2. amps-preamps
  3. 177314-157966

Are Tube Buffers for real or even worth it ?

Currently on one of my set ups I’m running a Carver TFM-35X amp through a Parasound ZPre3 Preamp to some Maggi .7’s.  Being I really prefer a tube sound I was wondering if I picked up a Tube Buffer for a few bucks and ran it from the output of the Parasound preamp to the input of the Carver TFF-35x amp would it tame the carver’s output to more of a warmer tube type sound out of the Maggi’s? Has anyone tried anything like this and been happy with the results? 

The Amp is a beast but just a tad Solid State sounding for my taste but kicks butt none the less. 

Any thoughts? 

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jl35
3,909 posts
 

I have an upgraded Zamp v3 , with a Schiit Saga with upgraded tube, and it sounds great and fun to play around with...

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,088 posts
 

I have always found that every time I add something in the sound path, I get some good, but also some bad. Either something is muted or something now has more noise. So I try and keep things short and simple. Preamp, amp, speakers, or on my second system it’s integrated, speakers. 
 

All the best.

JD

wolfie62
346 posts
 

You have to be careful using the inexpensive tube “buffer” preamps. Some are just straight wires input to output. The tubes only see filament voltage. I have one; only when I pulled off the covers, traced the circuit board, did I find that there was no “tube buffer”.  
 

Another one I have uses a unity gain opamp with only filament voltage to the tubes. 
 

Three times is the charm….The third one I bought actually uses the tubes for unity gain. 
 

And….The whole idea is to add tube harmonics to the sound! So yeah, they are distortion machines!!  LOL!!!!

ticat's avatar
ticat
322 posts
 

Save your money for a proper piece of tube equipment...

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