I have not heard the buffered GC but I have heard another buffered SS amp. Does'nt make sense to me, Tube Sound is wrong, if your amp has Tube Sound, fix it. I have heard quite a few well designed tube amps and their characteristic sound is one of music. SS amps are too bright and lifeless for me. I do like the chips though; but honestly they too have a little sheen to them. It's just that they are so much fun. Run Mr. Groovysound by me again; have you used this configuration? The tube is a voltage gain stage ahead of the GC?