rule of thumb: how long do you leave a tube preamp on versus turning it off then back on?


I just upgraded to an Audio Research REF 10 with 12 tubes and I am wondering how to best preserve the tubes. How long sitting turned on is equal to the wear and tear of turning it off then on again? I had a Rogue RP 7 with just four tubes so I didn't worry about this issue so much, I just turned it on when I began to listen then off at the end of the evening. Now I'm wondering where the sweet spot is? Away for a hour, two, three, turn it off when? Am I over-thinking this issue?
128x128wokeuptobose

Showing 2 responses by decooney

@wokeuptobose Past three tube amps both used and new, with new or NOS tubes -    

Startup:  
During initial burn in, with new tubes in my preamp and mono amps, they performed and sounded better after 45-60min of warmup.  All burned in now, right at 30 minutes or so they seem to start sounding pretty good. Takes less time now, maybe 20-30 min, transformers too.   

Shutdown:
If the tube amps and preamps are on, and I know I'm not going to sit back down and do any serious listening for the next 3-4 hours, I'll go ahead and just shut them off.

As others noted, prefer not to leave them unattended for too long.   

+1 cleeds, +1 jjss49

Amps on last, off first.

Waiting 30 seconds between preamp & amp too. Some may wait longer. This seems to work on my tube amps, preamp.