Loud crackle: is it dangerous?

[IdahoPicker]

You know that annoying very loud crackle and pop you amp makes when you're plugging your guitar in?
I'm working with a drummer, a very great drummer, knows much (but a bit of a know-it-all), who claims this is extremely bad for the amp. I've never heard of this, but I've been wrong before.
Any thoughts?

[Jakedog]

I've never seen it break an amp. Even though I have heard stories (haven't we all). But I know it makes me cringe enough to hear it that I ALWAYS make sure to have the standby on, or the power off if there is no standby. Like I said, I have never physically seen first hand an amp break from this, but I am waiting. Anything that sounds that horrific can't be all good in my book. If anything, common sense should tell us that it's gotta be beating the snot out of the speaker.

[jhundt]

if that was true I would have blown up every amp and speaker I ever owned! I am the king when it comes to making that noise and annoying my friends/bandmates. I imagine if you had an old speaker with deteriorated fabric/paper at the surround you could pop the cone off... but not with any kind of properly rated speaker in decent condition. Just go ahead - be bold, and make the big noise!

[sw3tom]

I've never known an amp to be damaged from doing that...but...I've replaced plenty of PA system horns (pre-protected days) from knuckleheads doing exactly that...pretty irritating...not that I've not ever done it :) It makes a horrendous pop through the PA system if everything is lined through.

Tom