I'm embarrassed to ask this question

[badperson]

but hey, I can open up to you guys right? Well, it all started when my mother bought me a...

No, wait, not that problem...

Ok, this is so basic I feel stupid. For things like compressors and pres, or any piece of gear that doesn't have an off switch, is it bad to leave them plugged in all the time? One of them is a tube, will it be worn out by being heated up 24/7?

(I'm talking about an rnc and a cheap pre, btw)
thanks.

[Phil O'Keefe]

The plate voltages on most cheap "toob" gear are so low compared to what they are 'rated" to run at that it's highly unlikely you're going to wear that tube out any time soon. Many of those el cheapo "tube" preamps will actually run SANS tube installed. IOW, I seriously doubt it's going to be a major problem if you leave them on all the time.

OTOH, you could always plug them into a rackmount power strip such as those available from Juice Goose, Furman, etc. etc. or even a cheap A/C multi-outlet strip and switch them on and off from there if you're really worried about it.