AV receiver power consumption question

[Djangoman]

Rather dumb question:

In the specification page on all AV receiver unit there's always power consumption information, such as 350 W, 450 W, 600 W, and so on. Does it mean that everytime I turn on and operate the unit it will consume as much power as it states? Or that's only the max. power consumption, depending on how loud I operate the system?

THanks..

[OldDude]

No, that's power in at rated power out.

No good way to guess power consumption at reasonable listening levels but A LOT lower.

[Djangoman]

Well, that's a relief... I wonder if it's the same with other electronics such as TV, CD/DVD players, amplifiers, etc.?

[OldDude]

It would be true of amplifiers (driving speakers), but generally not of other devices.

A CRT-based TV may draw varying amounts of power according to the picture (a plasma too, I suppose). An LCD has a constant backlight, and the LCD absorbs some of the light, so full power all the time. CD/DVD players put out signal into a high impedance, no real power variation with signal

[Spiky]

My power strip readout claims under 2 amps flowing with everything off but the Tivos. With the receiver on it jumps to about 3.1. With a serious amount of volume, I think I've hit close to 8.