2. digital
  3. 153752-138624

Tube Buffer

Despite using balanced XLR output from DAC to Peachtree Grand Pre, I find digital harshness remains until I engage the Peachtree's dual 12AU7 tube buffer section. However, the Grand Pre sucks as an analog preamp and needs replacing for that reason. I love the functionality of the Musical Fidelity M8Pre, which also has a good phono section, but I fear that as a solid state device it will simply pass the harshness down the chain. Rogue Audio RP7 is a tube preamp which would presumably kill any digital glare, but has no phono stage. The Rogue RP5 is a lesser device overall, but does include a phono stage plus, of course, tubes. Questions: (1) sonically, how much better is the RP7 than the RP5 (considerably, according to TAS)? (2) Does there exist some relatively inexpensive tube buffer device which can be placed between DAC and the solid state M8Pre? Really not in the market for an outboard $2k phono preamp.
hickamore
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
YW Hickamore!
I think $399 new, I picked mine up for $300 as an open box demo from a dealer.
Now there will be plenty will say that introducing another point in the signal chain is just another possible avenue of sound degradation.
Not something I hear and any possible small degradation is far outweighed by what this buffer brings to the table for me.
Obviously YMMV but as agreed at this price point not much to risk.
Enjoy!
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 
There's also this. https://ifi-audio.com/products/micro-itube2/
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Leftears.
I used the ifi one and it too was a great addition.
But I moved up to the Black Ice model for more control and it can handle 3 separate inputs.

Still it's a worthwhile product for sure
jriggy's avatar
jriggy
565 posts
 
Dan Wright of Modwright will have a tube buffer coming, presumably at some point soon. You can find a thread on it over on AudioCircle in his circle. 
hickamore OP
700 posts
 
Thanks all. Obviously some worthy and affordable options for the purpose I had in mind.

Further reflection leads me to see that, needing a new preamp anyhow, I might as well just go Rogue and be done with it, much as I admire the M8. RP7 changes the problem from tube buffer to phono stage, but there's no urgency on the phono side, so first things first.


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