Tube Buffers

swb502
swb502 Posts: 112
edited July 2010 in Electronics
Hello All!

I had a question for everyone about tube buffers. They seem like a very cost efficient way to try out tube sound. I found these two on Ebay that look like a good deal:

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAQIN-CD2-6J1-Tube-Signal-Upgrade-CD-Buffer-Processor-/280537168532?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4151517a94

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAQIN-SD-CD3-6N8P-Tube-Signal-Upgrade-Buffer-Processor-/270614360581?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f01df7205

Are tube buffers worth the money, do really add the tube sound many of you speak of? I saw one for sale here and it got scooped up fast, so I figure it must be a good starting point. Thanks.

Bill
Work in Progress HT
Receiver- Yamaha RX-2700
Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
Center- Polk Audio CS2 x 2
Surrounds- Polk Audio Monitor 70
Rear: Polk Audio Monitor 40
Sub- Polk Audio PSW505 x 2
Projector: Epson 8100 HC
Screen: Visual Apex 120"
Blu-Ray- 60 GB PS3
Post edited by swb502 on
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Comments

  • swb502
    swb502 Posts: 112
    edited July 2010
    The two have different tubes, and different 'signal to noise' ratio. I don't know what that ratio measures. Is the one that's 30 dollars more better because it has a 75 vs 60 signal to noise ration? Or is the difference the tubes?
    Work in Progress HT
    Receiver- Yamaha RX-2700
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2 x 2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Rear: Polk Audio Monitor 40
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW505 x 2
    Projector: Epson 8100 HC
    Screen: Visual Apex 120"
    Blu-Ray- 60 GB PS3
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited July 2010
    The difference is mainly the tubes and the look i would imagine. I remember reading that the CD3 has easier-to-find tubes.

    That said, i have the CD2, and it doesn't seem TERRIBLY hard to find tubes for it.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited July 2010
    You can use 6SN7's in the CD-3, which are quite common and are an excellent tube.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • swb502
    swb502 Posts: 112
    edited July 2010
    So is it worth the extra 30 for the CD3 rather then the two? It looks cooler IMO and that seems worth something in it of its self. If the operation is the same I'll go with the more expensive one.

    Looking around there is also these ones by Grant Fidelity

    http://grantfidelity.com/site/catalog/52/tube_processors

    It looks like there the same things just dressed up a bit different and with a Canadian middle man. He seems to have the smaller one for the price of the larger one from HK. Any thoughts on those?
    Work in Progress HT
    Receiver- Yamaha RX-2700
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2 x 2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Rear: Polk Audio Monitor 40
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW505 x 2
    Projector: Epson 8100 HC
    Screen: Visual Apex 120"
    Blu-Ray- 60 GB PS3
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited July 2010
    I'd pay an extra $30 for the CD3 if i were to do it all over again.

    The Grant units are the same things as the Yaqin. They claim a "tighter manufacturing tolerance" but.... not sure how the normal end user would tell a difference. I have zero complaints with the build quality of my Yaqin.

    Yaqin seems to be one of the "Chi-Fi" companies that people like. I've been itching to try one of their cd players.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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