Schiit Buf
- Thread starter Sliphorn
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I think I'll get one for my bedroom stereo that is all solid state, this little box should make my Onkyo M-508 amp sound like Heaven ! (I already have Freya+ tube preamps and tube phono preamps in my main and office systems and I absolutely love the sound the tubes bring)
I see they have removed the Stjarna tube phono preamp from the site completely (it had been showing as unavailable for a few months)
I see they have removed the Stjarna tube phono preamp from the site completely (it had been showing as unavailable for a few months)
I ordered mine today to see how it might work with Von Schweikert VR2’s. I am currently bi-amping my VR2’s with a pair of rebuilt Adcom 555’s and this combo sounds great. However in the VR2 manual it suggests using a tube amp to drive the high end so I am thinking of putting the Buf into the chain between the one 555 and the preamp to see if it can simulate having a tube amp for the high end as Von Schweikert suggests.
fredgarvin
Super Member
I remember when the VR2 came on the scene, they were surprisingly affordable for VS and if I didn't have new speakers I probably would have jumped. I haven't figured out where I could put a Buf, I'm already pretty tubed but that's a gift of a price.
I pulled the trigger on the BUF ! I also ordered some better knobs for the Lokius EQ used in the office system- it has the shiny chrome knobs that you can't tell where you have it set unless you get up close, and I'm lazy so I want to be able to see the settings from across the room.
My first experiment with the Buf might be Mani 2 --> Buf for a cheap person's Stjarna.
Should be some good Schitt !
It's a hybrid which could use 6DJ8/ECC88/6922 type tubes. That means tube rolling will be some fun schitt !
Big Bonus = It's more than a simple buffer stage...It has a +10 db switch for some extra gain !
It's a hybrid which could use 6DJ8/ECC88/6922 type tubes. That means tube rolling will be some fun schitt !
Big Bonus = It's more than a simple buffer stage...It has a +10 db switch for some extra gain !
I have a quad of those "Voskod Rocket" tubes in my Stjarna, they sound excellent.
Lavane
Lunatic Member
I have various 8 and 9 pin Russian signal tubes along with some 8 and 9 pin power tubes and all of them sound good. I have a Reflektor 6N3P-EV for a driver tube in a single ended EL34 amp I built recently.
I wish Schiit had posted a schematic. I would like to see if pin 9 is connected to ground or not. It should be since pin 9 connects to the shield between the two triodes inside the tube. But it isn't always connected in some circuits I've seen. If not, it can cause some pops and clicks.
Very cool to see this new product. I will probably order one, it's so inexpensive there's no reason not to. On that topic, it's nice to see a tube buffer this affordable. A few months ago I was planning to build a tube buffer but got distracted with another DIY audio project. A tube buffer is not a complicated circuit, so it doesn't have to be expensive to be good.
Lavane
Lunatic Member
I built a single ended preamp awhile back with just one dual triode.
It can use a 12AU7, 12AY7, 12AT7, 12AX7, etc. It sounds best to me with a 12AY7. It has a little more gain than is needed with a 12AY7, but sounds good.
I added a switch to either connect or disconnect the cathode bypass caps.
At lower volumes having the caps in circuit gives it a little more low end grunt. Its too much at higher volumes so I switch them out.
Its a really simple easy to build circuit. Other than the small power trany and aluminum plate I had everything else on hand to build it.
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tubelectron
Super Member
Lavane
Lunatic Member
Yes. Its very simple. It's worked fine with my tube qmps. I wouldn’t use it with a SS amp though. It wouldn't be a good match impedance wise without a cathode follower.
Here's the schematic below and a link to info on building one.
The “Universal” Preamp | Cascade Tubes
www.cascadetubes.com
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What is the reason for a tube buffer ? Is it only for a bit more gain before a amp, or is it tube sound ??? I have a Tube pre amp from 1961 and it has everything for mag or ceramic turntable to NARTA + 3 and RIAA Equalization for tape Decks, roll off and or turnover. stereo pre amp Active EQ using 12AU7A X 2 tubes with Cathode Follower output.
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tubelectron
Super Member
Yes. Its very simple. It's worked fine with my tube qmps. I wouldn’t use it with a SS amp though. It wouldn't be a good match impedance wise without a cathode follower.
Here's the schematic below and a link to info on building one.
The “Universal” Preamp | Cascade Tubes
I see - Thanks @Lavane !
I guess that the Little Schiit BUF is designed with a tube gain circuit possibly similar to yours in front, followed with a lo-Z SS output buffer, with selectable gain attenuation.
I have some ideas on how to build my Tube Buffer...
... When I will have time to do it !
T
