Can someone explain

Sometimes I will replace all the tubes with 'matched' tubes when one blows. then, I keep the still functional (mis)matched tubes as replacements for when I might need them. Yes, this can make sense.

Still, I do think of those times from the 1960's, etc. when the brand and vintage really did not matter at all. As in, when running 6550 tubes, replace with a 6550...unless all you have is the KT88.

You may want to keep tube of similar parameters in the buffer stage which is to my mind equal to an electron removal system. Since your VT-231s are almost certainly GTs then I would use GT buffer tubes. RCA made civilian GTs by the billions and you can get true NOS tubes if you want for fairly low amounts. However a true NOS tube is not needed and a used "good" pair will suffice. If you can't get them for $15 to $20 each email me. I may (can) be able to help as in I own a ton and don't use them.

In a cathode follower stage, which is analogous to an emitter follower in a solid state circuit, a resistor is placed in series with the cathode, the input is applied to the grid, the plate is connected to the usual high dc voltage (but directly, rather than through a resistor), and the output is taken from the cathode, rather than from the plate. Various other resistors are used for biasing.

A result of this is that the voltage gain is very close to 1 (actually, slightly less than 1). The fact that the cathode (output) voltage very closely follows the input (grid) voltage accounts for the name "cathode follower."

A second result is that the output impedance of the stage will be much lower than for a typical amplifier stage which provides its output from the plate. That enables the stage to, among other things, drive cables and loads which have significant capacitance, or relatively low impedance. The term "buffer" refers to the fact that the stage acts as a buffer between the amplifier stage, with its high output impedance, and whatever the buffer stage is driving.

In this case, the "cathode follower buffer" tubes are undoubtedly placed between the line amplifier stages and the outputs of the preamp, and so they are directly in the signal path. Intuitively I would expect the sonic effects of age-related degradation of their parameters to be somewhat less significant than for the line amplifier stages, but I don't have a feel for the degree to which that may be true.

Regards,
-- Al

hi abysmillard:

i am considering buying an slp 98. could you tell me of your impression of this preamp, especially, bass response, upper mids/lower treble, laid back character or not and how euphonic it is with respect to sibilant cds.

thanks.

i am also considering art audio's latest preamp, called "1", which uses a pair of 6sn7s, and an audiovalve eklipse.

please indicate what caps, and other upgrades have been done on the preamp.

Mechans: Thank you for the offer! While I'm short on VT-231s, I do have other 6NS7 GTs, so I should be good.

Almarg: A direct answer to my question! Thank you! Not sure I understand completely, but your explaination of where the buffer is in the signal path pretty much answers my concern. I did try putting the stock tubes back in the buffer position and though it sounded way too bright at first, it's mellowed after only a couple hours of use.

Mrtennis: I love my SLP98--and have for 8 years now. Caps etc are stock. I find it to be responsive at all ranges. The bass is tight and focused. Cary is famous for mid range sweetness. I'm a little less sure about highs, but that's because my hearing isn't what it used to be in those ranges. The sound is not forward. I do remember being concerned about sibilance in CDs when I first got it, but that resolved when I replaced my SS amp with a Cary Rocket88. I seldom listen to CDs, though. YMMV, especially as I don't listen around much. I know where the Cary stands in the lineage of what I've owned over the years, but I haven't made thoughtful comparisons to like gear.