opinions on inexpensive 6n3 tube buffers

[dishman]

Sorry, if this is an old topic, but I couldn't find any thing when I searched.

Does anyone have experience with those inexpensive 6N3 tube buffers all over ebay? I've read some good things about the 6J1 Yaqin models and they are certainly reasonable. But I'm curious about the even cheaper ones.

The cheaper ones are about $60 - $70 total. They seem to have decent brand components and there's not a lot to the circuit, so I'm wondering if they might be ok? I'm expecting to upgrade the tubes themselves.

Any thoughts? Cautions?

 

[argonaught]

Oh, my goodness, I have bought 3 of those, and tried in vain to make some use out of them. Only one seems to actually amplify the signal, but also it chops off most of the highs and all lows.

 

[63pontiacgp]

I bought one and mounted it in a case. I use it between my computer and amplifier. I've used it a while and I feel that the mp3's sound better with it. More depth. There's an extensive thread "say hello to my new little friend" on them.

Mike

 

[dumptruck]

I am pretty skeptical. If I had one I'd probably convert it for solving impedance matching problems with guitars. Isn't the "say hello" thread about a line stage preamp? A buffer shouldn't amplify anything, btw.

 

[jaymanaa]

Tube buffers don't make sense to me. It's like cutting a vinyl record from a CD recording and thinking it will sound better.

 

[mhardy6647]

Oh, my goodness, I have bought 3 of those, and tried in vain to make some use out of them. Only one seems to actually amplify the signal, but also it chops off most of the highs and all lows.

http://www.freewebs.com/valvewizard/accf.html

buffers aren't supposed to amplify the signal. They're meant to be unity-gain devices; meant to be used to "buffer" impedance mismatches, no more and no less. If they do anything else, they're poorly designed (or implemented) or they were deliberately designed not to be buffers. The latter, I suspect, is the case with many of these cheap add-ons.

Here's an extreme example (albeit one that might be fun to play with):

http://www.paia.com/proddetail.asp?prod=9305KEN

 

[sled108]

I've had a Yaqin CD2 for years now, and I run Mullard or RCA 6AK5w's in it..It's always been silent, and I've had not a single problem with it..It's the only way to make Sirius, CD or any Portable Device sound Nice...For $100 it can't be beat!

 

[sled108]

I've just checked the 6n3 buffer I think you're talking about..Mmmm $44.99 w/ Shipping, or B.O. seems Crazy Cheap...With a Transformer & Volume..And Tubes?...What the 'H'..Go for it...Hell, I might offer them $35 for one...Or, not..It's a 220v Transformer..

 

[ke4mcl]

just ordered one myself not long ago along with a tripath 100wpc amp for a future dynaco 120 mod.

 

[jeffhamman]

similar to this one?

This is a 6n11 not 6n3 but basiclly the same offered,they have both, use this to get some gain going to my tube monoblocks.some reason the preouts barley drove the amp.yes they work ok do get the input where I need them,i paid about 35 for this plus shipping.Have used setup for about 1 year pleased with it and no problems.your will need to find a 120in/9vac out source.like a dctransformer plug-$3 at a thrift store. has instructions I think you can order a kit and assemble yourself.