Tube DAC Conundrum

I follow the same practice as the above 2 posters
I am no expert but I think the performance issues are related to getting the tube gear(or any gear) to an optimal operating temperature. I find most tube gears get there relatively quickly.
Now for some reason (unknown to me) I find that unplugging digital gear will then require a longer time to get back to optimal sound once plugged back in so I do try and keep my digital plugged in.

Leave it on 24/7 and change the tubes every year. It's perfectly safe assuming proper ventilation and decent equipment design. The issue with digital equipment is that the clocks need to be at thermal equilibrium for optimal performance. Effectively, that means leaving them on 24/7.

If you're interested you could conduct a test. Leave the D/A powered for a week and listen, then turn it off for 48 hours. Power it up and figure out whether you can hear a difference.

Yes Onhwy61,

A test does seem the logical thing to do. I will do just that. Thanks all.

I have a tube dac and pre-amp. Can't practically leave tube gear on. Too risky! So I don't. SS amps, DACs, etc. I often do.

Audio Note recommends 24/7 operation for their tube linestages, phono preamps, and D/A converters.

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