Tube buffer in tape loop@

I had a look at this.  Wow, tone controls! I remember those.
Looks like a very good idea, thanks.  Instead of adding one item, which would add one kind of colouration to the sound, I would get something much more versatile, and much cheaper.
I could still use the tape loop, and bypass it altogether when not in use.

yeah, it's very versatile. maybe unfortunate from a purist's perspective but there is so much great music whose recording/mastering job might disagree with one's system. i personally prefer having a way to tweak and color as needed, but (equally important, imho) it's also totally inaudible when flat on my setup.

I agree; good to have the option, especially at such a low price.  Unfortunately out of stock in the UK, and a 6-8 week lead time if I were to order from the US

I got a Yaqin SD-CD3 tube buffer and I use it in my tape loop with no problems. I have a Krell KRC-2 pre and and KSA 300S amp running Thiel CS6 speakers. I got this thing because it was a cheap way to see if inserting tubes in the signal path would have any benefit. It turns out that I like what it does and I use it most of the time. It adds a little sparkle and depth but is quite subtle. It doesn't darken the sound or add any sort of veil.

I ordered new tubes (Mullard design new production) to see what difference a different set of tubes will make. I used to have a recording studio with several tube mic preamps and I was surprised how much difference a different set of tubes could have in those units.

My philosophy is that assembling your audio system is a project in managing distortion. All kinds of distortion is added in the recording chain and each subsequent step in the playback chain has its own issues. If a tube buffer adds some second and fourth harmonics and that is pleasant then so be it.

The tube buffer is a completely different thing than a tone control. The buffer doesn't alter the frequency balance as far as I can tell. It just makes the instruments a little more focused in the soundstage and it makes instruments like acoustic guitar sound a little more like what we think an acoustic guitar should should sound like (more sparkle if that makes sense).

On a side note, my experience with the Yaqin was so positive that I have ordered a Black Ice tube DAC. This unit won a shootout in Arizona against some other well regarded DACs and I suspect that the Fosgate designed tube output stage adds a touch of pleasant harmonics. I have a PSA PerfectWave II DAC and transport that sounds really good but for 800 bucks I decided to try the Black Ice. We'll see what happens.

Thanks, that's very interesting.
I e-mailed Shiit UK, who told me that after all, they have these units in stock.  I think I'll start off by ordering one of those, and keep the tube buffer in mind for the future.
At present, Amazon UK shows the Yaqin to be "currently unavailable"