Tube buffer in tape loop@


Hi,I recently bought an Esoteric K03XD, which sounds absolutely amazing with most albums. I find some 90’s rock sounds a bit harsh, and I was considering adding a valve device. I use a Bryston MP26 pre-amp, and I was wondering if inserting a valve buffer (Icon Audio BA3) in the tape loop might be an idea.

Icon Audio suggests that the buffer is best placed between two components. As I really like the sound as it is for most albums, I am reluctant to do this. I was hoping that placing it in the tape loop might enable me to listen to the CD player, or any source, and hear the source as per normal when the switch on the Bryston in the "source" position, and hear the processed sound with that switch in the "tape" position.

Is that correct?
I came across a rather alarming post in a forum saying that this works, but that it is possible to seriously damage components or speakers if you put the switch in the "source" position. That seems odd to me, but there is so much I know I don’t know that I tend to be a bit cautious. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
paleo12
Fair enough.  I am certainly not intending to listen to all music through the buffer.  It looks to me like a fairly cheap and practical way of making listening to very bright recordings a bit more pleasant.
6SN7 valves can be extremely noisy. BUT they say there is no more than .1 distortion from 10hz to 100khz.

Placement would be important for noise too. It is point to point..

You are all SS. That is usually the way the amp is voiced, it is SS. Silver disk? Little harsh, edgy, bright. Its the recording usually, AY?

You have an extra 700.00 dollars?

These are question I ask and answer myself..

Regards
That will work but...make sure you use your preamp as the source and just don't go direct CD to buffer to tape monitor, that would put full signal to your amp. Having said that, I'm not a big fan of tube buffers, most are designed to add distortion and the low distortion types are not that noticeable as it should be. 
Icon Audio only says this because tape loops are exceedingly rare any more. No, you can not damage anything with a true "tape" loop. They must be referring to something else.
Have at it.
Make sure to have return privedges if it doesn’t do it for ya.
What russ69 said, you could well be disappointed.
Tube buffers are used to cure impedance mismatches between components, therefore, if your source and preamp have a mismatch the buffer will help otherwise a waste of money.