Tube Preamps Should Have This Feature


So it's late or you just want some casual listening for a short time. "Should I fire up my tube pre for 30 minutes?". My answer is "No". Why not let me flip a switch (or push in the volume control) to put my pre into "bypass" mode? Bypass would, effectively, convert your pre into a passive device, keeping the tubes dark.

This sounds useful to me.

128x128dweller

The Schiit  Freya + will do just that, see below:

Mike

Whisper-Silent Tube Stage—With Tube Shutdown

''Now, you can enjoy a tube preamp without the hiss and hum of classic designs. Freya+ offers super-quiet tube modes with DC heaters and semi-circlotron, noise-cancelling output stages. Better yet, the tubes turn off when you’re not using them! That’s right, both the tube heater and high voltage rails go away when not in use, so you can preserve lifetime of costly tubes.'' 

I have literally never hesitated to turn on my system. If you can’t afford new tubes, spend less on groceries.

 

and obtw, the architecture of a passive pre it totally different.  You are asking for 2 totally different components.