I tried another (cheap) buffer and was disappointed. Went to $1,400 tubed pre as a buffer and happy

Posted by Elizabeth (A) on May 12, 2012 at 05:41:23

In Reply to: Indeed buffer amp posted by Tubers on May 11, 2012 at 23:12:12:

So it was not a cheap jump for me, but the $150 tubed buffer i bought just did nothing for the sound.
I had a chance to buy a $4K tubed preamp to use as a fancy tubed buffer for $1,500 and did so. That worked very well.
So IMO no, a cheap tubed buffer is not going to solve the issue you have.
Though buffers show up in used ads all the time. Buy one used, and then if it does not work out you can sell it for about what you paid.

My uber cheapskate suggestion is to put ferrite beads on your CD player interconnects. Expensive ones from AudioQuest, or cheaper from Radio Shack snap on the cables. They attenuate the HF a little. Or also try other cables.
Cheap cables with copper litz forms of wire would be the most useful.
Also a cheap powerline conditioner might help on the Cd player. The cheapest is ferrite snap on right on the Cd power cord. One at the player back, and one near the AC wall plug. I use them on all my digital stuff with captive cords.. all the time.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Indeed buffer amp - Tubers 23:12:12 05/11/12 (11)

RE: Indeed buffer amp - hennfarm 20:08:39 05/14/12 (0)

Do have an impedance mismatch problem? - E-Stat 12:33:22 05/14/12 (0)

Any system..... - Ozzy 17:11:52 05/12/12 (0)

RE: Indeed buffer amp - Awe-d-o-file 06:47:13 05/12/12 (3)

Toilet paper and duct tape. - Tony Lauck 14:33:23 05/12/12 (2)

RE: Toilet paper and duct tape. - Awe-d-o-file 21:34:05 05/12/12 (1)

RE: Toilet paper and duct tape. - Tony Lauck 09:45:17 05/13/12 (0)

I tried another (cheap) buffer and was disappointed. Went to $1,400 tubed pre as a buffer and happy - Elizabeth 05:41:23 05/12/12 (3)

Respectfully must disagree, I've run across litz ICs that added grit and made things worse. - cfb 07:06:27 05/12/12 (2)

I bought a $2,400 DAC and found it to be inferior to my old Adcom DAC. I returned the new one. nt - Elizabeth 14:15:24 05/12/12 (1)

If the OP is looking for dirt cheap, a 12AX7 ART DI/O DAC can be had for $60 ebay, had quite the following - cfb 16:06:43 05/12/12 (0)

Follow Ups

I tried another (cheap) buffer and was disappointed. Went to $1,400 tubed pre as a buffer and happy - Elizabeth 05:41:23 05/12/12 (3)

Respectfully must disagree, I've run across litz ICs that added grit and made things worse. - cfb 07:06:27 05/12/12 (2)

I bought a $2,400 DAC and found it to be inferior to my old Adcom DAC. I returned the new one. nt - Elizabeth 14:15:24 05/12/12 (1)

If the OP is looking for dirt cheap, a 12AX7 ART DI/O DAC can be had for $60 ebay, had quite the following - cfb 16:06:43 05/12/12 (0)

I tried another (cheap) buffer and was disappointed. Went to $1,400 tubed pre as a buffer and happy

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