Tube Buffer

It shouldn't affect system gain. Its job is to add even order harmonic distortion (tube colorations) to your system thereby making it sound warmer and "more musical"...

I put the tube buffer in the tape loop of my preamp so I can implement or defeat it with any source component by switching on or off the tape monitor. Sure is convenient. But is this equivalent to putting it in front of an individual source component?

Tantra, that's a good way to do it. I used to have mine set up that way and it worked well. I think it puts the buffer between the source and the preamp; I don't believe it can put it in front of the source component.

In one of my systems I found that components plugged into my tape monitor (not the loop, just the input) sounded better than those selected by the rotary selector switch. That could be worth exploring. Also, if you like the sound of your system better with the tube buffer, you could try putting it between your preamp and amplifier; but that way you wouldn't have the option of switching it out.

The main thing is to experiment and have fun!

hi, i dit it before when i put it between amp and pre amp it add too much distotion , i think it works great between cd player and preamp

Duypham,

The results would vary depending on the input impedance of the particular amp used as well as its input sensitivity. It may not have worked well with your particular gear, but it may work very well in another system that provides a better impedance/sensitivity match...

It fully inverts a signal i.e. adds 100% feedback and has no gain.
It certainly compresses and makes the output more linear.

One piece of equipment or even played recording mignt or might not benefit from this device depending again on the quality as it was mentioned above about inexpencive CD-players or any other components.