[rollo]

Just would like to clarify that what is being called a Preamp from Promitheus is a BUFFER. When you use it in conjunction with TVC the combination is a Preamp or linestage.
       With that said we put the Promitheus Buffer up against the bulletproof Musical Fidelity Buffer using a Sony NS775V universal player.
       The MF almost budget component of the year was listened to first. Pretty good sound. Good tonality, soundstage, very good soundstage. Then we inserted the Promitheus in the mix. The Promitheus is a two box unit. A 5Y4 tube regulated power supply with balanced output trannies and the Buffer with 6N1P inputs and trannie output.
        It was no contest. With the 6Db of gain added by the Promitheus theoverall presentation was outstanding. Especially the bass. As good as the MF was the Promitheus was that much better. I could go on for pages explaining the differences, but you get the picture.
         If you are looking for a Buffer to put in between your CDP, DVD player and your preamp or amp this is it. If you have a solid state CDP with volume control your in like Flynn.

  Happy listening
rollo

[studley]

Rollo

Thanks for the helpful comments.  Does this mean it can be used in the same way as the Burson buffer? (But then again why would I need 6db of gain when my my CDP outputs at least 2volts?)

[tanchiro58]

the Buffer with 6N1P inputs

rollo,

I had the MF tube (2x12ax7s) buffer before. It was pretty good sounding when adding to SS CDP. But why Promitheus uses 6N1p for? There are plenty of good musical tubes outhere like WE417A, 6BL7, 6J5, etc... I do not know much about tubes but Russian tubes can not compare to US and European NOS tubes sonically. 

A 5Y4 tube regulated power supply

It is 5Y3 rectifier tube but I wish Nick will replace with 5U4 or NOS U52 would be better I guess.

Tan

 

[JLM]

Rollo,

I have a couple of ?s:

1.  Not to quibble, but isn't a buffer strictly a zero gain device?

2.  Is the MF buffer you mention the X-10v3 or the previous X10-D?  I've heard all kinds of reports from these units, everything from very helpful, marginally helpful, useless, and dangerous.  From all the comments I gathered that the results are very system dependent.  So why did you refer to it as "bulletproof"?  (I don't recall it being suggested as a possible "budget component of the year" by anyone, more like a lukewarm overall response.  The Burson Buffer from OZ OTOH is a current darling among Squeeze Box users, see the Boulder Cable circle.)

3.  Are you suggesting that the Promitheus TVC is of no value if your digital source has a good volume control, or that comparatively speaking the buffer is that much better?

[rollo]

Rollo,

I have a couple of ?s:

1.  Not to quibble, but isn't a buffer strictly a zero gain device?

2.  Is the MF buffer you mention the X-10v3 or the previous X10-D?  I've heard all kinds of reports from these units, everything from very helpful, marginally helpful, useless, and dangerous.  From all the comments I gathered that the results are very system dependent.  So why did you refer to it as "bulletproof"?  (I don't recall it being suggested as a possible "budget component of the year" by anyone, more like a lukewarm overall response.  The Burson Buffer from OZ OTOH is a current darling among Squeeze Box users, see the Boulder Cable circle.)

3.  Are you suggesting that the Promitheus TVC is of no value if your digital source has a good volume control, or that comparatively speaking the buffer is that much better?

   


  JLM,
          Buffer can have gain. Depending on what you desire. Gain or no gain. My error on Budget component of year. Was thinking of something else. Thank you for the correction. They did sell 48,500 units though as per their web site. It was the X-10v3 unit verses the Promitheus. Bullet proof was my opinion, sorry.
         With reference to Burson buffer. Very popular as you say, but not up to the performance of Promitheus Buffer. We conducted a direct comparison of Burson and Promitheus and the Promitheus was preferred.
          Get on the tour of Buffer and find out for yourself.

   rollo

[rollo]

the Buffer with 6N1P inputs

rollo,

I had the MF tube (2x12ax7s) buffer before. It was pretty good sounding when adding to SS CDP. But why Promitheus uses 6N1p for? There are plenty of good musical tubes outhere like WE417A, 6BL7, 6J5, etc... I do not know much about tubes but Russian tubes can not compare to US and European NOS tubes sonically. 

A 5Y4 tube regulated power supply

It is 5Y3 rectifier tube but I wish Nick will replace with 5U4 or NOS U52 would be better I guess.

Tan


       

 

   
Tan,
         My error on 5Y3 tube, a typo. The 6N1P can be replaced with a 7308, 6DJ8, 6922 or E188CC. I am using Mullard E188CC tubes with wonderfull results.
          Why Promitheus choose the 6N1P is a good question. You will have to ask Nicholas as he designed Buffer. I have no clue. He is working on a Buffer with 2A3 tubes at the moment. No that is a fine tube.

  rollo 

  P.S. Studley 6 db of gain can be a good thing. My CDP has a 3.3V output. No problem.

[shanyau]

Rollo

What are the values of the bypass V-cap you are using?
I want to get some to try.
The addon bypass sure will affect the sound, for good and bad.
I tried out the Auricap 0.47uF as bypass. Definitely not for the two tube socket's caps.
Then I tried WIMA 0.01uF Black Box with very positive results. Not more air and improve in base.

Shan

[rollo]

Shan,
          The values are .022. They will take 400 to 500 Hrs to fully break in according to Chris at VH. They are the bomb IMO. Never have I heard a cap of this quality.
           Nicholas is now offering these caps to owners of Promitheus gear for a special price. You will have to email him for price as it is a special offer for Promitheus customers only. Can not advertise the price as it is a special offering at this time. They are about $45US each retail. You will not pay retail, that is all I know.

 rollo

[rollo]

Well the V-caps are fully broken in with 500 plus hours. To my ears it is a major improvement over the NOS Aerovox and Phillips caps. Every area has been improved.
         I would recommend trying these caps anywhere you can. The Teflon caps are about $45 each so not cheap but well worth the money IMO.
           Next up is replacing the cap in the power supply to a Blackgate or Rubycon. There is one Ceratone cap in there now. Its worth a try. This thing is a tweakers delight.
           The stock tubes are fine. However a 7308 seems to outperform the stock 6N1P in my application. The5Y3 in the power supply again sounds fine but for my system the Tungsol 5AR4 sounds better. So like all other tubed components you can tweak the sonic result by tube rolling, if you so desire.
           Have fun.

  rollo