My phono stage: on, always (as suggested by it’s creator). TT and SDS: turned on/spinning at least 30 minutes before listening (for bearing lube, belt, whatever). While warming up my ears, in anticipation of realistic SPLs (as mentioned above) and expecting my cartridge suspension to limber up, during the first two or three cuts; I’ll do a crossword or sudoku. Unless pondering CD pits and digits, previously, I figure the rest of the system is still warming up/stabilizing, as well (lots of tubes). The realism manifests, when everything’s warmed/turned up. The second vinyl typically takes me, "there", better than the first.
