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Tube Buffer Recommendations?

Infinity!

Infinity!

Well-Known Member
Hey guys, i have never owned anything with tubes, but i would love to try a tube buffer. My friend bought a Yaqin CD3 tube buffer and that sounded pretty good, but i'd like to know what brands you guys use and recommend. Thanks in advance!
 
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Infinity! said:
Hey guys, i have never owned anything with tubes, but i would love to try a tube buffer. My friend bought a Yaqin CD3 tube buffer and that sounded pretty good, but i'd like to know what brands you guys use and recommend. Thanks in advance!
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I started my toe dip into tubes with a CD1, I liked the slightly warmer sound I got from my SS gear but I've got to tell ya, slippery slope you're on! After I put in the buffer I decided that i WANTED MORE so a tube preamp came shortly after that and that wasn't enough, now a tube amp has joined its tubed brethren. I'm much happier with the sound so all is well, but it's gonna cost ya!
 
I use a musical fidelity x-10v3 tube buffer - it seems too work well - I like the sound when in use.
 
ejman said:
I started my toe dip into tubes with a CD1, I liked the slightly warmer sound I got from my SS gear but I've got to tell ya, slippery slope you're on! After I put in the buffer I decided that i WANTED MORE so a tube preamp came shortly after that and that wasn't enough, now a tube amp has joined its tubed brethren. I'm much happier with the sound so all is well, but it's gonna cost ya!
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That's what im afraid of!! Lol Would you think it'd be better to buy a tube preamp or a tube buffer? Which would add more 'tube' sound?

thymanst said:
I use a musical fidelity x-10v3 tube buffer - it seems too work well - I like the sound when in use.
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I keep seeing this one recommended. Do they still sell it??
 
Infinity! said:
That's what im afraid of!! Lol Would you think it'd be better to buy a tube preamp or a tube buffer? Which would add more 'tube' sound?
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I have no doubt you would get more "tube" sound out of a preamp but you are looking at a minimum at 5-10 times the cost for a good quality preamp. You really won't get a large effect from the buffer. When I first got it I experimented by putting it in the tape loop of a Creek 4330 amp. I did a blind test by having my wife switch without telling me which was which. I could reliably tell but the effect was subtle - a slight "smearing" of the images and a slight warmness added.
 
ejman said:
I have no doubt you would get more "tube" sound out of a preamp but you are looking at a minimum at 5-10 times the cost for a good quality preamp. You really won't get a large effect from the buffer. When I first got it I experimented by putting it in the tape loop of a Creek 4330 amp. I did a blind test by having my wife switch without telling me which was which. I could reliably tell but the effect was subtle - a slight "smearing" of the images and a slight warmness added.
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So it'd be like a minumum of 1-2k for a tube preamp!? I noticed that their was a slight change when he used the tube buffer, but it wasn't as dramatic as i'd hoped. What brands would u recomend for preamps? I have no idea where to even start looking!
 
The Grant Fidelity TubeDAC 11 can be used as a DAC , as a tube buffer (Have 2 RCA analog inputs), and as a preamp (tube or transistor), or DAC direct outputs.

This is my source for my Raphaelite DP84 amp most of the time.
 
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Ditto for the Maverick TubeMagic DACs.

mavericks_stacked.jpg


I use my D1+ as a tube buffer ... with my tube amps. Adds more flexibility. Currently running a set of tubes in the main amp that would normally be a bit "dark" for my liking, but putting a brighter tube in the DAC livens it up to just about perfect for me.

Also has the analog I/O required for "classic" stereo systems, has pre functions, and is a killer headphone amp.

PS ... they also have a newer version D2, but that doesn't have the analog input. I use an external phono stage and plug that into the Maverick as well for some of that extra tooby goodness when spinning vinyls.
 
Infinity! said:
So it'd be like a minumum of 1-2k for a tube preamp!? I noticed that their was a slight change when he used the tube buffer, but it wasn't as dramatic as i'd hoped. What brands would u recomend for preamps? I have no idea where to even start looking!
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I'm very happy with my Mapletree 2A SE (6SN7/12SN7 tubes) but it's a very basic preamp, no remote for example. There are many tube preamps at all kinds of price levels, some of the usual suspects are Conrad Johnson and Audio Research at the pricey level, Rogue Audio, Jolida, Decware, really too many to mention at lower price levels. Lots of entertaining reading and research to be done in that area. I picked the Mapletree because I liked the audio philosophy of the designer/builder (A retired professor of Electrical Engineering in Canada)and I like the fact that it is point to point wiring. a very simple design, made in North America, uses commonly available inexpensive NOS tubes (the 12SN7's). But it really is a matter of synergy. Your Infinity's are very nice speakers and deserve good stuff feeding the signal
 
I tried a tube buffer, specifically for taming harsh CDs. It was difficult to characterize any difference in sound. The friend I gave it to likes it, but I'd skip the buffer and go straight for a tube preamp, integrated, or power amp instead.
 
I'd recommend the 6n3 Sain Smart on Amazon. It has volume and gain so technically not a tube buffer but it does impart tube warmth, smoothness and musicality.

At $37 it's a no brainer.
 
sqlsavior said:
I tried a tube buffer, specifically for taming harsh CDs. It was difficult to characterize any difference in sound. The friend I gave it to likes it, but I'd skip the buffer and go straight for a tube preamp, integrated, or power amp instead.
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+1

Originally I looked into some DSP tricks to create the "tube sound" but reading up on them I concluded it is not really possible. Then I got a tube preamp for my SS amp which I liked and then I tried my buddies tube power amp with my tube pre-amp and once I heard that I got a tube power amp. IMO, outside of some high and low frequency roll off/ distortion caused by some output transformers, tube amps do not color or distort the sound. I believe tube amps are actually more accurate than most SS amps, especially in the mid-range and a normal listening levels. I hear more detail with my tube amps, not less, and that simply can not be duplicated with a "buffer" which at best can only change or distort the signal it receives.

My experience is that the tube power amps makes the most difference and some tube preamps don't work well with SS amps. I would just jump into tubes as much and as quickly as you can afford (tube integrated amp maybe?) and enjoy the ride.
 
Poultrygeist said:
Are you looking for something that works well with the Crown XLS 2000?

From the post on down the page this guy ( see link below ) likes the 6n3 tube preamp ( Sain Smart ) with his Crown XLS 2000.

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/amazing-50-3-tube-preamp.496290/page-17

My $37 plug and play giant killer:

P1160005.jpg
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I am actually using 2 GFA 565's for my power amps now (just updated my signature). LOVE these amps, but they are a little on the bright side. For 37 bucks, i might give this a try! Does it really help with taming the highs!?
 
That auction site currently has a Dynaco PAS-4 preamp listed. Excellent tube preamp, manufactured in the mid-90s by Panor. I've had one for almost 20 years now and love it. Soundwise, I'd put it up against $1500 to $2000 preamps. It listed for $1000 way back when.
 
I use one of those X10 clone buffers they sell on ebay for cheap. With a nice set of vintage tubes it seems to bring a little bit of the tube sound to my all SS system. I like it. It sits between my CD player and the preamp.

BillWojo
 
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