Schiit Buf: tube buffer + gain

[john61ct]

They seem to be doing OK economically despite those "handicaps".

People can freely choose who they do business with, and that works in both directions.

At least one of the founders appears to be very proud of their German heritage, reminded me of the Stammtisch tradition which my Omi and Opi practised most diligently every week.

 

[Ropeburn]

I'm sure they're proud. It's just super cringy for actual Germans.

 

[Svperstar]

I had a cheap "Little Bear" tube buffer, it was really a $40 piece of junk...this looks better. I'm not a fan of tubes but will be interested to see what others think. The price is certainly reasonable.

I have one of those sitting somewhere, it was fun holding my cellphone up to it when downloading anything and hearing all kinds of weird noises in my headphones. Haven't used it in years.

 

[Joe Smith]

Their name is the name. Get over it, guys.

 

[john61ct]

In her later years my mother spouted some ideas that were TRULY cringey, going back to her upbringing in the 30's.

 

[wadude]

There is a lot to a name and I have to say it’s a Schiit name. The gadget piqued my interest though.

 

[wadude]

Voltage gain. 12 db gain equals 3.981 times the input voltage. Voltage gain in db =20log(voltage out/voltage in) - it’s math.
Most of the time you won’t use the 12 db gain stage. It would be useful if you had a very low gain amplifier, not sure why they included it unless just for marketing.

They said it could be good for a phono stage? I’ve been out of vinyl much longer than I’ve been out of tubes. I would probably put it after the attenuator and before the amp. It seems odd that they put the gain switch on the front and the power button on the back.

 

[john61ct]

They said it could be good for a phono stage?

?? Link?

> It seems odd that they put the gain switch on the front and the power button on the back.

Yes, famous for power toggle on the back, even their biggest fans complain about that. Next biggest gripe is not offering the silver colorway for all models.

 

[Joe Smith]

Mine arrived! Very fast shipping. Sounds good at first listen. Need to A/B compare tomorrow. Tested feeding into Aiyima AO7 MAX mono amps.

 

[mhardy6647]

A company so unimaginative about its name, does not inspire confidence.

I wouldn't trust a kettle made by a company called Cockwomble, for example, even if they explained: the founder's name was Willie Cockwomble and it's not a laughing matter. Or expensive underpants made by Calvin Prolapse.... Umm I'll stop before I get chucked off the forum....

Luxury, Classic British Made Bathrooms | Thomas Crapper

We are the proud manufacturer of luxury, classic British bathroom products. Thomas Crapper & Co, the original name in bathrooms, view our extensive ranges.

thomas-crapper.com

 

[Ropeburn]

Luxury, Classic British Made Bathrooms | Thomas Crapper

We are the proud manufacturer of luxury, classic British bathroom products. Thomas Crapper & Co, the original name in bathrooms, view our extensive ranges.

thomas-crapper.com

View attachment 531870

Meanwhile, in the lands where they say Bad for bath

 

[wadude]

?? Link?

> It seems odd that they put the gain switch on the front and the power button on the back.

Yes, famous for power toggle on the back, even their biggest fans complain about that. Next biggest gripe is not offering the silver colorway for all models.

Sorry, no link...I think it was in some review that they mentioned as an example the Buf supporting an underpowered phono preamp.

In the end three things keep me from making the purchase:

• The fact is that I'm really happy pursuing a clean sound in order to get close the actual recordings. I happened be listening to the Rolling Stones December's Children album and it was inspiring to hear a sound that is a stone's throw (well, maybe) from what Andrew Oldham heard on tape when he was producing it. I've heard the recording through tubes most of my life and it's never sounded this good to me.
• The power toggle on the back of the unit. I'm not opposed to turning a unit backwards and have turned my amp sideways to deal with the same issue, excepting that...
• The brand name is actually off putting for me. I cuss and everything, but folks don't refer to audio racks as "alters" for nothing. I guess I'm seeking a little purity in the brand names that are on that hallowed shelf.

 

[john61ct]

spelt altars

Will abstain from responding to the rest

 

[Redacted]

Luxury, Classic British Made Bathrooms | Thomas Crapper

We are the proud manufacturer of luxury, classic British bathroom products. Thomas Crapper & Co, the original name in bathrooms, view our extensive ranges.

thomas-crapper.com

View attachment 531870

Yes the original. I knew one of his offspring! But in the UK today, you won't see that in any porcelain item!

I am reminded of the famous Malcolm Urinal who invented a compact convenience for men. And then there was Jimmy McSuppository who...

 

[Bob from Florida]

They said it could be good for a phono stage? I’ve been out of vinyl much longer than I’ve been out of tubes. I would probably put it after the attenuator and before the amp. It seems odd that they put the gain switch on the front and the power button on the back.

Adding gain to the output of a phono stage. Might be useful in the right situation, like running the Schiit Mani in its lowest gain setting to maximize its headroom with a 2 mv cartridge. Only makes sense if your current choices for cartridge and phono preamp are not well matched. On the other hand, could be a “solution” looking for a “problem”. It’s cheap enough for “playing around” though.

 

[Ropeburn]

Adding gain to the output of a phono stage. Might be useful in the right situation, like running the Schiit Mani in its lowest gain setting to maximize its headroom with a 2 mv cartridge. Only makes sense if your current choices for cartridge and phono preamp are not well matched. On the other hand, could be a “solution” looking for a “problem”. It’s cheap enough for “playing around” though.

Yeah... sounds like a waste if you can simply use a good phono stage with high gain instead. They're cheap these days. X5 comes to mind.

 

[Bob from Florida]

Yeah... sounds like a waste if you can simply use a good phono stage with high gain instead. They're cheap these days. X5 comes to mind.

Nothing else out there does what the Parks Audio Waxwing does for $500. Yes, there are cheaper units that may measure better - but the feature set coupled with adequate performance at its price point is unbeatable.

 

[Ropeburn]

Nothing else out there does what the Parks Audio Waxwing does for $500. Yes, there are cheaper units that may measure better - but the feature set coupled with adequate performance at its price point is unbeatable.

Of course adjustability is much better overall. It's just that simply adding gain is nothing you need an extra shitbox for.

 

[Multicore]

Does the GAIN switch on this work like on a boost pedal? Like an Xotic RC, for example?

 

[Bob from Florida]

Does the GAIN switch on this work like on a boost pedal? Like an Xotic RC, for example?

Input impedance is 470K ohms, so you could “clean” boost an electric guitar. Unless it overdrives whatever is downstream, I would not expect any useful distortion.