has anyone committed this siphon cardinal sin

I prefer Glenmorangie, but the auto-siphon is way handier. Not to mention the autosiphon tube is also a wine thief for getting your hydro samples out.

I admit it: I'm lazy. I'm extremely picky about sanitation, but then I suck-start my siphon every time. I haven't had any problems. I know it makes no sense, but there you go.

I use a HEPA filter in the 2nd carboy cap hole. After I rack the beer, I want can harvest the yeast. I add 1 liter of boiled (cooled) water by turning the filter the other direction, place racking cane in the boiled water and suck the HEPA filter.

Swish the water/yeast, turn the HEPA back around and blow the yeast/water solution back into my 2 liter beaker. Of course I starsan sray the ends of the filter each time.

For buckets and cornys, I use an autosiphon.