Hagerman Baritone Tube Buffer

[olds1959special]

I have been changing back and forth with and without the buffer, and I think I know one reason why I am finding the tube output preferable - treble. My source/amps/speakers have so much treble energy, it fatigues my ears and flares up my tinnitus.

 

[Blumlein 88]

I'm pretty sure I would have an idea if it's on or off, especially when it's in the +4dB position, because it fattens and saturates the sound. I think of it as it harmonic saturation which to me is "warmth".

I really do love my system without the tube so using it is just for fun. I'm not a fan of distortion generally but this little thing definitely can add something to music. I find it works well to "enhance" some recordings more so than others. (I do wonder if the fun factor will go away over time and I'll get bored of this, though?) It's just not practical to go the full tube pre-amp route right now (I was looking at the PrimaLuna EVO 100 pre since it has two sets of outputs and a remote), because I don't like using any tubes with home theater, and my setup is for both music and movies/tv. So the tube buffer idea seemed to make sense.

I'm actually trying to get away from tubes. I used to own more tube gear and had a small collection of tubes but got tired of the distortion and all the tube rolling options so I sold all of it. I only kept my tube headphone amp. But somehow the tube gear crept back into my speaker system. I guess I'm a fan of tubes. I like 1950's audio recordings a lot too.

Oh you are pretty sure you would know.....well that changes everything. Never seen anyone with that idea be mistaken. /s

 

[Blumlein 88]

I have been changing back and forth with and without the buffer, and I think I know one reason why I am finding the tube output preferable - treble. My source/amps/speakers have so much treble energy, it fatigues my ears and flares up my tinnitus.

Which most likely is simply the FR droop the device has. Nothing tube intrinsic if its true.

 

[olds1959special]

I've noticed that with upgradititis and acquiring new gear for my systems there is also a factor of how my hearing and taste changes day to day. It is a challenge not to accidentally "downgrade" by rearranging components or adding new ones. I added this tube buffer to my main system only to realize a few days later I didn't like the loss of detail. The tube buffer ended up in my second system where it can be used if needed, or not, depending on the input I use. I do notice that running the tube somehow is fun/listenable/enjoyable, despite the loss the detail, so it seems I'm listening to it frequently. I get different results depending on how hard I run the tube. The 0dB gain setting is what I'm enjoying at this moment, with a RCA black plate tri-mica 5814a. If you push it to +4dB it gets saturated and sounds quite a bit fuller, but the saturation can get to be a bit much after a while.

 

[olds1959special]

Another pic of the Hagerman Baritone 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.