The EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp Total Tone Preservation is an EarthQuaker Devices preamp pedal, currently around $112.43. Close alternatives include the Crazy Tube Circuits Magnifier Buffer-Preamp and the Source Audio ZIO. It pairs well with the Walrus Audio Eons and the Suhr Rufus Reloaded.
EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp Total Tone Preservation
EarthQuaker Devices · pedal
The EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp is a buffer and signal boost pedal from Akron, Ohio boutique manufacturer EarthQuaker Devices, designed to maintain signal integrity in long cable and complex pedalboard setups by buffering the high-impedance guitar signal to a low-impedance output. The buffer stage prevents tone loss and high-frequency rolloff that occurs with passive guitar signals through long cables and multiple pedal chains. Optional preamp boost for additional signal level.
- preamp
- boost
- impedance
- boutique
- complex
- clarity
- buffered
- stage
Good for
- Live
- Studio
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Pedals that stack with the EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp Total Tone Preservation
Walrus Audio Eons
Walrus Audio
21% matchWalrus Audio Eons's low gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Suhr Rufus Reloaded
Suhr
21% matchSuhr Rufus Reloaded's fuzzy fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Dunlop JD-4S Rotovibe
pedal
15% matchKeep Dunlop JD-4S Rotovibe after EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp Total Tone Preservation in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp Total Tone Preservation's own gain stage
Vox Valvenergy Silk Drive
Vox
12% matchWhat Vox Valvenergy Silk Drive brings here leans toward smooth — that's worth building a pairing around
Malekko Electro-Harmonix Memory Toy Analog Delay
Electro-Harmonix
7% matchKeep Malekko Electro-Harmonix Memory Toy Analog Delay after EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp Total Tone Preservation in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp Total Tone Preservation's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Strymon BigSky
Strymon
7% matchRun Strymon BigSky after EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp Total Tone Preservation in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp Total Tone Preservation's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Tone City Dry Martini
Tone City
tonal matchTone City Dry Martini is voiced for a clean amp's front end — EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp Total Tone Preservation gives it exactly that
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchDr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2's fuzzy fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Cheaper alternatives
EarthQuaker Devices Utility Series Buffer Preamp
EarthQuaker Devices
83% similarityShared character: long_cable_runs, buffer, signal_integrity
EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp
EarthQuaker Devices
72% similarityShared character: pedalboard, long_cable_runs, buffer
Smokin' Amp Co. FX10 BiFet Preamp
Smokin Amp Co
66% similarityShared character: stage, preamp, boost
Electro-Harmonix Signal Pad
Electro-Harmonix
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Benson Amps Portable Distortion 424 MKII
Benson Amps
68% similarityShared character: 8_impedance, signal, stage
Xotic BB Preamp V1.5
Xotic
67% similarityShared character: stage, clarity, preamp
Boss BP-1w
Boss
66% similarityShared character: signal_integrity, preamp, boost
Browne Amplification The Fixer
Browne Amplification
93% similaritysimilar tone character
JHS Colour Box V2
JHS Pedals
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Mile End Effects PreAmp 150
Mile End Effects
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Crazy Tube Circuits Magnifier Buffer-Preamp
Crazy Tube Circuits
71% similarityShared character: pedalboard, buffer, long_cable_runs
Source Audio ZIO
Source Audio
69% similarityShared character: long_cable_runs, 8_impedance, clarity
Behringer PB100 Preamp Booster
Behringer
93% similaritysimilar tone character
J. Rockett Steampunk Boost/Buffer
J Rockett
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Origin Effects DCX Boost Black Edition
Origin Effects
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar Dept. 10 Boost
Blackstar
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp Total Tone Preservation?+
The closest matches in character are the Crazy Tube Circuits Magnifier Buffer-Preamp, the Source Audio ZIO, the Behringer PB100 Preamp Booster. Budget picks: EarthQuaker Devices Utility Series Buffer Preamp, EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp, Smokin' Amp Co. FX10 BiFet Preamp. Boutique upgrades: Benson Amps Portable Distortion 424 MKII, Xotic BB Preamp V1.5, Boss BP-1w.
What pairs well with the EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp Total Tone Preservation?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Walrus Audio Eons, Suhr Rufus Reloaded, Dunlop JD-4S Rotovibe — Walrus Audio Eons's low gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own.
How much does the EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp Total Tone Preservation cost?+
Around $112.43 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).