[vman71]

Looking for as much feedback and information on the transformer buffer, details, reviews, price, etc.

[PromitheusAudio]

We made a custom basis for EarlyB and another for a customer

It was made for a 1:1 to ration. Its is just a buffer with a set of silver rca input and silver rca output
The price for it was USD360
for now we are going to do this on a custom basis

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=54782.0

thanks
Nicholas

[vman71]

Thanks Nicholas.

I just bought one that became available and couldn't find any information about it.  I did find the thread that you referenced.  It is very limited in information and that's why I was trying to get additional information (e.g., what kind of transformers it uses, where is it best recommended to place it in a system, explanation of the inputs & outputs).  All the questions a prospective buyer would ask to make a decision about whether or not to buy one.

I just bought it because of all the praise regarding your (Promitheus) products.  I don't need a preamp but could benefit from a device like this, I guess.  Anyway, I should have it tomorrow and would benefit from having as much information about it and how it operates.

Thanks,
Mike

[vman71]

Okay, here's the moment of truth.  I hooked it up tonight between my CDP and tube preamp.  My 2ch system is simple and straight forward:

EAD CD-1000 mkIII heavily modified
Tube Technology tube preamp
Custom Stan Warren chip amp
Buggtussel Circa 2-way transmission-line speakers
Most cables are Grover Huffman's newest silver carbon

So in goes the Promitheus transformer buffer.  I don't know which way the switch needs to be to have the transformers on or off.  I started with the switch in the up position.  Immediately, I heard an increase in dynamics, separation, clarity, and the way the midrange sounded along with the instruments.  I put the switch in the down position and I could hear my system return back to the way I remember it.

So, the real question here is - what position does the switch turn on the transformers?  This needs to be answered by Nicholas in order to verify/validate the effectiveness.  Proving that I was truly hearing sonic improvement or that I was thinking I was hearing sonic improvement because I spent money.

Nicholas, I'll wait for you to chime in...

[KKG]

I have three sources, 2 TTs and 1 CDP, how could I benefit from such a device?

Would it have the same or similar effect if the transformer buffer were to be placed between tube preamp and SS power amp?

[PromitheusAudio]

The switch should be on the up position. The effect is correct. Good to hear you can hear the effect very well pronounce.
Of course you can re-verify by toggling the switch. THe effect should be well heard

thanks
Nicholas

[PromitheusAudio]

I have three sources, 2 TTs and 1 CDP, how could I benefit from such a device?

Would it have the same or similar effect if the transformer buffer were to be placed between tube preamp and SS power amp?

I think you have the option of putting in between the CDP and the tube preamp
seems to work best there. Between the SS power amp and tube preamp would be okay but i think closer to the source would be better

thanks
Nicholas

[KKG]

I have three sources, 2 TTs and 1 CDP, how could I benefit from such a device?

Would it have the same or similar effect if the transformer buffer were to be placed between tube preamp and SS power amp?

I think you have the option of putting in between the CDP and the tube preamp
seems to work best there. Between the SS power amp and tube preamp would be okay but i think closer to the source would be better
thanks
Nicholas

If closest to the source is the best then what would be appropriate in my situation would either be (expensive option) one unit each for the three sources that I have or (economical option) have one unit which has a selector switch for the three sources.  Is it possible to manufacture such a transformer buffer, i.e. with a selector switch?
Thankyou.

[PromitheusAudio]

KKG
The economical solution should be a switch. Unless you like giving me extra cash. 

Making it with a switch is not a problem

[vman71]

Just a minor follow-up as I've logged more time with this transformer buffer.  I'll keep it short by saying that I bought this item having never heard a Promitheus product of any kind and, in the case of this rare gem, bought it on the many glowing reviews about Promitheus products.  Heck, when I first got it, I didn't even know how it operated.  What I did hear immediately was an improvement that instantly let me know that I had bought a fantastic product.

Thanks Nicholas!

[vkaiwar]

The Transformer Buffer for the EarMax OTL headphone amplifier arrived a couple of days ago.  It's a very simple device: two transformers with two headphones input/output on the front panel.  I connected it up to my EarMax and let it run for a couple of days with the Densen De Magic CD.  This CD has a number of tones that put a system through its paces.  I listened first to one of my favourite pieces of music, the Shostakovich Symphony #4, with Rudolf Barshai conducting the West German Radio Symphony Orchestra.  It's a immensely powerful work and one that Shostakovich himself loved very much.

My equipment is as follows:
1. CD player Eastern Electric Minimax used as a CD transport
2. Promitheus Audio DAC with Burr Brown OPA627BP op-amps
3. Burson Audio Buffer
4. Promitheus Audio TVC Ref 3
5. EarMax OTL headphone amp (with Telefunken 12AT7 and Sonotone ECC86
tubes)
6. Promitheus Audio H'phone Transformer Buffer
7. Grado SR-225 & Sennheiser HD600 with Cardas Audio cable
8.  Antique Sound Lab MG-SI5DT (Single-ended Pentode 15 watts per channel)
9.  Mission 752f speakers
10.  Balanced Power Transformer 300VA for the front-end equipment
11. Cables by Kimber Kable, Audioquest, Cardas,...

I've always been very fond of the EarMax OTL headphone amp, but it has had limited use thus far.  It can only drive high-impedance headphones like the Sennheiser HD-600 headphones.  Problem is I've never much liked the Sennheisers.  My preference is for the Grado headphones.  I've been using them with a solid-state headphone amp but always felt something was missing.  It seemed a bit slow compared to the EarMax.  But the EarMax amplifier always seemed to clip when I connected the Grados to them. 

With the Shostakovich Symphony #4 I settled down for some initial impressions.  With the Sennheisers the sound was not particularly pleasing, so I put them away.  I then took out the Grados thinking that it would have the same problems as before.  However, to my very pleasant surprise it sounded really good.  The entire frequency spectrum was beautifully reproduced, the instrumental colours were gorgeous and beyond that the flow of music was seamless.  This is one of the strengths of the EarMax headphone amplifier. I'm glad to say that the Promitheus Audio Transformer Buffer preserved and enhanced this strength.  Even the drumbeats were powerful, with no clipping, and the bass was deep and clear.

I expect that with time, perhaps in a week or two of regular play, the Transformer Buffer will improve even further.  It's not always possible to listen to symphonic music over the loudspeakers, especially at night.  With this set up I should be able to do so.

A number of people have complained about service from Nicholas.  I've never had that problem.  As the former editor of an academic journal, who had trouble keeping up with the volume of email I received, I fully sympathize with him not being able to get back to people promptly.  But, I must say he tries immensely to provide a good product at a reasonable price, and his willingness to do custom work at retail prices is unparalleled as far as I know.  I'm planning next to get a balanced power conditioner from Nicholas, having already purchased, prior to the Transformer Buffer, a TVC and a DAC from him.