[Escott1377]

I need some recommendations on a tube buffer only.  Due to my 2 year old twins taking over more and more space in the house, I am loosing my listening space.  I have a mid tier system (around $40k) and am very familiar with tubes - current system uses a tube DAC, tube pre, and tube mono blocs in my bi amp config.

I am going to be moving to strictly a desktop setup with my pair of Hifiman HE560's.

My budget is going to be pretty limited on what I can invest and everything will now be high rez FLAC.

I am set on these 2 pieces:

http://www.schiit.com/products/asgard-2 - I know Schiit offers a tube option, but I need power to driver my headphones

http://www.schiit.com/products/modi-2 w/ the multi bit option for 24/192

I would like to add some tube warmth in between.

Not sure where to even start looking and is there an option in the $200 range that is worthwhile?

I would love something using say an 12AT7 since I was buying a lot of NOS Raytheons when my pre used that tube, also NOS gold pin Mullards if a 6922 option is available.

Thanks in advance - just need some help with a starting point.

Please pour a little beer out tonight for me (or beverage of your choice) as I lose my sacred place.  Packed away until I get to buy a new house (:

[FullRangeMan]

I really like this unit as I cant afford it even used Iam suggesting this tubed preamp to you:
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=159195.0
It even can enlarge your HE560 soundstage to 30/60/90 degress a superb feature even to floorstanding speakers.

[Escott1377]

I really like this unit as I cant afford it even used Iam suggesting this tubed preamp to you:
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=159195.0
It even can enlarge your HE560 soundstage to 30/60/90 degress a superb feature even to floorstanding speakers.

Hitting above my price range.  I have an awesome tube pre that used a pair of NOS Clifte 12 AU7's and a pair of EML 300B mesh tubes so I have a fall back.

https://www.transcendentsound.com/masterpiece.html

I am trying to find something w/in the parameters that I described (also allowing me to buy a few products from Schiit since I have been wanting to check them out for a while).

[sonicboom]

Your are considering the Asgard at $250 and you will then be spending something say around $100 or more on a buffer. Is there a reason you're not considering the Valhalla with the tube output stage? Schiit claims that it will drive even 32 Ohm Grado's without issue. I don' have direct experience with any of their products, but barring any user experience indicating inadequate drive into low impedance loads, the Valhalla should fit the bill.

[Escott1377]

Your are considering the Asgard at $250 and you will then be spending something say around $100 or more on a buffer. Is there a reason you're not considering the Valhalla with the tube output stage? Schiit claims that it will drive even 32 Ohm Grado's without issue. I don' have direct experience with any of their products, but barring any user experience indicating inadequate drive into low impedance loads, the Valhalla should fit the bill.

Yeah I heard back from Schiit that Valhalla will work.  Problem solved - thanks

[who?me?]

Escott, in that price range,
are there single-unit systems that could do what you want?

Just wondering, b/c I think you would get the best value for your dollar with the single unit, b/c you won't be spending extra $ on cables to connect at least 3 units (DAC, BUFFER, AMP) and if you go cheap and have regular cables -even the Schiit  $25 dollar hobbies- then there will be more degradation of sound as it passes in/out of multiple channels. 

Are you familiar with ...  https://www.head-fi.org ?? the classifieds and forums there?
might be helpful