Tube Buffers; Yaqin CD-1 & Musical Fidelity X-10v3

inspiredsports · December 2009

Jetmaker737 wrote: »

Yikes dude... you are sick! Where are you gonna stick the MF when it comes back?

I had a Yaqin in line with my CDP (thanks to this thread) and loved it! I loved it so much I picked up a Jolida JD-100 CDP which uses 12AX7's. I threw some Sovtek LPS's in there and it's awesome. I sold the yaqin on A-gon. It also went with some Mullards as well as some RCA commands.

Contradicles - If your experience is like mine you'll find more bang for your Yaqin buck by putting it in line with your CDP as opposed to your Pre and amp.

I have 2 complete rigs in my listening room so it will be incorporated in one or the other as follows:

My opinion so far with the components I own is that in an all solid state rig, it sounds best to place the tube buffer between the preamp and amplifier. With a tube preamp, I still like the buffer between the CD player and preamp.

inspiredsports · December 2009

Keiko wrote: »

And I thought I had caught the bug bad.

I may have found the cure . . . .

Becky just found a listing (with pricing) of the components I'm following online and she told me she will K!LL me if I drop 2K on a preamp.

Dead me = sickness cured

P.S.: I didn't tell her I'm also watching the McIntosh MC-2000 Tube amp.

hearingimpared · December 2009

inspiredsports wrote: »

My sickness increases.

I've just sent the Musical Fidelity X-10v3 off to Rock Grotto in Scotland (the inventor/manufacturer of the Little Pinkie Power Supply Unit) where a new set of NOS 6112 tubes that I picked up will be installed, and where the owner will perform the ultimate X10 upgrade by installing . . .

http://www.rock-grotto.co.uk/x10v3mods.htm

That will bring the X10 up to the ultimate state of it's existence.

Moving along, I just purchased my first full tube preamplifier, the old standby Dynaco PAS-3 that uses 4 12AX7's for $160 delivered. The unit has a strong matched quad of Telefunkens and the sound is amazingly good for an all stock component that is pushing 70 years old!

I figured this component was a good starting point to test my improving soldering skills before moving on to a "real" tube preamp, although some have called it a "giant killer" and I can see (hear ) why.

I'm currently using the Yaqin between my CD player and the Dynaco PAS-3 where it still adds a nice enhancement even over and above the sweetness of the tube preamp.

I have been studying McIntosh tubed preamps and have a my eyes on the C-20 and C-22 models when funds allow. I'm also tempted by the more affordable Conrad Johnson CJ PV-7. I love the sound of 12AX7 tubes and have a matched quad of Mullard Blackburn's on the way that will work in any of these 4 preamps no matter what I land upon.

Hahaha, I've passed the neurosis onto a fellow Polkie. I think I did it to Keiko too. Muhoohaaaaaa!

Great stuff Bro!

heiney9 · December 2009

inspiredsports wrote: »

My sickness increases.

I've just sent the Musical Fidelity X-10v3 off to Rock Grotto in Scotland (the inventor/manufacturer of the Little Pinkie Power Supply Unit) where a new set of NOS 6112 tubes that I picked up will be installed, and where the owner will perform the ultimate X10 upgrade by installing . . .

http://www.rock-grotto.co.uk/x10v3mods.htm

That will bring the X10 up to the ultimate state of it's existence.

Moving along, I just purchased my first full tube preamplifier, the old standby Dynaco PAS-3 that uses 4 12AX7's for $160 delivered. The unit has a strong matched quad of Telefunkens and the sound is amazingly good for an all stock component that is pushing 70 years old!

I figured this component was a good starting point to test my improving soldering skills before moving on to a "real" tube preamp, although some have called it a "giant killer" and I can see (hear ) why.

I'm currently using the Yaqin between my CD player and the Dynaco PAS-3 where it still adds a nice enhancement even over and above the sweetness of the tube preamp.

I have been studying McIntosh tubed preamps and have a my eyes on the C-20 and C-22 models when funds allow. I'm also tempted by the more affordable Conrad Johnson CJ PV-7. I love the sound of 12AX7 tubes and have a matched quad of Mullard Blackburn's on the way that will work in any of these 4 preamps no matter what I land upon.

Telefunken's are outstanding tubes.............one of my favorites and I prefer them personally over Mullards.

concealer404 · December 2009

Well, because of this thread, my Yaqin CD-2 is pending customs right now.

inspiredsports · December 2009

Joe, you are a menace, a menace I tell you !!!!!

I have it bad. I can't wait until the improved X10 returns after the holidays.

I've gotta say, I have not even gotten to vinyl (which I play 90% of the time) since I put this old-school Dynaco preamp into the system. I know you sold me the X10 after going tube pre or amp, but I have the Yaqin in front of the Dynaco and it sounds awesome.

The sound simply comes at me, grabs me, and PULLS ME IN . . . It's almost frightening how good it is. I've never done LSD, but I've gotta think it's something like this. I wonder what will happen when I get a really world class tube pre

.

Back to the original point of this post, I do think my Yaqin CD-1 has been one of the best-bang-for-the-buck components I've ever scored. I'm guessing the rebuilt X10 will outshine it when it's all said and done, but I will have about 6-X as much money into it

hearingimpared · December 2009

inspiredsports wrote: »

My sickness increases.

I've just sent the Musical Fidelity X-10v3 off to Rock Grotto in Scotland (the inventor/manufacturer of the Little Pinkie Power Supply Unit) where a new set of NOS 6112 tubes that I picked up will be installed, and where the owner will perform the ultimate X10 upgrade by installing . . .

http://www.rock-grotto.co.uk/x10v3mods.htm

That will bring the X10 up to the ultimate state of it's existence.

After you get the MF back I would like you to return it to me!:D I'll even pay you $10 more than you paid plus shipping!!!:D

Good luck you sick bastage.:eek:

inspiredsports · December 2009

hearingimpared wrote: »

After you get the MF back I would like you to return it to me!:D I'll even pay you $10 more than you paid plus shipping!!!:D

Good luck you sick bastage.:eek:

For anyone else, No!

But Joe, for you I just might

hearingimpared · December 2009

No but thanks for the gracious offer. I just joined the 12 step program AA (audiophools anonymous).;):D

hearingimpared · December 2009

Keiko wrote: »

You did, you A-hole! :mad:

Thanks to you and H9, I have a tube buffer and a tubed preamp. The VPI 16.5 RCM is on it's way as of today. Oh boy! Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!!!

Just don't shart yourself!:D

inspiredsports · January 2010

I just received my Musical Fidelity X-10 v3 tube buffer back from Mike Grierson of Rock Grotto in Northern Scotland.

I won't post photos here as he has huge detailed images in his own forum at http://rockgrotto.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=q&thread=1961&page=12 under "Re: Work in progress - Reply #168 on Dec 30, 2009, 10:09pm

The improvements are night and as would be expected with new tubes and caps, etc. chosen specifically to make this particular component shine at its highest potential. I am also certain it will only get better a these are caps take perhaps 200 hours to form up.

If you have been following my progression, I've just added a Conrad Johnson PV-7 tube pre to my system and one small problem was matching its higher impedance output to my lower impedance recently rebuilt NAD 2600A SS power amp.

The X-10 in between is what was missing, and all I can say at this point in time is that the improvement is simply stellar. Everything about the sound is better. I can't wait to get a week or so down the road to give it a serious critique when everything has seasoned.

hearingimpared · January 2010

inspiredsports wrote: »

I just received my Musical Fidelity X-10 v3 tube buffer back from Mike Grierson of Rock Grotto in Northern Scotland.

I won't post photos here as he has huge detailed images in his own forum at http://rockgrotto.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=q&thread=1961&page=12 under "Re: Work in progress - Reply #168 on Dec 30, 2009, 10:09pm

The improvements are night and as would be expected with new tubes and caps, etc. chosen specifically to make this particular component shine at its highest potential. I am also certain it will only get better a these are caps take perhaps 200 hours to form up.

If you have been following my progression, I've just added a Conrad Johnson PV-7 tube pre to my system and one small problem was matching its higher impedance output to my lower impedance recently rebuilt NAD 2600A SS power amp.

The X-10 in between is what was missing, and all I can say at this point in time is that the improvement is simply stellar. Everything about the sound is better. I can't wait to get a week or so down the road to give it a serious critique when everything has seasoned.

I want it back!:eek:

inspiredsports · January 2010

hearingimpared wrote: »

I want it back!:eek:

3rd day update . . .

In another thread a poster asked what a CJ tube pre sounds like. TroyD answered, " ... you will get a warm, GLORIOUS midrange. Lush, liquid.....the lows will be warm and a bit mushy and the high end will lack air and phenomenal extension."

A week ago I would have agreed 100% with Troy's fine description of bass, mids and highs, but . . . . you know my just tricked out Musical Fidelity X10 v3 tube buffer came back from the modder in Scotland.

Now in addition to that magnificently lush mid-range Troy described, the bass is quick and tight, and the highs are much more extended and detailed, but absolutely not fatiguing.

In my case I believe the CJ to NAD 2600A SS amp impedance match may not have been optimum. Now it is with the tube buffer making an incredible contribution. And it's probably still more than 100 hours from being settled in!

PolkClyde · January 2010

inspiredsports wrote: »

## The Setup ##################################################

There has recently been a great deal of interest in tube gear here in Club Polk, and I'm experimenting with tube buffers placed between my Solid State NAD 1700 Preamp and Solid State NAD 2600A Power Amplifer.

Both NAD components were professionally rebuilt (power/caps/etc.) by NAD specialists "In House Stereo Repair" in Setauket, NY in March of 2009. I know I could have gone another direction, but I bought them brand new in 1987, they have sentimental value. These components have served me well.

First, my system is in my home office and I listen constantly (sometimes 60 and never fewer than 40 hours per week).

My desk is dead center in the SDA sweetspot between pairs of sonicap/mortite/dynamat extreme/RDO-198 modded SDA-2B's and SDA SRS 2's with custom made 12 Gauge 9-Strand Silver Coated Copper Wire SDA Interconnect Cables. Room dimensions and acoustics are absolutely ideal and speakers are optimally placed.

All Speaker Cables are 10' MIT Shotgun 2 and all Interconnects are 2 Meter MIT Shotgun 2 (with adjustable impedance matching boxes on input side). I also have 2 pairs of 1 Meter and 1 pair of 2 Meter BW Audio Silver Interconnects that I will experiment with if I feel the need to open up the highs, but don't anticipate using them.

All components above have a minimum of 500 hours of break-in

## The Buffers ##################################################

BUFFER A:
I purchased a very well cared for Musical Fidelity X-10v3 Tube Buffer from Club member that I have been auditioning for about a week now. The improvement provided is simply wonderful. It is in completely stock condition and came with a decent quality wall wort power brick, but not the list price $400 MF X-PSU-V3. I've researched and ordered a "Little Pinkie v3i Power Supply" from its maker in Scotland that is acclaimed to be better than the MF PSU. I will use a 6' Signal Cable MagicPower Cable to power the Little Pinkie.

Total Musical Fidelity system delivered price (Buffer/Upgraded Power Supply/Upgraded Power Cable) = $475USD

BUFFER B:
I received my brand new Yaqin CD-1 Tube Buffer in the mail today. I did not even take the stock 6N1 Chinese tube out of the box and instead inserted a recently acquired NOS JAN Phillips 6922 Green Label that is said to be an excellent match. I also did not take the 110V stock power cord out of the box and used a recently acquired Signal Cable MagicPower 6' Cable.

After break in, and when I'm confident I know its sonic signature, I will solder in a couple of high quality capacitors said to improve its power supply a cost of no more than $50 USD.

Total Yaqin system delivered price (Buffer/Phillips Tube/Upgraded Power Cable) = $200 USD (future caps will make it $250 and I also have plans to introduce a Telefunken 6922 Smooth Plate Diamond that will increase tube budget by $55 USD adder making the comparison grand total $305 USD)

## Initial Comments ##################################################

I've been listening to the Yaqin for about 2 hours now. If I didn't know any better, I could review it with high marks before breaking it in!

This thread will eventually become even more deeply evolved, but with the arrival of the Yaq, I wanted to get a start today. Analog and Digital source components will be described soon.

You guys are blessed by God,to be able to afford these expensive high end gear. I just went on ebay,in search for MIT speaker cables,Interconnect ect....way out of my price range,at the moment,but if I had the money,I would buy all of them,one day I will.

P.S By the way,i do have the Musical Fidelity X-10v3 ,the very well loved denon 2900,the out of sight, Polks 1.2's,Pro 400,two carver mono blocks Silver 7 T,just one pair of MIT Terminater 400....... I'm getting there guys.Can I say Audio Alchemy in here ''DAC" Plus jitter box DTI PRO.

inspiredsports · January 2010

PolkClyde wrote: »

You guys are blessed by God,to be able to afford these expensive high end gear. I just went on ebay,in search for MIT speaker cables,Interconnect ect....way out of my price range,at the moment,but if I had the money,I would buy all of them,one day I will.

P.S By the way,i do have the Musical Fidelity X-10v3 ,the very well loved denon 2900,the out of sight, Polks 1.2's,Pro 400,two carver mono blocks Silver 7 T,just one pair of MIT Terminater 400....... I'm getting there guys.Can I say Audio Alchemy in here ''DAC" Plus jitter box DTI PRO.

Blessed, yes, but I have purchased very little (since 1987) that was new, And if I do buy new, it is always on sale with a coupon. Most has been eBay or CP Classifieds, and my first MIT cables were gifted, sold off, and traded up to S2's so I got a good helping hand.

Also, if I ever see a spot to enter a coupon code on an Internet buy form, I do internet searches for "XX coupon code" where XX = the vendors name, or I email the vendor and ask for a coupon code. You would be surprised how many codes you can get searching or asking. I almost always get an additional 10-15% off in this way.

I bought a special (brand new) 1/2 meter power cable in December that I had been watching for almost a year listed at $180 + shipping. The vendor then was offering free shipping. I emailed and explained I had been watching for a year and wondered if the item itself ever went on sale. The vendor emailed back an $89 PayPal invoice. Yes $89 is crazy for a half meter cable, but a lot better than the normal almost $200 price when shipping was involved.

I also try to avoid "pack ratting" what I don't need by selling here and on eBay, and sometimes even make a small profit that of course gets reinvested in gear.

Hang in there and be patient and it will get to where you want it, but don't forget to enjoy it every day along the way.

Shoot, I just re-read your post; you've got great gear!

hearingimpared · January 2010

PolkClyde wrote: »

P.S By the way,i do have the Musical Fidelity X-10v3 ,the very well loved denon 2900,the out of sight, Polks 1.2's,Pro 400,two carver mono blocks Silver 7 T,just one pair of MIT Terminater 400....... I'm getting there guys.Can I say Audio Alchemy in here ''DAC" Plus jitter box DTI PRO.

That's the same configuration I was using the MF tube buffer in. However I found it to be overkill in that I have a tube preamp and the 2900 just sounded mushy using the tube buffer ahead of the TriVista.

You've got some nice gear there.