MUSEWIRE – Music News / U.S. audiophile manufacturer, Schiit Audio, has recently released its new BUF Coherence™ Tube Buffer to “buff” up your sterile sounding audio with a little bit more glow. Tubes are well known for adding additional harmonic distortion in a pleasing way, often referred to as warmth. With budget systems, audio can often sound flat, or dull, and an inline tube stage might bring music more alive. What makes this notable, is the $99(US) price.

According to the company, “Buf uses our Coherence topology, the same as Vali 3 and Lyr 5. This topology combines a tube and a discrete BJT to create a uniquely flexible gain cell. That’s why Buf is the only tube buffer that offers gain and doesn’t invert the signal phase. There’s a transistor in there as well — and, to be technical, another transistor used as a diode.”

While being “budget” priced, the BUF still offers Schiit’s usual bent of “cheap can still be very good.” E.g., NOS 6N1P tube, quality parts like Panasonic film capacitors and MELF resistors, and a 100% linear power supply with 100V on the tube plate, and a dedicated 6VAC heater supply that can provide up to 600mA of current. It’s a great way to add extra warmth to Schiit’s own mini-stack gear.

Why do I need a tube buffer?
With their usual flair for humor and charm, the Schiit Audio FAQ asks: Why do I need a tube buffer? Answer: “Nobody needs a tube buffer. Nobody needs fancy audio of any kind. You need food, shelter, and lots of other Maslowian things before you get to audiophilia.”

Example onnections:
1. Connect it between your preamp and amp. This way, Buf can be used with all of the sources connected to your preamp.
2. Connect it between a single source (like a DAC) and preamp, integrated amp, or headphone amp. Then you can use Buf with a single selected source.

Technical Specifications:
Low Gain (0dB)
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, +/-1dB
THD: <0.5%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 1V RMS IMD: <0. 6%, CCIR SNR: >106db, A-weighted, referenced to 1V RMS
Crosstalk: -90dB, 20Hz-20KHz

High Gain (12dB)
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, +/-1dB
THD: <0.2%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 1V RMS IMD: <0.4%, CCIR SNR: >97db, A-weighted, referenced to 1V RMS
Crosstalk: -80dB, 20Hz-20KHz

Output Impedance: 75 ohms
Input Impedance: 470k ohms
Maximum output: 8.2V RMS
Topology: Coherence™: tube voltage gain with convolved BJT inverter, run in Class A
Protection: delayed start and fast shut-down with muting relay
Power Supply: wall wart with 24VAC and 6VAC outputs, linear regulated HV and LV rails for tube and bipolar components, 6V AC heater
Power Consumption: 6W
Size: 5 x 3.5 x 2.75”
Weight: 1 lb

About Schiit:
Schiit started in 2010 with the introduction of the original Asgard and Valhalla headphone amplifiers. Since then, we’ve introduced dozens of other unique, no-compromise, affordable, made-in-USA products, from DACs to preamps and power amps. Today, you can create an ultra-high-performance audio system (or systems) from our product line—without requiring a second mortgage to pay for it.

Learn more at: https://www.schiit.com/products/buf

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This original article first appeared on MUSWIRE.com and is © 2026 Christopher Simmons. Image courtesy and © Schiit Audio.