Justin & Jerry's Hifi Blog

[Macca]

You adding cables, components and a power supply, it's not necessarily/ likely going to be transparent - you add gubbins: sound changes. The question whether it is actually improving technical performance, or degrading it in a good way, is a different matter.

[walpurgis]

I had a standard original MF X10D back when they first came out, and it was mildly 'orrible!

Strange. I always had really good results with that unit.

[Arkless Electronics]

You adding cables, components and a power supply, it's not necessarily/ likely going to be transparent - you add gubbins: sound changes. The question whether it is actually improving technical performance, or degrading it in a good way, is a different matter.

+1 Valve buffers are usually designed to add distortion etc to muck up.. I mean to give "that warm valve sound".

as a "you heard it first here" aside, some power amps (and others, but power amps are most relevant) can be somewhat sensitive to the impedance from which they are driven, and not for any reason one may suspect! The issue is due to device parasitic capacitances (other factors come into play) effecting the phase margin of the loop gain... Ohh.. you've all run away... Anyhow it's much more prevalent with SS amps, and so dependent on circuit topology that some amps may be quite effected by it but most completely immune to it...

[struth]

none of that with mine

[jandl100]

+1 Valve buffers are usually designed to add distortion etc to muck up.. I mean to give "that warm valve sound".

I agree about valve buffers, I've heard a few and they have all warmed up and smoothed over the sound. Not for me. The solid state Arcaydis buffer didn't suffer from these defects / improvements* (* delete as appropriate to your tastes).

I've only heard stock units though - with probably crap components used. It will be interesting to hear Grant's souped-up MF valve jobbie.
And I think I will take Jez up on his offer of a bespoke ss buffer. PM sent.

[User211]

+1 Valve buffers are usually designed to add distortion etc to muck up.. I mean to give "that warm valve sound".

as a "you heard it first here" aside, some power amps (and others, but power amps are most relevant) can be somewhat sensitive to the impedance from which they are driven, and not for any reason one may suspect! The issue is due to device parasitic capacitances (other factors come into play) effecting the phase margin of the loop gain... Ohh.. you've all run away... Anyhow it's much more prevalent with SS amps, and so dependent on circuit topology that some amps may be quite effected by it but most completely immune to it...

What would be a really cool product is a triode based valve buffer.

Think Lamizator level 7 output stage so it is possible.

I predict a lot of sales if you make one. Seriously.

Offer foo caps, wiring and resistors if desired. The more triode types it can take the better.

You need an international sales website and cheap to expensive cases too.

[Arkless Electronics]

What would be a really cool product is a triode based valve buffer.

Think Lamizator level 7 output stage so it is possible.

I predict a lot of sales if you make one. Seriously.

Offer foo caps, wiring and resistors if desired. The more triode types it can take the better.

You need an international sales website and cheap to expensive cases too.

A complete and utter waste of time, money and effort in my opinion... But if anyone wishes to commission one then I'll build it. No problem Just PM me with the precise spec you want.

[Macca]

A complete and utter waste of time, money and effort in my opinion... But if anyone wishes to commission one then I'll build it. No problem Just PM me with the precise spec you want.

Loads more money to be made building boxes of gubbins than there is in knocking out proper amplifiers

[Arkless Electronics]

OK folks well Jerry (Jandl100) has commissioned a solid state buffer which will be completed very soon... I'm "going the whole hog" and doing all discrete class A. If anyone else wants one it will be easier and more convenient for me to do a few in one batch... and cheaper for you!

A vol control in the same box makes it an active pre of similar ilk to the Pass B1 BTW... I.E. it does not give any gain but acts as an impedance convertor... I'll take orders for these as well if anyone is interested

Prices are being kept well cheap by using naff plastic cases and wallwart supply... neither of which will have any adverse effect on the sound.

I can also add just the buffer electronics to any passive pre you already own. A power socket added to the rear panel and wallwart supply would be the visible additions.

[Arkless Electronics]

Loads more money to be made building boxes of gubbins than there is in knocking out proper amplifiers

Sad but probably true.... and the worse you make it, by using 1920's technology and obsolete parts, the more they'll pay for it Whilst my advice would be that I'll make you something much better for 100 times less money by using modern parts and techniques... I'll build such a thing using directly heated triodes and paper in oil caps etc if anyone is genuinely interested.