Topping Pre90 Switching op amps?

@kr4 If this is Kal, I purchased a Topping Pre90 to replace a Schiit Freya (with tubes) based on your writeup in Stereophile. Love it. Yes, one does need to be a marksman when aiming the remote!

Tom

It is I and I really wonder about adding a "tube buffer" to the Topping.  Seems counterproductive.

@tomcarr ​​​​@kr4 I also replaced the Schiit Freya + with the Topping Pre90 with the Jolida SSX. I had some local audiophiles over and we A/B'd them and everyone picked the PRE90 and Jolida SSX over the Schiit Freya +. I just sold the Schiit Freya + and have a Yaquin SD- CD3 Tube Buffer on the way to compare as I have a good stock of 6SN7 tubes to roll in it. I'll report back. 

@rrboogie I look forward to hear your impressions of the Yaquin with the Pre90.

I did notice that the s/n ratio is listed at greater than 75db for the Yaquin. It seems it may be too noisy for the super quiet Pre90.

 I am hoping that it is not too noisy as well. My idea with that unit is to have a little more "tube flavour", midrange bloom so that I could switch between the two tube buffers for a different listening experience. I am contemplating purchasing an ifi itube2 on the used market. Much better S/N numbers at 119dB.