime of the VFD is limited, devices left just ON for long times, would fade their VFD much faster.

I am not sure if this is what you asked.

On another note: my practice is to shut off the decks for any time I don't use them. Even the one I use on a daily basis is plugged into the switched AC outlet of my receiver, so it gets no power when the receiver is off - less heat produced by the deck's transformer (heat is harmful to the insulation of the coils, as well as the filter caps), also less electricity wasted.

[bluecrab]

Thank you, NGY, that is exactly what I asked. I asked the question because I most often play MDs in shuffle mode. That means I cannot Stop the playback and resume it at same place. So Pause is an option. However, anything I can do to extend the life of my MD units—not shorten them!—is what I want to do. So, extended pause on playback is not great. (I never leave any MD units on, at least intentionally, when not in use.)