Tube Preamps Should Have This Feature

I have an original version Freya and have never worried about its warmup time and I listen to the tube section exclusively. I like the fact that it doesn't turn off the tubes when I switch to one of the passive settings as its a great way to see if the tube stage is getting tired...instantly. Also, I still haven't found any remarkably better preamp at any price (I've owned some great preamps, and compared my Freya to various other things)...to claim it isn't as good as other more expensive stuff make no sense to me...its considered Class A to many.

Freya+ gives you the tube/no tube (buffer or no buffer w/o tubes). Pro-Ject Pre Box RS2 Digital also has a selectable tube preamp output (along with 2 DACs and a headphone amp)

rcm1203

Most short delays at startup are built-in safety checks, my McIntosh SS Amp, mc2250 had a test sequence; My Cayin Tube Integrated AT88is like yours, nothing possible for 30 second check; and my Little Luxman Tube Integrated has a 30 sec test.

Do they advise waiting 10, 20, 30 minutes for warmup in their manual: NO. 

Do we go with the well touted warmup concept, YES

Use your ears, it would be nuts to deny yourself some casual short time listening to some enjoyable content for lack of warmup.

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My friend had car trouble, he will come next week.

My Conrad Johnson Premier 14 preamp came with exactly that sort of stand-by - the tubes are not active until you unmute it.

Having a hard time seeing the use case here. Tubes are designed to get up to optimal temperature very quickly - that’s what the "heater" is for. Transistors can be a very different (and frustrating) story on this front, plus they overheat easily and behave VERY poorly in those conditions. A couple minutes in, and your tubes are good to go.

If you’re entering a several-hours stretch where you want to do several short sessions, just leave it on for that stretch. Or turn it on/off a few times. The tubes will be fine.

If you tally a lot of hours a year and don’t want to pile that onto rare NOS tubes, then the Russian tubes these days are quite excellent.

The Rogue Apollos had a "standby" switch which cut down the high voltage rails while leaving heaters on, but that was specifically for the power tubes (not pre tubes) and even then I hardly ever felt a need to use it.