The Standby

What is a Standby?

It is a switch that allows tubes to warm up properly before starting to amplify. For a tube to work properly, it needs to have its 'cathode' very hot. If we start to ‘draw’ electrons before cathode is at an optimum temperature, we can damage them by the 'cathode stripping' effect.

Is it absolutely necessary for a tube amplifier to have a Standby switch?

Not 100% necessary. It is advisable is that the amplifier does not emit any sound during the first moments of operation in which the tubes are getting hot, since electrons would be torn from cathodes as they were with a hammer. A logical substitute is to lower the amplifier's volume to zero and raise it when the amplifier is hot.

But... there is always some background noise in the amplifier. Is lowering the volume a complete standby substitute?

Of course it is not. That's why they keep manufacturing amps with a Standby switch. Even though, the wear of the tubes starting operation with that small background noise is practically negligible.

Is it advisable to have the Standby switch disconnected for a long time, with the 'Power' switch activated?

It is not advisable since, depending on how the power of your amplifier is designed, you may be exposing the filtering capacitors to excessive voltage if the amplifier is on, but the tubes are not consuming power. Some people also say that a 'cathode poisoning' can occur because the tube is not polarized, but it is heated. In this case I am personally more skeptical since, if the phenomenon occurs, it is in a negligible amount.

How do I use a Standby switch?

To turn on your tube amplifier:

Activate the mains power switch (generally, it will be named 'power', 'on', 'start' ...)
Wait 30 seconds. It is more than enough for the tubes to warm up and work in perfect conditions.
Activate the Standby switch (it can be called 'Standby', 'Hold'... 'Fire' in the case of Spitfire).
You can now use your amplifier normally.

To turn off your tube amplifier:

Disable the 'Standby' switch.
Wait 30 seconds.
Disable the 'Power' switch
If you are going to transport your amplifier, I would wait a few minutes for the tubes to cool down and avoiding unnecessary vibrations. If your amp is going to stay in the same place, you are ready to go!

Any opinion about the Standby-yes-Stanby-no controversy?

The Standby in your tube amplifier is a tool like any other. Probably playing with all the controls of your amplifier set to 10, you will damage it in a few hours. Few people are asking around 'Why can I put everything to 10 in my amp if it is bad for it?'

Use the Standby only for short periods of time, from thirty seconds to a couple of minutes, to turn on and off your amplifier, and its use will be very positive in the duration of your tubes. Avoid using it for long periods of time with the power switch already connected, since you can cause serious problems in the power section of your amplifier.

The Standby - Thermion