The Grant Fidelity B-283/ Yaqin Tube Buffer is a great way to gain the sound of tubes with your SS CDP/DAC and SS amp!

http://grantfidelity.com/site/files/...%20B-283_1.pdf

It adds, a very poweful, rich tube sound to SS components, or tube components that may have a bit too much of a SS sound (e.g. the Musical Fidelity X-CAN v3, or v8, etc.). It adds bass and mids richness, presence, and, perhaps, even some extension - it tempers the edge, sharpness, and stridency of the upper mids and highs, just a bit, without dulling the sound too much. Though, I suppose that will depend on how sharp, and crisp you like your sound.

It does this much better than the MF X-10 v3 Tube Buffer, or Core Audio Tube Buffer, which I had - it's effects are much more noticeable, and pleasant... even with the stock 6J1 Shugang tubes - even better with Tung Sol 6AK5s, or Mullard M8100/EF95s, or compatible.

I'm using it between my Marantz SA8001, and Shellbrook Maxi Moy portable amp - this is just a phenomenal combination.

This little jewel produces some rather incredible sound with any of my phones (i.e. Senns, Grados, Denons, etc.) - really adds some richness to all of them out of my Maxi Moy... which (with the OPA627s) "ain't bad all by itself."

I'm beginning to think... that a rather modest SS set up, might easily displace a much more expensive tube set up... if this little jewel is linked into the chain between the source and the amp. Though... I suppose the sound I'm hearing may well be attributable in no small measure to the great sound produced by the SA8001 as a source.

I haven't heard the 1 tube 6DJ8/6922 version offered by Pacific Valve... but... I'll bet its great also. And... there may be a better selection of tubes for it. Don't know how it would compare.

But... I do know, this $150 unit will turn your modestly priced SS set up into one which sounds a lot like the "high-priced spread" of tube set ups - or, at least close enough to satisfy anyone "on a budget." And... you can actually enjoy the sound of both SS and tubes for a very modest investment. Though... I suppose... you still may have to part with the "big bucks" for that last little bit of detailed resolution, and realism you may achieve with the "high-priced spread."

I'm wondering how it would sound with the KICAS, or Headamp, amps... or...

But... you know... as good as all my set ups sound (and as similar as they sound to each other)... I wonder sometimes... if we all aren't really "splitting hairs"... some very thin hairs - though... we often make it sound like there are "leagues difference" in the sound between the most "pedestrian" and the most "exclusive."

Haha the main title of that link put me off:

Now you can afford to be an Audiophile

There's many threads on this forum related to this tube buffer. You may like to read them. You have to know that it is pretty sensitive to your gears and where you place it in the chain. For example, if I place it in the tape loop of my receiver, there is not much difference I can hear and it's not necessarily an improvement. But if I place it in the pre-out main-in, then I like it very much thank you. You must also understand that you can't A/B test with the on/off switch, cause It's not a direct passthru. Have fun !

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Yeah... the tube buffer apparently provides some resistance, even though its switched off, which reduces the gain (volume) to your phones, when its off, and gives the impression that it really boosts the sound when its switched on. In this respect... the promotional video on the Grant Fidelity web site is a bit misleading - either out of ignorance, or intentional - it's difficult to determine.

However, it does add a very rich, warm, tube-like quality to the sound - especially when used with SS equipment, and inserted in the right place in your set up.

Great tube sound...I have the Yaqin between a DAC and Cambridge integrated amp with my speaker setup. The sound is warm and rich. The Cambridge sounded very digital and harsh at times. I mainly use CBS Hytron 6AK5s, M8100s, Tung Sol 6AK5s and various 6096s and 5654s...

The bass and treble knobs on my amp were always used before the tube buffer. Now they stay flat and the sound is great.

Have to give props to Gary (Godkin) for helping me out tremendously before the purchase months ago.

Great buy for me that really made a difference.

I think Godkin has lead many of us to buy it. May I say that I also thank Gary...

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Yes... I think he's been the primary motivation behind my purchase of the DV332, the Core Audio Tube Buffer... and... now the GF/Yaqin Tube Buffer.

And... I'm almost persuaded that its sound with a modest SS amp, may be a great alternative to "chasing" sonic perfection / audio nirvana with a much more expensive tube amp and endless tube rolling.

With the added benefit, that one relatively inexpensive set up can drive both low and high impedance phones to near perfection.

Much more focused around just listening to the music, than constant experimentation and searching.

But... that's a conclusion that each must come to on their own... after... a great deal of experimentation and searching. Most would never accept that, until they've experienced it.

Nice review, Gradofan. Great little piece of kit.

What's wrong with splitting hairs? My other hobby involves that as a pure performance test

I've tried this buffer on a different system yesterday (mid-fi Denon CD player and HK receiver) and I've got different results than with my NAD receiver and Musiland DAC. So I recall that the buffer is sensitive to what you plug in and out of it.

Also, if you really want to A/B the tube buffer, you should to have a bypass circuit. Turning it off won't lower the volume by 3db. Depending on where and to what you plug it in, it can have no difference or change the volume by up to 20 db. Try to feed it with a line or headphone out and hook you cans right after it and you'll understand what I mean.

BTW, the signal pass through the circuit when if it's turned off. From what I can hear, it doesn't only lower the volume, it also change the sound a little bit. On my system, the sound is "colder" than usual when it pass through it off.

Here, I got me a hi grade switch box between my preamp and poweramp. I can go direct to the PA, through the buffer, or to my D2000.

Yes, I power my D2000 direct from the preamp and it's very good this way. Thanks to JaZZ for the idea,

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Nothing wrong with "splitting hairs" - so long as we all understand that's exactly what we're doing.

The most mundane set up can sound "within a hair's breadth" of the most expnesive... if all the components are properly matched to one another.

I've got two $800 set ups... that both sound "within a hair's breadth" as good as my most expensive set up of about $2800 (excluding the cost of the phones).

There simply is no rational justification for investing in the most expensive set up... when... an inexpensive set up sounds virtually as good.

Unfortunately... many of us... have to "proove it to ourselves" before we accept it... at a fairly high price.

Right now... I'd probably settle for the one of the SS KICAS amps, with the GF B-283 Tube Buffer, with any of my sources... and the MD-5000s - and be satisfied that it was within "a hair's breadth" of the best setups available.

Gradofan2, have you tried this tube buffer with your DV332 or any of your tube amp?
I'm curious how well it is going to be if tube buffer is added to tube setup. I'm using Marantz CD5003 and DV332.

Thank you.

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No... sold my DV332, before I got the B283.

Though, I doubt the DV332 would have benefit greatly from the addition of the B283. I would think that the B283, or any tube buffer, would benefit SS amps more than tube amps.

Good to see you posting again Gradofan2! It has been a while since I see posts by you. Cheers.

This device looks interesting. Thanks for the tip. I had been wondering if something like this is available since I know there are similar items for microphones and guitars.

I have been shopping for a tube amp/pre-amp in the three to eight hundred dollar range, now with this as an option I have a whole lot more to consider. Thanks for making my decision even more complicated...