Tubes do sound fuller and richer after 20-30 minutes of warm up, but that doesn't mean they don't play right after you power them up. They play just fine.
FWIW, SS components also sound better after they warm up. That's why most good SS components have a standby power mode.
Frankly, in a Chevy Monte Carlo system ;-) you may not hear huge differences anyway. It certainly isn't worth worrying about. My tube preamp and amp actually do retail for more than a new Monte Carlo, but I don't pre-warm them or avoid listening until they're "perfect". I bought 'em to enjoy the music. I just don't do any audio-geeky critical listening for the first couple of LP sides. I do enjoyable music listening intead!
Note that leaving tubes powered up will shorten tube life, and if you're on a budget...
I like the advice already given about buying a tube based preamp w/ phono. You can get a used c-j PV-11 or similar for $500-700. Something like that would stomp any HT receiver into the dust for music and, as has also been said, if you don't like it you can resell for little loss. That's the beauty of Audiogon, you can try stuff you couldn't afford new for very little risk.
Enjoy the new phono and the music!
Doug
FWIW, SS components also sound better after they warm up. That's why most good SS components have a standby power mode.
Frankly, in a Chevy Monte Carlo system ;-) you may not hear huge differences anyway. It certainly isn't worth worrying about. My tube preamp and amp actually do retail for more than a new Monte Carlo, but I don't pre-warm them or avoid listening until they're "perfect". I bought 'em to enjoy the music. I just don't do any audio-geeky critical listening for the first couple of LP sides. I do enjoyable music listening intead!
Note that leaving tubes powered up will shorten tube life, and if you're on a budget...
I like the advice already given about buying a tube based preamp w/ phono. You can get a used c-j PV-11 or similar for $500-700. Something like that would stomp any HT receiver into the dust for music and, as has also been said, if you don't like it you can resell for little loss. That's the beauty of Audiogon, you can try stuff you couldn't afford new for very little risk.
Enjoy the new phono and the music!
Doug