Topic: Tube Pre amplifier or Tube Buffer

[kemozavi]

Good day everyone, i need some expert advice on my next purchase, I'm kinda torned between getting a tube buffer or a tube pre amplifier, assuming both devices are on the same class and manufacturer which one should give me a "generally" better sounding system? I'll be using it primarily on T AMPS, and MONOBOCK amplifiers, i'm not concerned with the fact that a tube buffer wouldn't give me the ability to adjust the volume of the amplifiers.

Thanks!

[alexg]

What are you trying to accomplish? Tube sound?

[odyopayl]

First, the Pre-Amp have inputs and volume control. Tube buffer is simply a pass thru thing for one source like CD Player.
Assuming for your digital source, I recommend a tube buffer. Alexg is correct it depends on your purpose what you really want to achieve, tube sounding on your digital source or  whatever

[kemozavi]

First, the Pre-Amp have inputs and volume control. Tube buffer is simply a pass thru thing for one source like CD Player.
Assuming for your digital source, I recommend a tube buffer. Alexg is correct it depends on your purpose what you really want to achieve, tube sounding on your digital source or  whatever

thanks for your replies.

[omeldoc]

I've got both, but on two different set-ups. They change certain qualities/characteristics of the sound, might be good or might be bad to your ears. depende talaga kasi sa gears and your room dynamics/characteristics. In my case, the tube pre-amp sounds more dynamic than just adding the buffer altho like i said, sa magkaibang set nakakabit and magkaibang room. YMMV talaga.

[rascal101]

Good day everyone, i need some expert advice on my next purchase, I'm kinda torned between getting a tube buffer or a tube pre amplifier, assuming both devices are on the same class and manufacturer which one should give me a "generally" better sounding system? I'll be using it primarily on T AMPS, and MONOBOCK amplifiers, i'm not concerned with the fact that a tube buffer wouldn't give me the ability to adjust the volume of the amplifiers.

Thanks!

Sir,

Instead of tube buffer or tube pre-amplifier, you might want to try my passive linestage.

http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php/topic,112338.msg1170984.html#msg1170984

Some reviews
http://www.wiredstate.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=21634&start=40#p370247
http://www.wiredstate.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=23198#p372099

[Nelson de Leon]

Do buffers increase the gain or voltage of the pre-outs?

[JojoD818]

Do buffers increase the gain or voltage of the pre-outs?

Sir,

Buffers (tube/ss/logic) all have a gain of 1 (ideally) so no, it doesn't increase the gain of the input signal.

[Nelson de Leon]

Sir,

Buffers (tube/ss/logic) all have a gain of 1 (ideally) so no, it doesn't increase the gain of the input signal.

What about passive buffers (tama ba, meron ba nito) or passive preamp?

[JojoD818]

A buffer is a circuit that has a high impedance input and a low impedance output. Primarily used to "couple" a relatively high impedance source to a preceding stage so that the source will not be "loaded". In our hobby, it is used to isolate the signal source such as a cdp from the next stage such as a preamp, it is also useful in driving long cable interconnects.

I don't see how this would be possible with an unpowered passive circuit.

[Nelson de Leon]

A buffer is a circuit that has a high impedance input and a low impedance output. Primarily used to "couple" a relatively high impedance source to a preceding stage so that the source will not be "loaded". In our hobby, it is used to isolate the signal source such as a cdp from the next stage such as a preamp, it is also useful in driving long cable interconnects.

I don't see how this would be possible with an unpowered passive circuit.

Understood! Thanks for the explanation.