Audio Amplifier Buffer Stage

What does a buffer do for the output stage of an audio ...

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/what-does-a-buffer-do-for-the-output-stage-of-an-audio-amplifier.593448/

I have been studying the various schematics of op-amp based audio amplifiers and I notice almost all of them include a buffer stage. Why is this so? Wikipedia states a buffer will provide a very high input impedance to the output of the op-amp and a low output impedance.

circuit design - Buffer stage for audio filter ...

https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/454538/buffer-stage-for-audio-filter

The corresponding voltage readings are simulated here (red is audio signal, green is amp input, blue is output of the entire stage): To be clear, the audio input contributes a negligible amount of current so the 12V supply effectively goes through one giant voltage divider which reduces it to 2.4V which it adds as a DC offset to the audio ...

Why not eliminate the input buffer? (And a big thanks to ...

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/why-not-eliminate-the-input-buffer-and-a-big-thanks-to-march-audio.14875/

Amplifiers: Output stage - Lenard Audio

https://education.lenardaudio.com/en/12_amps_5.html

Darlington complementary is the basic order in how the output stage of an amplifier is taught. All output transistors are arranged as emitter followers. The collectors are connected directly to the rails. The emitter follows the signal on base within 650mV. The output transistors do not increase the size of the audio signal.