Matched and lovin it

[poppachubby]

Sounds good, but how would this be different from a dedicated buffer?

I can't give you a full technical answer, because I don't have one. Basically a buffer is like a pre-amp without any controls such as gain, etc. It has fixed values.

For the most part, buffers are fakin the funk. They will give your signal some desired effect, but there can be impedance issues depending on your source and where in the chain you are putting it. Some are good, but some won't change things as much as people think.

Guys like E-Stat can better answer this. It's not just buffers, but alot of products that are aimed at giving a tube sound by adding a tubed circuit are not always the real deal. I have read that by attenuating the signal combined with a buffer can produce better effects.

Check out my post to Eno, I think the topology of a proper tube amp modified to a phonocentric concept is the way to go.