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Is it a OK to leave tube pre-amps powede up 24/7

I’m relatively new to tubes in my hifi setup. Recently went from SS pre to tube ARC pre-amp and a Croft phono stage.

I have always kept all of my SS gear powered up 24/7(and still do), but I shut down my pre-amp and phono stage now after I am done listening for the day. I power them up at least a half of an hour before I put anything into play.

I would prefer to leave my tube gear on all the time, but am concerned about premature tube wear.

What would the tube folk here think about 24/7?

128x128crazyeddy
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,806 posts
 
and says the power surge upon turn-on is harder on the tubes than 24/7 usage.
This really has to do with the design! The phenomena known as 'cathode stripping' really affects power tubes a whole lot more than small signal tubes!

I find that I get much longer life out of the tubes if they are only on when I'm using them. After 20-30 minutes they sound great and after about 2 hours they've gotten as far as they are going to go. Running a tube preamp 24/7 is going to shorten the effective tube life unless you work at home and have the stereo playing all the time.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,792 posts
 
Or are retired!
phd
1,315 posts
 
It depends on preamp design as stated above but Audible Illusion tube preamps have their tubes lit even after the power button is off. According to Audible Illusions this lenghthens the life of the tubes.
thom_at_galibier_design's avatar
thom_at_galibier_design
729 posts
 
What Ralph (atmasphere) said ...

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier Design
audiotomb's avatar
audiotomb
1,112 posts
 

1/2 hour is a nice time frame for warm up


if you are breaking in equipment also do not leave it on 24/7

patience is a virtue and you will be rewarded soon enough


I have a friend who will not sell any of his NOS tubes to a guy who will leave them on 24/7 just to see those famous blue lights shining behind the face plate glass

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