Tube Buffer

I put the tube buffer in the tape loop of my preamp so I can implement or defeat it with any source component by switching on or off the tape monitor. Sure is convenient. But is this equivalent to putting it in front of an individual source component?

Tantra, that's a good way to do it. I used to have mine set up that way and it worked well. I think it puts the buffer between the source and the preamp; I don't believe it can put it in front of the source component.

In one of my systems I found that components plugged into my tape monitor (not the loop, just the input) sounded better than those selected by the rotary selector switch. That could be worth exploring. Also, if you like the sound of your system better with the tube buffer, you could try putting it between your preamp and amplifier; but that way you wouldn't have the option of switching it out.

The main thing is to experiment and have fun!

hi, i dit it before when i put it between amp and pre amp it add too much distotion , i think it works great between cd player and preamp

Duypham,

The results would vary depending on the input impedance of the particular amp used as well as its input sensitivity. It may not have worked well with your particular gear, but it may work very well in another system that provides a better impedance/sensitivity match...

Wow, not very complete answers here. A buffer, be it tube, or transistor, presents the driving component with a very high impedance, making it super easy to drive, particularly for the IC based output stages of inexpensive CD players and DVD players. In addition, it has a very low output impedance, which makes it very good at driving the input of the receiving component, as well as minimizing the effects of long interconnect runs. I beleve that the MF has one db of gain, which is incidental, but it will make it a tich louder. As mentioned, there will be a change in the distortion spectra, though these are generally pretty low distortion devices. Any active device, and the extra cable required to implement it will change the sound.