A warehouse find! We have a limited quantity of our original Buffer amplifier. This is very similar to the higher spec BA 3 which has improved regulation and signal to noise figures, but normally will will be fine with average sensitivity loudspeakers.

"B" Grade BA 2 buffer amplifier with very slight cosmetic marks.

It is a small relatively inexpensive upgrade. 

What the BA 2 does:

Not everyone is willing or able to change to valve amplifiers. But many hi fi fans find their system can sound too harsh and tiring to listen to for long periods of time. Our BA3 is designed to fit between any two units of hi fi and will insert some “warmth and colour” making your hi fi system more pleasant to listen to.

Although Valves and Solid State amplifiers both do the same job, they do it differently, microchips are excellent for digital circuits, valves are increasingly recognised as having musical qualities that are impossible to “see” in specification or measurement.

A “buffer” amplifier does not amplify the signal voltage, but increases its strength (or current). In the process of passing the signal through a vacuum tube, subtle changes are made to its nature, which many people perceive as an improvement.

Hi Fi has now reached a level where enthusiasts can detect the tiny improvements of power conditioning, cables, interconnects etc, and of course the difference between transistors and valves.

So it follows that an all valve, triode, Class A buffer stage can add something that you may be missing!

 It may be connected for example between a CD/DAC/STREAMER etc, player and amplifier, or between a pre and power amplifier. It is also extremely effective at reducing the loss of long connecting cables. 

E.G: All cables have high frequency loss, even exotic interconnects can have a relatively large capacitance per meter, so a 10 m cable will absorb 10 times more high frequency detail than a one-meter length. So if the output impedance (the lower the better) of your preamp is not as good as it could be, you will lose vital high frequency detail. It is not a question of amplification but of “muscle” to make sure that no detail is lost on the way through your interconnects.

We use a deceptively simple yet elegant SRPP circuit which has a delightful open yet warm sound. No feedback is used so the true so the true individual valve sound quality is not diminished. The superb 6SN7 valve has lovely qualities. But for tube rollers out there other vintage valves are an option see below. 


·     Dimensions: 10cm W x 26cm D x 12.5cm H mm (16cm H with valves).

·     Packed Weight= 2.6kg

(Specifications subject to change) *(UK only from Icon Audio Ltd) 

Summary:

An inexpensive way of adding some valve magic into your system whilst keeping you existing equipment.

Icon Audio have been ebay sellers since 2005 and have an excellent reputation with excellent feedback. Our equipment is thoroughly tested and auditioned, carefully photographed showing any imperfections. We do our best to give accurate descriptions so that you may have confidence in your purchase. See our excellent feedback.
You are welcome to visit for an audition and meet our team - David Shaw.

Item may be auditioned and collected from our Leicester office.

Questions are welcome.

Please note: Buyer pays for returns and original shipping charge. Subject to a 10% charge for re-packing and testing. Buyers with low or negative feedback may be declined.