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Looking at info for a new preamp (AVA) I see one option is a buffered tape output. What does that mean and when would it be important?
I've been in this hobby for many years but don't remember that being listed for any preamp I've owned. Maybe I wasn't paying attention? In the past I've had several cassette decks and one R2R but never gave a thought if the connection was buffered or not.
I still have a cassette with many tapes so would like to listen to those from time to time. In addition I'm looking at an outboard phono EQ for early mono LPs and possibly even 78s and that suggests connecting to a buffered tape loop.
I sent an inquiry to AVA but no reply so thanks if you can clarify for me.
"You can't know what the "best" is unless you have heard everything, and keep in mind that given individual tastes, there really isn't any such thing." HP
Follow Ups:
Some tape decks cause distortion in the source unit when they are turned off, a buffer stops this.
The Modulus 3 have buffered tape outputs-
they are actually one of the best parts of the circuit!
Happy Listening
Some preamps simply connect the tape output directly to the source component similar to using a Y-adapter. A buffered tape output places an amplifier stage in-between the source and the tape output so there can be no electrical interference to the source component from anything connected to the tape output.
Best regards,
John Elison
Shouldn't the buffer be ZERO gain?
Too much is never enough
> Shouldn't the buffer be ZERO gain?
No! It should be unity gain. However, I think that's probably what you meant.
Unity gain equals a gain of 1, which also equals a gain of 0-dB.
Yes, by zero I meant whatever comes IN goes OUT unchanged.
IE: 'The buffer should have NO gain'.
'Unity' is one of those Technical Terms, isn't it?
Too much is never enough
I don't know if "unity" is a technical term or not. It simply means "1." A buffer amplifier with a gain of "1" provides no amplification and whatever comes IN goes OUT unchanged. It is the same as a gain of zero-decibels, which is definitely a technical term.
Just having a grin.
But seriously,
The ONE thing about a unity gain device is that you KNOW if it does or does NOT invert polarity.
That might make a difference.
Too much is never enough
that there's a low impedance source driving the output as phono stages and line sources are often not well suited by themselves.
It is also why comparing evaluating a cable via a tape monitor loop is useless because you are insulating it from real world impedance matching issues experienced between sources or power amps.
go to the link
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