A little tube magic?

I just use my same setup for music and TV (and the Husker football games sound great: better than how the team performs).  I have an McIntosh MX110z and the TV is plugged into the Aux input, the disc player into the tape monitor, and the turntable plugged into the Phono input.  It gives me everything I need and sounds great; if I have to replace some tubes, so be it.

I just want to say, good luck, with the caveat: I have gotten clever, too clever for my own good a few times. Very proud of myself, until I wasn't. 

I currently have a C50 with a 452 McIntosh amp. I use the tape/processor loop with a Yaqin tube buffer, utilizing Psvane UK-6SN7 tubes. Wanted a way to warm up or smooth out the digital verse the great sound of our analog sources. This set-up works, and what is nice is the ability to either have the tubes or not with the push of a button on the preamp. I am always looking for a better tube buffer, but to date I have not found one that is both in budget and is the right size for my limited space. I also like the 6SN7 tubes over the 12AX7's, sounds better to my ears. Also many options for rolling.
 With your C46 you should have the same results, while not spending big money. Good luck and enjoy the music. 

Ralph,
Are you shipping your GaN amp?.....if so, what do the customers think?.....and how much is it? Any specs besides 100 watts?

@ricevs 
We are shipping limited production. We posted one customer's comments (which seem pretty typical) on the feedback section of our website. Right now they are priced at 5300/pair.


The amp makes 100 Watts into 8 Ohms and 200 into 4; to that end we are being conservative. It can drive a 4 Ohm load at 200 watts all day long without overheating. The amp has balanced and single-ended inputs. It uses a linear power supply rather than switching. The switching frequency is about 500KHz. Phase shift at 20KHz is less than 1 degree- about the same as our tube amps. The output impedance is about 10milliOhms. The distortion signature is very similar to our OTLs, with the lower ordered harmonics dominating and higher orders falling off with an exponential decay. This allows it a smooth presentation.

I have a Krell system and Thiel CS6 speakers and I had wondered the same thing - would there be any benefit from introducing tubes into the signal chain. I have tried three different options. Here is my experience with each:

Jolida Fox SS-X - I currently have this hooked up to my desktop system but I originally bought it for my full rig. First of all, it is not subtle. You either like what it does or you don't but at least in my system it has an unmistakable sonic signature. I pretty quickly decided that I didn't like it and I moved it to my desktop system where it works really well. The soundstage control is very nice with nearfield listening and the tube effect compliments this system (Denon integrated, Polk desktop speakers, Topping D50s DAC).  I've put it back in my main system a few times and I always came away with the observation that it is interesting but it reduces the definition in the bass and it adds some darkness to the lower treble which aren't complimentary to the sound. In my desktop system it's just what the doctor ordered.

Yaqin SD CD-3 Tube Buffer - I use this in the tape loop of my Krell KRC-2 preamp (amp is a KSA 300S). Unlike the Jolida, the effect of this unit is very subtle. It's easy to switch it in and out of the signal path and it took me a while to detect any difference. The best way I can describe the effect is that it adds a little sparkle to the high frequencies. I like the effect (it certainly does no harm in my system) and I leave it in the signal path all the time. I bought a pair of fancy tubes but I haven't rolled them yet.

Black Ice (Jolida) Glass FX Tube DAC III W - A similar unit won a listening competition in Arizona against a bunch of well reviewed DACS and for the price ($700) I decided to give it a chance. I have a PSA PerfectWave MkII DAC, a PSA PW Transport, a Marantz SA 8005 (SACD) and a Krell CD 250/2 (HDCD) player, and a vintage Resolution Audio DAC (HDCD). My experience is that the SQ difference between modern DACS and players is pretty subtle and the Glass FX fits that pattern. Three of my units (PW MK II DAC, SA 8005 player, and Glass FX) sound so similar that I would have trouble telling them apart in a blind test. Depending on the recording, I think I can hear a little better soundstage depth and articulation with the Glass FX but it's something you really have to listen for. I also bought a pair of fancy tubes for this unit and I haven't tried them yet.

My recommendation would be to play around with some inexpensive alternatives before dropping a lot of money on a tube preamp. You can also pick up an older unit like a ARC preamp that is known to have an obvious tube character and see if you like it.