is there much point in a tube buffer?

[fault151]

Hi,i have read quite a bit about tube buffers for your system, i just wondered what other though to them and whether they are worth getting?

I have seen a couple that look pretty good but i didn't want to rush in before i asked on forums first. I was looking at the music fidelity x-10.

It would be nice to hear your thoughts on the subject.


Thank you

[Deleted]

fault151
The 2 main questions that you have to ask yourself are:
1. Does the source equipment have a reasonably low impedance ? (Check the manufacturers
specifications) If it is <220 ohms there is little to be gained by using a valve type buffer, and likely some negatives , UNLESS :
2. You want to get the valve "sound" from a solid state source.

SandyK

[insomniac]

Jan 7, 2009 1:17:13 GMT mrarroyo said:

Everything and anything benefits from tubes, I am in the process of modding my toaster oven w/ a sextet of 6550's. Toasted bread has never tasted so good!

Next ... pressure cooker w/ EL34's of maybe 7591A's.

So what really happened to that ozzy built Jaycar in Miami?

Failed tube buffer modification??

Come on.....own up

[robertkd]

not until you consider 6550's

[Deleted]

Jan 7, 2009 9:23:42 GMT robertkd said:

not until you consider 6550's

What's wrong with a pair of 6146s ?
Anyway, it's all a moot point, because very few members here would be capable of constructing such beasts and living to tell the tale !

[leo]

I've got a quad set of 6550C and GEC KT88's boxed up with a valve amp sat under the bed, probably the best place for it ;D

[rickcr42]

It would be nice to hear your thoughts on the subject.

if your driving source is one with a highish output impoedance then yes the choice being WAY better than the alternative one which is very-high input impedance solid state which is in effect a radio receiver unless you take corrective measures-some of which may or may not be audible.

If adding one "just because" then the answer would normally be "no" and I say normally because if done right,and by right I mean you are not looking to modify the actual sonic profile (as in the ever popular warming it up ) and your system is one that is all solid state thus likely very two-dimensional then the tube buffer may bring back some of the "life" you have been missing by expanding the left-to-right you presently have to left-right-height-depth.Tubes do the sense of "space" better than just about any solid state gear while again,if done right,with the same amount of overall accuracy but with the "plus" of never being a radio receiver unless designed from the outset to BE one ;D

[fault151]

I'm not sure about my source, i'll have to look it up. I would be using it with tub gear mostly but i do have a few solid state amps too.

How can it have a negative effect if i bough one to try? What is it likely to do?

[rickcr42]

How can it have a negative effect if i bough one to try?

Well being a "buffer" its function is meant to be a "bridge" which in a nutshell means takes what goes in and matches it via the output doing the task of either correcting for impedance mismatches (high-Z source driving a low-Z input,common when you try to use a tube preamp with a solid state power amp) OR as a means to increase output drive for longish cable runs or bitch to drive next stage inputs or both.

The trick is to do the job described above and NO MORE !

No more as in effect the SQ of the original signal in any detrimental way such as using a buffer to correct for or "warm up" a sterile and cold solid state system because if and when you upgrade the other parts this former "fix" will become the weak link tht colors everything that goes through it no matter HOW good the rest of the system.

Long story short there is no generalized answer when the buffer in question is the "X" part of the system equation having no known parameters other than it is there thus needs to be accounted for in the equation.Buffers are not all created equal so it is more accurate to say

"will buffer "X" sound better or worse in MY system which consists of A,B,Y and Z componants.To add it just to do it rather than to fullfill an actual system need just an expensive way to add another reason to purchase two more sets of interconnects at best and at worst add something that has total control over what the end SQ will be and if it is blatantly an obvious sonic change (no matter if you think it sounds good or bad) will become THE dominant factor in how your system sounds.

Bad audio gear lets you know it is there,good audio gear blends into the background.

Or better put-kinda like the guy who will tell you without the asking how tough he is then about ten minutes later watching him get his ass kicked by the quiet guy who is the REAL bad ass and being such has no need to toot his own horn

[toad]

Jan 7, 2009 1:17:13 GMT mrarroyo said:

Everything and anything benefits from tubes, I am in the process of modding my toaster oven w/ a sextet of 6550's. Toasted bread has never tasted so good!

Next ... pressure cooker w/ EL34's of maybe 7591A's.

The trouble with this statement is I actually believe you Miguel ;D

[robertkd]

Jan 7, 2009 11:18:48 GMT leo said:

I've got a quad set of 6550C and GEC KT88's boxed up with a valve amp sat under the bed, probably the best place for it ;D

gee thought that would come out for winter mmm warmth in more ways then one

Jan 7, 2009 1:17:13 GMT mrarroyo said:

Everything and anything benefits from tubes, I am in the process of modding my toaster oven w/ a sextet of 6550's. Toasted bread has never tasted so good!

Next ... pressure cooker w/ EL34's of maybe 7591A's.

I would have thought 6L6's for the pressure cooker, EL34's are more your crock pot, all day cooker

[rickcr42]

I would have thought 6L6's for the pressure cooker, EL34's are more your crock pot, all day cooker

then season to taste with KT88's