"Tubes, generally speaking, are NOT like light bulbs, so they do not suffer nearly as much from the thermal shock of being turned on." Actually; the cathode in a vacuum tube is heated by a refractory metal filament, generally tungsten, very much like a lightbulb’s. Some cathodes (directly heated) are the filament. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_cathode Even so; as much as I’ve spent on my NOS valves, persuading me to leave them on, 24/7, would be a difficult task. Glad my Cary monoblocks have separate B+ switches, so I can give the electrons time to start their hot little dance.
Leave tube amps always on?
Mark, the owner of Linear Tube Audio, suggested I leave my tube amps on all the time 24/7 if im listenting every day, and to turn them off if not using for a period of time, a few days or for example we go away. His reasoning was that it uses considerable more energy to turn on/off on a regular basis.
Do others agree? Kinda risky since these NOS Mullard tubes ain't cheap and will soon be gone forever.
Do others agree? Kinda risky since these NOS Mullard tubes ain't cheap and will soon be gone forever.