Pics of my new headphone amplifier with vacuum tubes - Little Dot MKIII

[aphex]

Sounds AMAZING paired up with my Sennheiser HD595's

Technical Specifications:
* Frequency response: 12 hz~100 Khz (-1dB)
* THD+N: 0.15% (80 mW @300 ohm)
* Power Output:
* 350 mW @ 300/600 ohm
* 300 mW @ 120 ohm
* 100 mW @ 32 ohm
* Variable Gain: 3,4,5, or 10x
* Recommended Load Impedance: 32 ohm~600 ohm
* Pre-Amplifier Output Impedance: 10K ohm
* Driver Tubes: 2x GE5654
* Power Tubes: 2x Soviet 6H6PI
* High quality aluminum chassis
* Dimensions (Metric): 270mm deep by 175mm wide by 123mm high
* Dimensions (American): 10.6 inches deep by 6.9 inches wide by 4.8 inches
* Weight: 3 Kg or 6.6 lbs

http://www.iiki.org/pics/littledot0.jpg
http://www.iiki.org/pics/littledot1.jpg

 

[Tiamat]

and soon you will be lost to tube rolling... have fun! Nice amp, may I ask cost/place of purchase?

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
and soon you will be lost to tube rolling... have fun! Nice amp, may I ask cost/place of purchase?

I think its about $250 + shipping direct from the manufacturer via ebay.

It is a nice amp. Wish I had the money to pick up an amp for my DT770/250s. Its going to be a while before I'll be able to pick up any more headphone gear, but an amp is definitely high on the list. Not sure if I'll go solid state or tube, although its nice that there's an abundance of nice quality amps to be had.

 

[potato28]

It must be nice. Does it really fill out the 595's bass?

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17

Originally posted by: Tiamat
and soon you will be lost to tube rolling... have fun! Nice amp, may I ask cost/place of purchase?

I think its about $250 + shipping direct from the manufacturer via ebay.

It is a nice amp. Wish I had the money to pick up an amp for my DT770/250s. Its going to be a while before I'll be able to pick up any more headphone gear, but an amp is definitely high on the list. Not sure if I'll go solid state or tube, although its nice that there's an abundance of nice quality amps to be had.

Actually it was $199 + shipping, so $245 shipped in total...

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: potato28
It must be nice. Does it really fill out the 595's bass?

VERY VERY much so. I have two other amps, both solid state, and while they make the treble sound great, the tubes really fill in the mids/low frequencies. The best i could describe it would be "liquidy warmth"

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: aphex

Actually it was $199 + shipping, so $245 shipped in total...

Ah, maybe I was thinking of the MKIV.

 

[spidey07]

And people think I'm crazy for loving tubes and vinyl.

Enjoy good sound.

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: potato28
It must be nice. Does it really fill out the 595's bass?

VERY VERY much so. I have two other amps, both solid state, and while they make the treble sound great, the tubes really fill in the mids/low frequencies. The best i could describe it would be "liquidy warmth"

That's what I've heard over at Head-Fi. Enjoy.

 

[RupTheKid]

aphex - why do you prefer the 595 over the 600's or the 650's? I'm only asking because you chose to invest in a nice tube headphone amplifier, so I'm guessing that budget isn't the deciding factor.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: RupTheKid
aphex - why do you prefer the 595 over the 600's or the 650's? I'm only asking because you chose to invest in a nice tube headphone amplifier, so I'm guessing that budget isn't the deciding factor.

Well, actually budget was a deciding factor. The Little Dot tubes are relatively cheap compared to many other tube models, anything higher wasn't really even in contention. Actually, the little dots are some of the cheapest full desktop units I've seen, most solid state designs start at $300+.

As for the headphones, it was a combo of price/quality for me. The 595's had gotten very good reviews from many on headfi and could be found for under $150 used so I jumped and have been very happy since. When i was looking, my primary concern was the following; Comfort, Clarity, Bass, and Price. The 595's gave me all but bass, until i added the MKIII, now its very full and tight, I just love it.

 

[SLCentral]

doublepost.

 

[SLCentral]

Hey aphex,

Do you have any IEM's lying around, that you'd be able to try out with the LD2 and let me know what kind of performance improvements you hear compared to un-amped? I've been toying with getting a tube amp for my UE-5c's, but I'm not sure if I want to shell out that kind of money for IEM's; it may make more sense to just get a amp and a pair of the HD650's .

 

[aphex]

I have a pair of westone UM2's, but no 1/8" -> 1/4" jack. I may be able to pick one up later today, if so I will definitely let you know my experiences.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: aphex
I have a pair of westone UM2's, but no 1/8" -> 1/4" jack. I may be able to pick one up later today, if so I will definitely let you know my experiences.

I'd really appreciate it!

 

[RupTheKid]

aphex - that's completely understandable. Everybody has their own preferences, but for me I really thought the 600s were a significant step above the 595's...I would guess more significant than adding a dedicated headphone amplifier. Anyway, I know 600's end up at audiogon.com for <$180 pretty regularly, and I'm sure you could sell your headphones for a good chunk of that price. I'm not saying you should upgrade...but it's just something to think about for when the upgrade bug strikes again .

 

[aphex]

so i just rolled in some EF92 Mullard NOS tubes and O M F G...... Burnt them in overnight and i am in LOVE

Noticeably warmer than the 5654's, not as bright, but oh so liquidy warm... LOVE IT

 

[aphex]

btw, i just found a 1/8" -> 1/4" adapter so i'll get a chance to try out the UM2 IEM's today

 

[aphex]

sorry for the delay, gonna try out the westies now

BTW, i'm rounding 100+ hours on the amp now and it keeps getting sweeter and sweeter....

 

[montypythizzle]

Lemme borrow for my HD485s plz.

 

[aphex]

the thing weighs 7lbs, which is about 6.8lbs heaver than my last amp... not very portable unfortunately

 

[montypythizzle]

HD485s....
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/n...ail.asp?transid=500266

 

[Oyeve]

Now I must get one of these!

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: montypythizzle
HD485s....
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/n...ail.asp?transid=500266

These are mine: HD595

The most freaking COMFORTABLE headphone i've ever worn, hands down. I can wear it for 8+ hours and not even get uncomfortable...

Plus they can be found for awesome used prices, usually $120-140 over at head-fi

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: montypythizzle
HD485s....
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/n...ail.asp?transid=500266

These are mine: HD595

The most freaking COMFORTABLE headphone i've ever worn, hands down. I can wear it for 8+ hours and not even get uncomfortable...

Plus they can be found for awesome used prices, usually $120-140 over at head-fi

. I've been using my HD 595's that I got last week extensively with my Total Bithead amp, and I'm just not impressed. My IEM's sound better, are much more comfortable, and my 595's sound as if there's a veil covering the sound. They're not fully burned in yet, but as of now, they're going back to Headroom.