TUBE HEADPHONE AMPS and there odd little bottles?

goraman

goraman

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It seems most of the little dot tube headphone amps use tubes I can't even find on ebay.I don't know why they cant use current production glass like EL84's and 12AT7's.They seem to be very well made but tube replacement concerns me.Is there menny other choices under $500.00 U.S.?:music:
 
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Just did a quick google and it gives me the Mark III with a pair of 6J6 tubes and a pair of 6N6 tubes. A 6J6 is a triode/twin diode. Basically half a 12ax7 with a pair of diodes built in. Little point in using two of these things where a single 12ax7 would have done, unless the idea is a "twin mono" configuration with completely independent stages. These are available and cheap, nobody seems to know about them. They were one of those tv and radio tubes that gets little attention. AES lists them for $1.43 each.

The 6N6 looks to be a funky guy, basically a twin triode thats internally connected as a 2 stage amp inside one bottle. AES lists them for $15.25, so they're cheap enough at any rate
 
6J1 is the Russian number, 6AK5 and similar are equivalent and common enough and cheap. The 6N6 is a Russian dual triode, not the same as the old EIA 6N6G. Not hard to find, but it might be good to pick up a spare pair, even though they should last for YEARS in a headphone amp.
 
There are oodles of tube dealers on the net, and if you want good prices, you go to the ones who don't specialize in audio but cater to radio buffs. They'll have the same tubes at lower prices.
 
Tom Bavis said:
6J1 is the Russian number, 6AK5 and similar are equivalent and common enough and cheap. The 6N6 is a Russian dual triode, not the same as the old EIA 6N6G. Not hard to find, but it might be good to pick up a spare pair, even though they should last for YEARS in a headphone amp.
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ah, yay for different tubes with nearly the same number. So this Russian model is more of a standard dual triode instead of the odd driver-output combo of the 6N6G tube?
 
It's the little dot MK IV or 4
THe better tubes are 6H30 or 6H30P-DR supertube the M8100,EF95,5654,
Are these good audio tubes?
 
I have one of the earlier Little Dot Mk IV SE Models. In fact it was part of the first prototype runs. It is a great headphone amp and I have not regretted purchasing it.
The SE was the upgraded model and came upgraded with two of the Electro-Harmonix 6H30Pi Gold Series tubes (about $28 each) and two of the Western Electric 403B. I tried a few other tube combos but found these upgraded stock tubes the best for me (after burn-in)
Some other tubes you can use are the Sovitek 630Pi (about $22), or as you mentioned the ultimate 6H30P-DR Supertube ($160 each). The Supertube is overkill in this application IMHO. There are some other substitutes out there but I don’t have my notes with me now.
The MK.IV is a great headphone amp but be aware that they have offered different tube packages during the manufacturing run of this amp so if you plan to buy new or used check out what package it uses before you buy spare tubes. The different tube packages may not be interchangeable with each other.
The Mk.II and Mk.III series were also good amps with a loyal following, but tended to run quite hot. The Mk.IV series solved that and offered other all around improvements that made them even better.
I can’t offer any suggestions for any other amps since I have not been in the market for one since I got mine.
One source for these tubes is The Tube Store http://thetubestore.com/
 
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Thanks,Jim it's nice to hear from someone who has one.I am still on the fence but am leaning towards getting one.
 
I went with the little Dot MKII,I upgraded the tubes to mullard M8100's and 6V6's,I also bought a compleate replacement set of the same tubes.I'm told these last nearly forever in this improved amp.It won't ship till at least the 30th because David the well known ebay seller is out of the country till then.He chose this amp -tube combo for my Grado 325i headphones.I can't wait to hear it.The MKII dosent get nearly as hot as the LDII++ .Later I will upgrade the caps in it.
 
Congratulations. I know you can hardly wait to get it. They are usually pretty fast with their shipping and bend over backwards to provide good customer service.
I suggest you visit their forum if you have not already
http://www.little-tube.com/forum/category-view.asp
Also I would suggest downloading their Technical Guide for the MK.II while you are waiting for it to arrive. It can be a little hard to locate on their forum so look for the small link that says “Attachments” just below the first set of pictures here
http://www.little-tube.com/forum/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=161&posts=1#M742

Looks like your MK.II is their latest version of the popular II series. Glad to see they keep improving on an already good amp.
Good choice on tubes. May I also suggest the Western Electric WE403B. Not too expensive, worth a roll since they are supposed to sound good.
 
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