Tube Buffers - Solid State Headphone Amps

Discussion in 'General Audio Discussion' started by TheIceman93, Feb 10, 2017.

  1. svperstar

    svperstar Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2016
    Likes Received:
    49
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    Canada
  2. svperstar

    svperstar Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2016
    Likes Received:
    49
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    Canada
    The FX Audio tube buffer got here today. Sounds exactly as I expected. If I turn the volume pots all the way up on the Gilmore and the FX Audio there is a hum but its inaudible at normal listening levels.

    Put on a song I have heard 1,000 times:


    When 1:13 kicks in with the low end can hear a weird little added sort of warmth on the bass.

    Probably doesn't measure well at all but for sure makes the signal warmer.
     
  3. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,274
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Bird-watcher's paradise
    Seems like the question becomes which device in your chain makes that a good thing?
     
  4. svperstar

    svperstar Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2016
    Likes Received:
    49
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    Canada
    I'm very happy with my setup I just wanted to add a bit of tube sound for fun. I'm pretty sure the thing probably measures terrible but thats ok, tube sound for $31 is a solid deal.
     
  5. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,274
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Bird-watcher's paradise
    I wouldn't question happiness purchased at $31, my brain just defaults to simplification. Yeah, I am kind of simple.
     
  6. svperstar

    svperstar Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2016
    Likes Received:
    49
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    Canada
    Speaking of simple I don't even have to swap wires if I want to compare.

    The GLmk2 has two inputs, and the SDAC has two outputs.

    I have it rigged up so I just flip the switch on the GLmk2 and it goes between the tube buffer and just the SDAC. The tube buffer does add some gain so apples to apples is difficult since it is not volume matched but its nice not having to mess with cords.
     
  7. Lautreamont

    Lautreamont New

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2017
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    California
    I absolutely LOVE the itube2 and highly recommend it. One of the best purchases I have made. It adds a warmth and holographic type sound that is very pleasing to the ear.
     
  8. PTS

    PTS Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,069
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    From this...

    [​IMG]

    ....REALLY?
     
  9. Lautreamont

    Lautreamont New

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2017
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    California
    YMMV based on your other components and what sounds good to your ears. It's certainly possible it might not work well with higher end components but I've inserted and removed the iTube2 from several speaker/ amp / headphone combinations to see if I preferred it in the chain or out including LS50/Vincent SP331, LS50W, Silverline Minuet Grand/Exposure 2010S2, ELAC ARB51/Schit Saga, HD650/Emotiva BasX A100 and I missed it each time it was gone. I think if it can compliment each of these combinations (to my ears) it's a pretty good thing. I initially ordered it from a retailer with a liberal return policy fully intending to send it back if I didn't like it and I kept it. If it died tomorrow I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. I don't use all of the settings. With the ones I use I found it adds a touch of warmth, as well as depth and solidarity to many recordings.
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2019
  10. Ntbm3

    Ntbm3 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2018
    Likes Received:
    617
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Columbus
    I did some research but cannot determine if the tube is user replaceable?

    In my set-up I would leave it on 24-7.... not sure if that is the best idea.
     
  11. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2016
    Likes Received:
    4,521
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    London, UK
    It seems like it'd make more sense to just use a bloody tube amp, if that's what you want. Don't try to cover up the flaws of solid state gear with the flaws of tube gear. Get a decent tube amp if you're that offended by solid state sound.
     
  12. Ntbm3

    Ntbm3 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2018
    Likes Received:
    617
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Columbus
    I do use a tube amp for my headphones and I love it!!

    That is why I am considering adding some tube goodness to my speaker system. But my speaker system is integrated into a home theater system in my main living space with a all the equipment in my basement... I know strange. But I can add a tube buffer on the 2 channel side of things and maybe get some of that magic! but want it to be super low maintenance....
     
  13. Lautreamont

    Lautreamont New

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2017
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    California
    I wouldn't leave it on 24/7. Tube is not user replaceable. The aluminum chassis is also very warm to the touch when it's been on for a while.
     
  14. restrav3

    restrav3 Likes Audio-GD

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2018
    Likes Received:
    101
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    PA
    I went this route too. I also got a bunch of 5591/403B/6J1-EV/5654/EF95/6AKQ tubes for it. I was already happy with my main tube amp but I was experimenting with ultra budget gear to use with my PC for when Im just working and studying and I wanted to inject a good amount of tube warmth, not just for already good sounding flac files but for compressed music and even youtube videos. so the mission was to take out sibilance and digital glare from awful source material. At first I got a loki from a user here and attenuated the crap outta treble but i got the best result by using LM Ericsson 5591 tubes in the FX audio pre. so I would suggest you give that a whirl if you get a chance. I also loved the Amperex 5654 PQ that I am using right now as I type. the Yugoslavia 6HM5 also has a reputation for warm gooey sound but FX-audio tube01 pre does not provide a plate voltage high enough to get that tube to sing (you will notice that tubes run almost completely cool in this unit). in the picture I am using the Yugoslavia and it is less that optimal. but the Fx-audio P1 I have been told that takes advantage of the full potential of those tubes. you can also see that I was running it with fancy overpriced LPS which was a very nice upgrade but absolutely ruins the value proposition of course.

    [​IMG]
     

Share This Page