For the tube buffer, I have settled on the new Tung Sol 12AU7, which I like to run at the +4dB gain level. It adds a nice saturation. For some recordings/moods I can run it at +8dB and get even more tube tone. The 0dB setting is not as exciting, but interestingly I've noticed the NOS RCA tri mica 5814a I have sounds a little more detailed than the Tung Sol with the 0dB setting. The Tung Sol, however, sounds better when pushed, so I use this tube and run it at +4dB usually. I feel the +4dB (or +8dB) setting is necessary to get the most out of this device. It sounds so good that I don't think I need a tube pre-amp at all.
