[schw06]

I am considering putting a tube buffer between my source and integrated amp to add a hair of weight and air to the music. Wondering if anyone has had success with this route and which tube buffer they preferred?

[orientalexpress]

i think u already have since you have Modwright transporter.i use the transporter as a DAC with my arcam CDP.That itself sound awsome because of the TUBE input and output mod by Dan.plus u get to Tube roll with different Tube 


lapsan

[S Clark]

The Grant Fidelity buffer has a dramatic affect on SS electronics-mostly positive.  Not so much with my tube pre and amp.

[bunnyma357]

I have a Musical Fidelity X-10 v3 Tube buffer that I run between the pre-out / amp-in of my Yamaha DSP-A3090 AVR, and it relieves  some of the digital harshness, but it is fairly subtle. I would think with the quality of your components most of the buffers would be more detrimental to the sound. With a mid-fi system like mine it is a plus.

Jim C

[maxwalrath]

I've had some set-ups where it helped (using ss amps), and others where I didn't notice any difference (using tube amps).  In all circumstances I was using a tubed cdp (either Heart or njoe tjoeb). 

I ended up selling my buffer once I decided to get rid of my ss amp.  I'd say to go ahead and buy a Musical Fidelity buffer used of A-gon and try it out.  If you get it at a fair price, you won't lose more than $20 on the re-sale if you don't like it.

[Wind Chaser]

The Decware ZBOX is $400 and hand made in the USA.  It put tube bloom and air around the instruments in a previous SS system.  It was definitely an upgrade and not a mere change in the sound.  You can try it without risk or regret as Steve Deckert has a 30 money back satisfaction guarantee.

for more info... http://www.decware.com/newsite/zbox.htm

[bowmore]

I have owned 2 of the MF x whatever v3 w/ outboard power supply and the Eastern Electric BBA. The MF added significant dynamic range, more extension at the extremes and more detail. There was no downside. It really didn't make anything sound richer or fatter like you might want tubes to do. The EE was a very different animal. It allowed me to retune my entire system and each CD. It really didn't do what the MF did, but it make everything sound rich and full and once I got used to how it worked, I could dial it in for differences in quality between CD's as fast as you could turn a bass or treble knob. The MF made the biggest difference on cheaper equipment. Once your equipment and interconnects are of a high enough quality, it really didn't help. It didn't help at all once I got my Monarchy NM-24 and ran it into my EE M520. The EE BBA makes ANY system sound better. It always improves any output of any CD/SACD/DAC and any preamp, SS or tube. it is a very unique and amazing product. Highest recommendation.