Little Dot I+ Headphone Amp Impressions

[Mr. Lin]

That is something entirely different, and I have an odd love of that sound. Want to know what that (usually) is? a text message. No joke, if your amplifier is in the way of a call phone tower that just sent on in the area you are in, you can "intercept" it. I used to listen to a big old 60's GE radio in studyhall, I could tell you when, and roughly how long a message someone just got was.

Wow man, that's really neat. I thought it might have something to do with cell phones, and guess what? There's a giant freaking tower right across the street!

When we moved here I was worried that the tower was going to cause me all kinds of aggravation because I don't use shielded cables, but so far nothing but the text messages.

 

[Gonzalo]

A quick update

Just wanted to thank you all guys for your advice, overall knowledge sharing and camaraderie; in the group a really good place to be in and meet friends with similar tastes,and goals.

The 2 best combinations for my RS1's are as follows.
tubes WE408A's with OPA 2107.
then also TUng-Sol 1940's 6AK5's with LT 1355, they soudn different but both very musical.

Still irritating is in only some songs the upper midarange glare but now I am convinced is the combination of my ears and the GRados RS1's I want into a colleague a few weeks back and heard Sennheisers 650 and a wonderful pair of AKG 340 (old cans) though a Woo 6SE amp and low and behold sounded nothing like my Grados in the regard of the hardness I hear in the mids, so I have to conlcude that after trying quite a few headphone amps in my rig and with my cans it's the combinatins of my sensitivities on that frequancy region and the RS1's.
Not directly blaming teh RS-1's as much as my ears I know I have problems in that region already noticed that many years ago on other systems, headphones, speakers, etc.

So, it pains me to say that I will probably be putting my much beloved RS-s in the market soon enough and get something else ..

Any suggestions anyone?

I love the transparency the immediacy and intimacy of the RS-1's but I can't:scratch2: enjoy music when once in a while I get irritated by this phenomena.:yes:
I'll rather get a smoother sounding HP even if I have to sacrifice clarity to get to the point of relaxation and trade off real sound and spicey for smooth I guess.

Feel free to offer your suggestions and advice.

Thanks;

Gonzalo

 

[Mr. Lin]

Just wanted to thank you all guys for your advice, overall knowledge sharing and camaraderie; in the group a really good place to be in and meet friends with similar tastes,and goals.

The 2 best combinations for my RS1's are as follows.
tubes WE408A's with OPA 2107.
then also TUng-Sol 1940's 6AK5's with LT 1355, they soudn different but both very musical.

Still irritating is in only some songs the upper midarange glare but now I am convinced is the combination of my ears and the GRados RS1's I want into a colleague a few weeks back and heard Sennheisers 650 and a wonderful pair of AKG 340 (old cans) though a Woo 6SE amp and low and behold sounded nothing like my Grados in the regard of the hardness I hear in the mids, so I have to conlcude that after trying quite a few headphone amps in my rig and with my cans it's the combinatins of my sensitivities on that frequancy region and the RS1's.
Not directly blaming teh RS-1's as much as my ears I know I have problems in that region already noticed that many years ago on other systems, headphones, speakers, etc.

So, it pains me to say that I will probably be putting my much beloved RS-s in the market soon enough and get something else ..

Any suggestions anyone?

I love the transparency the immediacy and intimacy of the RS-1's but I can't:scratch2: enjoy music when once in a while I get irritated by this phenomena.:yes:
I'll rather get a smoother sounding HP even if I have to sacrifice clarity to get to the point of relaxation and trade off real sound and spicey for smooth I guess.

Feel free to offer your suggestions and advice.

Thanks;

Gonzalo

It might be something else - what source are you using? If it's a CD player, even decent ones can suffer from midrange glare, especially with poor recordings (of which there is no shortage). I speak from experience here, having climbed the CD player ladder to a fairly high rung now. Midrange glare drives me nuts, and it's presence is what I think turns a lot of people off to CDs forever, but it doesn't have to be that way.

One example of this is my Jolida 100 tube CD player. Ironically it turns out that of my three Cd players, the Jolida is clearly the harshest and brightest sounding. I have a current thread in the music forum about how this nearly ruined the Beatles in Mono box set for me until I realized much of the listener fatigue I was getting with those CDs was from the Jolida.

The other reason I'm wondering is because, as you know, I have the Grado 325i headphones, two whole steps down from what you're using, and once the sources were up to par, I never noticed glare except on the very worst recordings.

 

[Gonzalo]

Thanks Mr Lin for your reply

Thanks! this is one of the moments of clarity for me.
My sources are very meticulously and fastidiously picked and took many years of listening and upgrades etc.
I am new to the HeadPhone arena but not new to audio, My sources are Yamaha CD/DVD used as a drive only then form there I have a choice iof Benchmark Media DAC-1, CAL Alpha DAC and now for a couple of days a friends newly modded Music Hall DAC25.3 form there into preamp (Audible Illusions L-2, also heavily modded), then into the little dot I+.
All with silver cables form Kimber, PSC,
Copper sounds pretty lifeless once you 've gone silver and made right . . :yes:

I think I need something different not necessarily better, that midrange brightness in some songs is really getting to me and keeping em form enjoying my moments of relax and my music.

I'll give this another shot with some different cables etc. and see how it goes.

Headphone listening not my main attraction only when late at night and don't want to bother my kids that gets up very early (6:30) for school.
I usually get up much later than that and start my day of work.
I do have anoher preamp (classé SSP series) but nothing like the A.I. for 2 channel music and several amps Yaqin MC100B for the 2 channel rig, also Aragon 4004 MK-II, Threshold T5000e, SUnfire Cinema, others hand made (monoblocks ) in the Czech Republic beautiful sounding amps, Crown for monitoring PL-50's and a few others receivers etc, on hand as well.

No shortage of gear around, I would have to start selling some stuff, I'm becoming a collector.

As headphones go before the Grados Y had a pair of halfway decent Sony's but also brightness :nono: . . i'm telling you I think it's a combination of my ears and the HP's I think.

Need a pair of cans that sounds smooth like this fellow Hybrid cans.


Again thanks for the support and help.
We'll be in touch.

Gonzalo

 

[Mr. Lin]

All with silver cables form Kimber, PSC,
Copper sounds pretty lifeless once you 've gone silver and made right . . :yes:

You're telling me friend, I preach that all the time. If you change over to silver cables and everything sounds brighter, there's either something wrong with the design of the cable, or something wrong somewhere else in the system. I've found solid silver conductors to be simply more transparent and revealing in most cases.

So clearly the issue is not your other components. It seems you already have a good idea of what it is though, so I'm sure you'll be able to work it out eventually. Let me know if there's anything else I can help with.

 

[JimmyNeutron]

Wow!! I've been reading thru all these pages very intently the last couple of nights. What facinating thoughts about tubes and the Little Dot we have here. For the last few weeks I've been dying to get myself a tube headphone amplifer. I've never owned any tube piece, so this would be my first. I will primarily use it with my iPod ( music ripped at 320kps ) and my SONY MDR-V700 headphones. I hope to someday save up enough for some nice Grados or Senhiesers, but for now the SONY's will have to do. I love the SONY's, I love the sound. I also love the way my iPod sounds to, but I just want to get into that "tube" thing. So, after reading up on Mr. Lin's toy, the Little Dot 1+ I decided to bite the bullet and ordered one from Hong Kong tonight. It is scheduled to arrive the day after Thanksgiving! I can't wait. I do want to try some of the mods Mr. Lin has done to his, as well as experiment with different tubes. The problem is this is new territory for me, and I have no idea what kinds, types, etc of tube I would need. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Jimmy

 

[33&athird]

Wow!! I've been reading thru all these pages very intently the last couple of nights.
Jimmy

Hey, congrats on your purchase:thmbsp:, This thread convinced me to buy one, and I haven't regretted a minute of it.

Here is a list of supported tubes, though equivilents can be used (have to check datasheets for many of these to find out the "family" of tube);

6JI, WE403A/B, GE5654, M8100, CV4010, EF95
EF92, CV131
WE408A

Any of those tubes will work, from any brand. Several of those types require jumper movement, and opening the unit, not a difficult operation, if you have a screwdriver and are careful. The unit will come with a manual with pretty decent instructions.

Pretty much any op-amp will work, though some are "perfered" and tested well in the unit.

I hope it arrives safely, let us know how you like it:thmbsp:

 

[JimmyNeutron]

Hey, congrats on your purchase:thmbsp:, This thread convinced me to buy one, and I haven't regretted a minute of it.

Here is a list of supported tubes, though equivilents can be used (have to check datasheets for many of these to find out the "family" of tube);

6JI, WE403A/B, GE5654, M8100, CV4010, EF95
EF92, CV131
WE408A

Any of those tubes will work, from any brand. Several of those types require jumper movement, and opening the unit, not a difficult operation, if you have a screwdriver and are careful. The unit will come with a manual with pretty decent instructions.

Pretty much any op-amp will work, though some are "perfered" and tested well in the unit.

I hope it arrives safely, let us know how you like it:thmbsp:

Thanks for the info 33. OK, so I need to get the OPA BB2107 op-amp for starters. Where can I get it from - eBay? And the tubes - I've been reading from you and Mr.Lin that the russian tubes are the best. Where can I get these? Or should I? Being that my headphones are lowly SONY MDR-V700's.

Jimmy

 

[Mr. Lin]

Thanks for the info 33. OK, so I need to get the OPA BB2107 op-amp for starters. Where can I get it from - eBay? And the tubes - I've been reading from you and Mr.Lin that the russian tubes are the best. Where can I get these? Or should I? Being that my headphones are lowly SONY MDR-V700's.

Jimmy

Hi Jimmy,
The Russian tubes aren't necessarily the best, in fact I've had a couple recently begin to have ringing issues. As far as sound goes, they're definitely way up there IMO, and because of the gold/platinum alloy construction, they should theoretically be pretty durable and long-lasting.

One thing to keep in mind: when you're buying op-amps, they need to be "dual" or "2-channel" op-amps. You'll notice in a number of posts here I've shown and talked about the op-amps on adapters. The adapters allow two single-channel op-amps to be used together inside the Little Dot I+.

There's a guy on ebay - I forget his username now but it's somewhere early on in this thread - he's reliable and has all kinds of good op-amps for sale. You can also get some of them through basic electronics suppliers like Mouser or Digikey.

My advice is to hold off on tube and op-amp rolling until you've gotten used to the sound of your new headphone amp.

Let us know how it works out for you and if you have any questions.

 

[33&athird]

Hi Jimmy,
The Russian tubes aren't necessarily the best, in fact I've had a couple recently begin to have ringing issues. As far as sound goes, they're definitely way up there IMO, and because of the gold/platinum alloy construction, they should theoretically be pretty durable and long-lasting.

There's a guy on ebay - I forget his username now but it's somewhere early on in this thread - he's reliable and has all kinds of good op-amps for sale. You can also get some of them through basic electronics suppliers like Mouser or Digikey.
.

The ebay guy is Samerpav, unfortunately, he only has one product up now, a 2107 in SOIC form, which would require an adaptor, since it lacks the usual legs.

Those russian tubes are fantastic, but some other tubes sound really great, much of my experiance with other tubes is based on the headphones i'm using, so one that's "too dark" may sound excellent with a more balanced, or "bright" setup:yes:.

I'll have to drop in tomorrow and post some more stuff as it comes to mind...

 

[JimmyNeutron]

Cool. Thanks for the advice. I'll hold off until the unit arrives. Right now there is a guy on eBay selling an OPA2107 dual for $2.95. Should I just order that now so that? I've been reading the comments and it seems everyone is in agreeance in changing out the OP AMP regardless - and the 2107 seems to be the best one.

Jimmy

 

[JimmyNeutron]

I just wanted to do a little update. The aforementioned Brimar 6AK5 tubes remain installed in my I+, and it's been a while, so that's saying something. I don't feel the need to change them out. They give just enough of that "tube magic" without overdoing it, that's why I like them so much.

So, they're rare, but anyone with one of the Little Dot headphone amps that takes this tube type would do well to try and hunt down a pair.

Their is currently a seller on eBay from Italy selling a pair of these for $50.00. I am willing to drop the cash for these if I can get someone to chime in and tell me that they are a good match with a BB2107 and my SONY MDR-V700's. BTW, my music is mostly rock, classic rock, New Age, and softer stuff like Sarah Maclaghlan, Tori Amos, etc.

Jimmy

 

[Mr. Lin]

Their is currently a seller on eBay from Italy selling a pair of these for $50.00. I am willing to drop the cash for these if I can get someone to chime in and tell me that they are a good match with a BB2107 and my SONY MDR-V700's. BTW, my music is mostly rock, classic rock, New Age, and softer stuff like Sarah Maclaghlan, Tori Amos, etc.

Jimmy

I don't know, that's a crap-shoot, especially because it's coming from Italy. I would still recommend waiting, because even if you get them intact there's no guarantee that they'll be good - re: not noisy, or about to die. Also keep in mind I think I paid something like $8 for mine with shipping, although they were used. I really like that tube, but there are other things you could do with the $50, like put it toward new headphones.

As for the 2107, if samerpav has one that cheap I'd definitely go for it. Although some people have expressed satisfaction with the stock op-amp you get with the I+, I found almost anything else to be better.

 

[JimmyNeutron]

Thanks Mr. Lin. I'll hold off on the tubes for now. I already ordered the 2107 - it was cheap enough. I would like to purchase something, but I can't find one - a high quality line out dock or cable. Do you know where I can purchase one? Ebay does not seem to have high quality docks.

Jimmy

 

[JimmyNeutron]

Thanks Mr. Lin. I'll hold off on the tubes for now. I already ordered the 2107 - it was cheap enough. I would like to purchase something, but I can't find one - a high quality line out dock or cable. Do you know where I can purchase one? Ebay does not seem to have high quality docks.

Jimmy

 

[JimmyNeutron]

Hmmmmm...:scratch2: That was wierd. Kinda deja'vu.

 

[Mr. Lin]

Could you clarify what you mean by line out dock, I don't understand?

 

[JimmyNeutron]

Ooops. Sorry, my bad. I assumed you were using your iPod to connect to the LD and that you made some cables for it. I now re-read the first post and understand that you are using a Jolida CD player. Since all my music had been imported into my PC in FLAC format, as well as my iPod, I will be using my LD with these 2 sources exclusively. I was looking for a "better" cable for the iPod's dock. I pulled the gun and got a real nice custom dock/cable to connect the iPod to the Little Dot, as well as a nice AC power cord. When the LD arrives later this week I'll have everything ready, except the tubes, to enjoy some good tunes in solidarity while the in-laws yap all they want!!

 

[JimmyNeutron]

It has arrived!!!

Currently it is in pure stock for except for the upgraded power cable and upgraded RCA cable. I plan to listen to it for about 1 week like this then I'll swap out the OP-AMP with the BB2107 and the tubes for some 408's. I am totally stoked!! My main source will be the PC with all my music in FLAC format, and occassionaly my iPod using the line out, all music ripped at 320k. I'll give my impressions later this evening. Right now I'm off for some music!!

Jimmy

 

[33&athird]

It has arrived!!!

Currently it is in pure stock for except for the upgraded power cable and upgraded RCA cable. I plan to listen to it for about 1 week like this then I'll swap out the OP-AMP with the BB2107 and the tubes for some 408's. I am totally stoked!! My main source will be the PC with all my music in FLAC format, and occassionaly my iPod using the line out, all music ripped at 320k. I'll give my impressions later this evening. Right now I'm off for some music!!

Jimmy

Boy is that ever a good looking setup:thmbsp:

Very nice headphone stand (was that it's original, intended purpose?), I use a banana stand myself. Also, that power cord...wowzers does it look big.

When you ordered the little dot, did you upgrade the tubes?, they don't look quite like the 6j1's I got

Definitely let us know what you think of the sound:yes: