Topping Pre90 Switching op amps?

@rrboogie 

Did the tube buffer reduce the transparency by a noticeable amount? The idea of a tube buffer occurred to me but I thought it would necessarily add some haze given tube equipment generally has higher s/n ratios.

@dbb Surprisingly, it did not not reduce the transparency. I can still hear all of the details. I am using Altec A7 speakers which are over 100db efficient and it added a slight bit to the noise floor but you need to put your ear up to the treble horn. Preamps I had before this were Pass Labs X1, Modwright LS 36.5, Black Ice Audio Fusion F360. All had a higher noise floor. I tried the Topping D70s direct which was excellent on it's own and lead me to the PRE90 which on it's own is dead silent. 

@rrboogie

Does the pre90 remote work well on yours. Mine, as reported by others in reviews, works poorly. I wonder if this issue has been fixed in newer production models.

The remote is weak. Not great off axis. I use an infrared repeater and it works great!

Just a follow up of using the tube buffer with the PRE90. I changed the stock Tungsol tube to an Allen 12au7 and the noise floor is dead silent now with a nice balanced sound. So you can have your cake and eat it too! I have a Psvane Art series 12ua7-s on the way to compare. Let's see what it brings to the table?