Hi Folks, I had the pleasure of listening to the Tortuga Buffer after ponger.
My system consists of three sources.
Michell Gyro Dec SE/Rega RB-600/Grace F9E>Avid Pellar Phono
Pioneer PLX-1000/Paradox Bodied Shure SC35C>Muse Model One Phono
Marantz CD6004>Rega DAC
Preamp is the Tortuga LDR3.V2 feeding either my modified Moscode 300, or Muse Model 100. Speakers are Audio Physic Virgo 2 and KEF R400b subwoofer.
I first tried the Buffer with my Modified Moscode 300. This amp has an usually high input impedance of 274 kilohm, making it an ideal candidate for use with a passive pre. Unfortunately, adding the buffer in front of the Moscode did not provide any meaningful improvement.
Now when I put the Buffer in front of my Muse Model 100 (Zin 50 kilohm), the buffer added dynamics and better bass!
50 kilohm is still pretty high, so I'm hoping we'll hear from some folks who try the Buffer with amps that have a Zin between 10-35 kilohm.
With my Muse in the system The Buffer added a bit of heft to the lower registers that was greatly appreciated on rock/pop tracks. The buffer was largely transparent, rivaling comparably priced preamps, but not as transparent as the LDR3.V2 by itself. I thought the buffer would really help the vinyl side of my system, so I was surprised that it was the digital side of my system sounded so dramatically better with the buffer. My Rega DAC has a Zout of 600 ohms, which is a little high, and the buffer really showed what impedance matching can do. The Buffer did indeed give LP's a firmer foundation, especially the Michell/Avid set up. I liked the tonal balance that the Buffer provided. I did not notice a change in the width or depth of the soundstage in my system.
I enjoyed my time with the Buffer and would like to thank Morten for having me on the tour. It was very educational. I feel like I have a better practical understanding of the relationship between gain, impedance, and current!
Jeff