normdeplume
Pithecanthropus Erectus
I try to see it as a buffer. Any cheaper buffers there? Regarding the cabling, there has to be this "amount" of it with any buffer inserted, only thing that concerns me is the "pot" relay contact, how much loss it causes.
Sure, there are much cheaper tube buffers available. No idea if they're any good, and I'm suspicious of Amazon/headfi reviews - I suspect some of them involve placebo effect or other synergy that may or may not have anything to do with the tubes. You may find better information by searching here or other reliable forums.
Again, the Saga contains no pot. Run open, I don't think there should be any loss aside from what's imparted by the little bit of signal path.
I hate to say it's not "tubey" because it supports the (I think broken) idea of some universal "tube" sound - but it's isn't tubey. All of this is likely moot if you're looking for color, and I still don't think the transparent Saga is the tool for your application. If I'm in your situation, wanted tubes or to tweak, and was considering spending at least $400, there are a few different ways I'd go before this:
- Upgraded source(s)
- Tube source(s)
- Depending on what's in your CDP, a good DAC, or a tube DAC
- Any decent combination of separates for better flexibility. Yes it's passive, but we're still talking about spending $400 to run a preamp into a preamp here.
- Saga and a power amp
- Tube/SS, SS/Tube, Tube/Tube pre/power amps if you want tubes in your amplification*