mixing tubes and transistors


I'm considering getting a tube preamp in an otherwise all solid state system. The solid state gear is designed to be left on all the time. The tubes in the preamp wouldn't last very long if left powered up all the time. Here's my dilemma: the power amp owner's manual says to power down the components in sequence from the speakers "backward" to the source. The preamp is in the middle of this chain. If I turn off the preamp (to extend tube life) while leaving the amp and sources on (to keep the transistors thermo-electrically stable) am I creating any electrical hazards for my equipment? Please advise, and thanks.
prospersol7a6a

Showing 2 responses by sugarbrie

If I am in a situation where I want to leave the SS amp on and turn off the Tube preamp, I shut the amp off first; then turn the amp back on after I turn off the preamp.

Then reverse the process turning the preamp back on; ie, shut the amp off first before turning on the preamp.

10,000 hours is about 415 days. If you leave tube stuff on you're replacing tubes every 14 months by that estimate.