This is pretty funny actually. The purpose of a buffer is to compensate for incompatibility in impedances between components, the input impedance of a buffer being very high, and the output impedance being very low. I know that it is obvious, but that is why it is called a "buffer", not a makeyourhifisoundtubeywhatzit. It is a very useful device if the driving source has a higher output impedance such as inexpensive CD or DVD players that use op amp based output stages driving inputs of highish input impedance or long cable runs. Presumably, your preamp and amp are matched, so better sound does not come from adding a set of interconnects and an active device between them, a cheap active device, with a minimal power supply to boot. My best advice is to save for a nice tube preamp. They come up on Audiogon frequently starting around $300.00. If you like it, you will be able to sell your present preamp and recoup a substatial part of your investment and probably end up in a pretty similar place cost wise. And yes, I actually own a tube buffer, but do not use it. Just my two cents.