iFi Micro iTube2 Tube Buffer/Preamplifier/Output Stage/Line Stage/Impedance Matching Device - Home Audio/Stereo Entertainment Upgrade

This thing is a "Swiss Knife" for modifying your sound, with multiple features at the ready.I rode the controls obcessively early on, but now, I know exactly what I want as soon as a track starts playing. Here's hoping those toggle switches can take the punishment. :wink:---I use "SET" when I want to take the edge off of bright tracks (or bright headphones) - or whenever I intend to enjoy a long, fatigue-free listening session. :)I use "Classic" when I want maxiumum detail and transparency, yet still retaining a good measure of analog tubeliciousness - this is definitely not a "bypass." I probably spend more time here, than on the other two settings.I use the "Push-Pull" setting when I want to add warmth, dynamics and texture to an otherwise lifeless recording, but this is my least used setting of the three choices.---None of my headpones (or loudspeakers) sound good with the 12dB setting of the XBass feature, but some tracks/transducers really do sound better with the 6dB boost. It somehow manages to maintain the texture and pitch discernment that was there before engaging it, boosting bass energy transparently. I almost wish I had a choice of 3dB and 6dB, instead of 6dB and 12dB, but as a guy who dislikes the use of EQ solutions, as a rule, I'm really happy to have the 6dB XBass setting at my disposal.---I don't care for the strongest setting for 3D+, as it sounds, to my ears at least, as if it's adding some reverb, while bringing up the volume of any portion of the signal that's fully panned to the left or right channel. Not my cup of tea.The less aggressive 3D+ setting sounds very natural, however. I switch this in or out to taste, but it stays on, more often than not.I find two design issues annoying:1) They need to add an actual Bypass switch, so that you don't have to re-cable everthing to swtich it in and out of the signal path.2) All three of the 3-position toggle switches should be wired so that the least potent setting is at the bottom, the next most potent setting is in the middle and the srongest setting is at the top. (Currently, all three switches are arranged differently - which creates an unecessarily difficult learning curve.)That said, I'm very pleased with both the function and the build quality of the iTube2. I'm totally hooked on it - so much so, I might have to buy another one, to avoid having to move it from system to system in my house. :-)

This buffer is beyond incredible. At first I wasn't sure about it, but I am glad I gave it some time to break in. I am powering my Polk LSIM 707 towers with a Peach Tree Audio class D amp. The amplifier is powerful but wasn't warm enough. This tube buffer made the sound perfect. Huge sound stage, punchy bottom end. It actually made my towers blend better with my subwoofer. I am a picky audiophile. Trust me, you will love this device. Play with the settings. As amazing as my audio sounded before, it took the overall sound quality to a much higher level. Make sure you give it about 50 hours to break in before you get the true sound quality.

The iTube2 is an amazing piece of gear.I run it in the loop of a Peachtree Nova 300, through a pair of 4 ohm Tekton Pendragons. I use it in tube buffer mode w 9dB gain.It came in the mail yesterday. I plugged it in last night and was utterly unimpressed. In A/B comparison, it seemed to do absolutely nothing.I left it on all night. I woke up today wondering if I could get a refund.Then I tried it again and was absolutely knocked out by the improvement in soundstage, punch, immediacy, mids and highs clarity & overall awesomeness.Peachtree’s tech advisor Christian recommended the iTube 2 a year ago and I didn’t believe my Nova300 could sound $400 better. I was wrong.The Peachtree Nova300 is a class D amp and already has a fat, tube-esque sound. But the ITube 2 just opens it up.I do not have the vocabulary to do justice to how good this sounds in my system. I don’t know if it’ll do the same for you, but check out Zero Fidelity’s review of it. He definitely DOES have the vocabulary he’s got my vote for the Noam Chomsky of audio. Zero Fi has an association w ifi, but his review is even handed. He said he tested the iTube 2 on a rig costing $200,000 and it made that system sound better.I’ve spent an entire Saturday rediscovering my music collection with the iTube 2.CONS: In the high gain configuration, at high volumes, with bass-heavy songs, I sometimes get loud, annoying pops from my speakers. It may be that I’m bumping up on the limits of my speakers. Knowing how Tekton builds speakers I kind of doubt it, but we will see. Other people powered their ITube 2 for 100 hours before using it. Maybe on Monday it will be gone. This problem only occurs over 90dB.If it works half as well for you as it did for me, you’re going to lose your damned mind. Good luck! I wish you well.

Did not care for, nor did it, I feel, do the job for what it was intended. I guess that is why it's no longer available.

Fantastic product. Very satisfied with the sound it lends to my music and general home theater listening. Did not think I could benefit from the bass feature but it is hands down for me the greatest improvement ive experienced. My bookshelf speakers no longer require a subwoofer supporting them with music and the effect it has on my subwoofer is shocking at times. Otherwise, very pleased with how it adds a slight warmth and removes harshness to music as I primarily stream Tidal music. For me, the benefit was immediate to me and it hasnt left my system since I purchased it a month ago.