Whest Audio Mastering Buffer BII User manual

Contents
Introduction
Brief History
Forward Thinking
Technical
Safety
Cleaning
Connections
Technical s p e c if ic a t ion
Fig.1 Rear panel
Fig.2 Basic audio connection
Warranty

Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Whest Audio Mastering Buffer BII final output stage.
As you know this unit is designed to retrieve the maximum amount of information from
your digital audio devices but doing it in the analog domain. It does this by using a
proprietary high speed, Class-A all discrete transistor, low noise audio circuitry using
topology gathered from the R&D gathered from our past DAP (Discrete Analog
Processing) programme and the TITAN Pro II 228 phonostage.
Brief history
Our background in the recording industry both in the recording and product design
arenas has shown us that although the 16 bit and 24 bit processing format used in ALL
CD players and many streamers are decent, their driver and output stages completely
fail them. Most mid-band/high-end CD players and streamers use very good quality IC
chip designs for their driver and output stages and even if they use a complete discrete
transistor type output stage ALL OF THESE designs fail to look at the actual requirements
of driving the following preamp/amplifier input stage. On ‘paper’ the output stages look

good but they all lack current drive and high voltage rails, just 2 things that are
absolutely required to pass the signal from these sources to the following amplifier.
We at whest audio set about trying to resolve more information from these formats for a
completely different project we were working on for a worldwide known UK based
musician. In that project the musician wanted far better audio from his already high-end
pro-spec digital audio interface and taped based back catelogue.
Forward thinking
Because of our very close links with the music recording industry we were able to
measure several pro-grade ADC audio interfaces, high-end domestic audio ADCs and CD
players. All exhibited the same thing - their outputs were all being driven incorrectly in
that the signal amplifier stages did not take into account what the post DAC signal
needs to get to the following amplifier. A good quality 16 bit processed signal can in
reality sound very good but only if the DAC output drivers can do their job
properly....and we mean properly!

With the results and the research acquired from the DAP programme we then went
about designing a phase corrected, ultra wide band, high-current, all discrete Class-A
final output model for our test CD player. The bandwidth of the prototype extended to
245khz and had a phase deviation of just 2degs broadband which was also channel
matched.
The complete lack of amplifier switching due to the Class-A topology, near zero phase
deviation, high current drive and an extended hf response enabled us to hear further
into the soundstage while extracting SO MUCH MORE information. Even our test subject
£400 CD player running through the prototype Mastering Final Output Stage sounded
like a high-resolution monster. Most of the listeners in the studio thought they were
listening to a 24/192 file, while other thought it was a DSD file or better !!!
For the final production version we decided to extend the frequency response, lower the
phase deviation, increase the operating voltage while keeping the noise levels
vanishingly low. The version you will be listening to is far far better than our prototype.

Technical
The internal design of the Mastering Buffer BII is all discrete and designed using high
speed transistor Class-A technology. All of the components are hand and channel
matched with further trimming at the setting stage of the production. This is the only
way we can achieve such a tight channel matched phase response and channel tracking
response.
Apart from the 2 bespoke high current low noise power transformers - one for each
channel, the Mastering Buffer BII incorporates a new power supply configuration which
enables the circuitry to occupy the same case as the transformer without the need of a
separate box. This means the high speed critical electronics can now utilise the ultra
stable, low noise and high speed power source in an instant – no delay lines - just ultra
low noise/ high current on tap! This translates into the type of noise floor that is
required for extracting large amounts of micro detail, far better image stability and
soundstaging which allows you to get closer to the recorded performance.

The Mastering Buffer Series does not represent any significant loading characteristics on
the CD/ Streamer output stage or interconnect so this last stage in the source device can
work ‘uninhibited’. With this in mind the Mastering Buffer BII can then do all of the
work adding current drive, allowing high levels of dynamic contrast to feed through and
resolve the smaller details to be heard properly during louder musical passages. ALL this
while resolving more in the soundstage.

Safety
Place your unit on a firm level surface where it is not exposed to dripping or splashing of
any liquid. Position it away from radiators and other heat sources and leave a space of
at least 5cms around the unit for ventilation.
Please note that there are no user serviceable parts inside.
In the unlikely event that this unit needs to be serviced please return it to an authorised
Whest Audio service agent.
There is a risk of electrical shock if this unit is opened!
Please do not attempt to open this unit for servicing or modification unless authorised as
it WILL invalidate your warranty.

Cleaning
When cleaning the unit please do not use any liquids as it may enter the unit causing it
to malfunction. We recommend applying a very small amount of engineering oil such as
WD40® to a lint free cloth to periodically clean the unit.
Connections
Please read the safety section before connecting your unit.
Before connecting to the mains, check that the mains supply voltage corresponds to the
voltage printed next to the power inlet. If the mains voltage is different, please consult
your authorised Whest Audio dealer.
All Mastering Buffer BII units come supplied with an audiophile grade interconnect.
Although all listening tests were conducted with this interconnect please feel free to use
your preferred interconnect or ask your dealer for advice.

1. When connecting the Mastering Buffer BII please make sure that your system has
been switched OFF and the Mastering Buffer BII is also OFF.
2. Please make sure that the Mastering Buffer BII is connected to a switched
wall socket or similar switched socket using an appropriate power lead and
is in the OFF position.
3. First switch off your CD player or steamer and disconnect it from the
amplifier/preamplifier or other product.
4. Connect the Mastering buffer BII audio interconnect to the CD player/ streamer
observing the colour codes for channel ID. (white = Left, red = Right). Next
connect the power cable to the switched wall outlet.
5. Connect the output of the Mastering Buffer BII to the amplifier/preamplifier Line /CD
or aux input.
7. Once you are happy that all inputs and outputs have been connected properly,
switch the power on- on the wall socket and then switch the Mastering Buffer BII via
the rear panel on/off switch located next to the power inlet.

8. If all is OK then 2 small RED LEDs will glow on the front panel of the Mastering
Buffer BII – this indicates that the Left and Right channels are both OK.
10. Select the correct source input on the amplifier/preamplifier.
11. You are now ready to enjoy, so, play a CD or digital file, sit back and enjoy.
It may take several hours to several days before the Mastering Buffer BII Class-A stages
to settles down to work efficiently, but generally 48 hours is sufficient time for the
sensitive components to find their ‘steady state’ working temperature.
The Mastering Buffer BII has been designed to simply integrate into any audio or
computer based system.
Please familiarise yourself with the rear panel layout Fig. 1 as it will make connecting,
unplugging and cleaning easier. For basic connectivity follow Fig. 2.