Question for the DS5-R users.  
 
I have a DS5-R coming my way, replacing my DS5 floor box.
 
I noticed that there is a power on/off switch on the back of the DS5-R. Is it required to switch the power supply on, every time I want to use it? It seems unpractical to use a power switch on the backside, since it is a rackmount supply and it would be packed between my other rack gear.  
 
My DS5 just came on when I plugged in the 5-pin.
 
Please enlighten my layman's thoughts on this.
Thanks.
 
Duncan

When I had a DS5-R, I left it in the rack with the power switch turned on.  I would activate everything with the front power switch on my Furman power conditioner.  I never had to reach behind it!  You could also remove the switch completely, but I think it is not necessary.
 
Michael

Duncan:
 
Any chance you're looking to sell your old DS5?
 
Bill, tgo

Bill,
I'm sorry but I swapped the DS5 against the DS5-R, so I don't have it anymore.
 
Michael,
thanks for your suggestion. I don't use a power conditioner though. I'll have to think of something else. Maybe a socket with a power switch. That's doable...
 
Duncan

The DS-5 power supply is just a simple circuit that generates DC power for the Series electronics.  There's nothing in there that will age or wear and, when your bass is not plugged in, there's no power draw at all.  So, I think you can pretty turn it on and leave it on without worrying about it.  
 
The original red-knob F2-B preamps (and I think the current black-knob ones as well) have the power switch in the same location in the back.  If you don't turn it off when you're not using it, you are putting time on your 12AX7 tubes and using power too, so it's more critical to switch power there.
 
David Fung

I owned an F1-X for a while that someone had modified to move the on/off switch to the front panel. It looked to be a fairly simple DIY job that made life a heck of alot easier.
 
graeme