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Why No Power Button on Some Phono Stages?

I am upgrading my phono stage, and several of the ones I have shortlisted do not have a power switch/on-off button.

Why is this? Is the user supposed to keep it powered up all the time, or manually unplug the power each time?

I know certain electronics are supposed to have better sound once they have reached thermal equilibrium, but that doesn't mean I want to keep it powered up 24/7.

Switching the phono stage power off from the power strip is a PIA, as it would switch all of my other components off, and I'd lose by tuner settings.

I want to choose the phono stage by sound quality, but an on/off switch is a major convenience factor for me. Why do some manufacturers leave it off?
kixo

Showing 2 responses by dover

dover
2,177 posts
 
My tube preamps are on permanently. No issues. Every now and then I turn them off for a day or 2 to discharge the power supply caps and ensure there is no behavioural memory imprinted into the power supply caps.
dover
2,177 posts
 
Lewm -
Memory distortion in audio components, ie resistors and capacitors, is recognised by many now. A common example that some people may be aware of is batteries. If you keep recharging a battery before it is discharged fully, it can form a "memory" whereupon it wont work any more when it reaches that point that you kept recharging it, whereas if you completely run the battery down before recharging, then it will work at all levels.
I run tube preamps where the operating voltages are quite conservative and therefore can be left on all the time.
What I am saying is that if I dont discharge the power supply completely from time to time then those power supply electrolytics will form a memory ( similar to the battery example ) as they have never been fully discharged, or even overcharged on turn on.
Another way of thinking about this cycling, is degaussing your cartridge.
And the answer is yes, I hear a freshening up of the sound when I turn off the components for a day or so.
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