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| Headphone Amps (full-size) Discussion of desktop headphone amps. |
04-01-2008, 02:40 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,262
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hendry
so the stock power tube is good enough, right ? if change with 6H30PI, it will be change the amp character ?
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The stock power tubes (6H6N-PI) are excellent! I used these for all of the impressions in my review. If the mod is done for the 6H30 series, you can't use the originals anymore. The 6H30 series will change the default sound of the amp, so I would give all possible consideration to the default power tubes before exploring the mod.
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04-01-2008, 07:49 PM
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Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sioux City, IA
Posts: 67
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Thanx for this amazing review, you've pretty much made my mind up on my first amp. 
-Chris-
__________________
I have nothing.
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04-02-2008, 01:10 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 416
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Just received my LD MK III, unfortunately there's trouble... Here's the note I just sent off to Alex:
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Hi Alex -
Just received my MK III in the mail. Everything in the box appears ok, except when I set it up and had a listen, the left channel is almost silent. When the volume is turned up, there is some sound from the left, but it is 85 - 90 percent less output than the right channel. The right channel is loud and clear.
I have switched cables, headphones, sources (CD Player, Computers), etc. the trouble is definitely inside the MK III. I also tried switching the tubes back and forth, the problem with the left channel is the same regardless of tube placement.
What should I do?
Jeff
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I sure hope this won't turn into a pain in the butt. I'd hate to have to send it back without a replacement first, and I certainly hope I'm not charged shipping. Does anyone have any service history with this company?
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04-02-2008, 01:40 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 416
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Uhhh, Belay that... Not five minutes after I sent the first mail, I received this response:
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Hello,
Hmm that's quite unfortunate! We'll go ahead and send you a replacement Little Dot MK III immediately. Please hold onto your current one until you receive the replacement. I apologize for the inconvenience, and please let me know if you have any questions!
Best Regards,
David
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So far, so good!
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04-02-2008, 02:16 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,262
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oatmeal769
Uhhh, Belay that... Not five minutes after I sent the first mail, I received this response:
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Hello,
Hmm that's quite unfortunate! We'll go ahead and send you a replacement Little Dot MK III immediately. Please hold onto your current one until you receive the replacement. I apologize for the inconvenience, and please let me know if you have any questions!
Best Regards,
David
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So far, so good!
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Customer Service at it's finest! But, who is Alex?? 
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04-02-2008, 03:00 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 416
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum
... But, who is Alex?? |
LOL, I don't know why I called David that...
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04-02-2008, 12:22 PM
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Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: canada, ontario
Posts: 74
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I would also like to point out that David was also very fast in responding and correcting to my own blunder of putting down the wrong postal code...I don't know what I was thinking...
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04-02-2008, 01:26 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 361
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Funny, I bought my LD MKIII before reading this fantastic review... At that time, it took me at least one hour to make my decision. After reading your review Penchum, I think it would have taken about 2 minutes.
I mostly listen to my tuner through the LDMKIII, out of my AKG501, and I love that sound, very analog as your described. It is also my first tube-amp, and I am so impressed with its liquid like midrange. But the soundstage is definitely terrific too.
I am just dreaming of moving on to a full tube amp for my main system (Illusion + Stax SR-303)...
Still, I have a doubt about the DIP gain switches on the bottom of the amp. There are 2 holes. If I understand properly, they are simetrical. It means that to set up gain to 5, I need to have both switches 1 to ON, and both switches 2 to OFF. Is that right ¿?
Thanks
BTW, this amp looks also so great and sexy to my eyes...
Last edited by shamu144; 04-02-2008 at 01:30 PM.
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04-03-2008, 09:09 PM
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Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 83
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I got my MK III today, quick as ever.
I know most of you already know what it looks like, but here are some pics anyway.
I'm using the MK III with my HD 650 at the moment.
The MK V is burning in the HFI 780.
Tubes by night, got to love it.
So now it's burn in time.
After that maybe some tube rolling.
__________________
Portable:
Headphones: Shure e4c, V-moda vibes, PX100, ATH-ES7
Source: iPod Classic 80, iAudio X5L
Amp: Headstage Lyrix Pro USB total
Cables: Microshar LOD, Cardas mini to mini
Home:
Headphones: HD 650 Blue Dragon, HFI 780 S2, MS-1, AKG K701, AKG K240 LP.
Source: PC, soundcard coax out.
Foobar 2000,Asio4all,Squeezebox Duet
Amp: LD MKV, LD MK III,
Dac: Beresford TC-7510, ZERO
Cables: BlueJeans IC RCA
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04-04-2008, 02:15 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,262
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Excellent Combo!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rpveld
I got my MK III today, quick as ever.
I know most of you already know what it looks like, but here are some pics anyway.
I'm using the MK III with my HD 650 at the moment.
The MK V is burning in the HFI 780.
Tubes by night, got to love it.
So now it's burn in time.
After that maybe some tube rolling. |
Hats off to you rpveld! For some reason, the MKIII stacked on top of the MKV makes for the perfect proportions! I've already moved my MKIII over to sit on top of my MKV. It looks so good this way!!! Thanks!!!!
I also subscribe to having a great SS amp and a great tube amp! It's a winning combination for sure! If you pick up a pair of HD-580's to mod, let me know! I can help you out.
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04-04-2008, 02:20 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,262
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shamu144
Funny, I bought my LD MKIII before reading this fantastic review... At that time, it took me at least one hour to make my decision. After reading your review Penchum, I think it would have taken about 2 minutes.
I mostly listen to my tuner through the LDMKIII, out of my AKG501, and I love that sound, very analog as your described. It is also my first tube-amp, and I am so impressed with its liquid like midrange. But the soundstage is definitely terrific too.
I am just dreaming of moving on to a full tube amp for my main system (Illusion + Stax SR-303)...
Still, I have a doubt about the DIP gain switches on the bottom of the amp. There are 2 holes. If I understand properly, they are simetrical. It means that to set up gain to 5, I need to have both switches 1 to ON, and both switches 2 to OFF. Is that right ¿?
Thanks
BTW, this amp looks also so great and sexy to my eyes...
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Thanks for the kind words. It is a nice looking amp for sure!
Think of each bank of dip switches as a channel, one left, one right.
If it calls for one off and one on, then do this to both channels (banks).
Have a good one!!
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04-04-2008, 09:06 AM
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Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum
Hats off to you rpveld! For some reason, the MKIII stacked on top of the MKV makes for the perfect proportions! I've already moved my MKIII over to sit on top of my MKV. It looks so good this way!!! Thanks!!!! |
Well thank you Penchum, yes I am a artist. 
It was purely coincidental, I didn’t know where to put it, so on top of the MK V seemed the most logical place. 
I do agree with you on the way it looks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum
I also subscribe to having a great SS amp and a great tube amp! It's a winning combination for sure! If you pick up a pair of HD-580's to mod, let me know! I can help you out. |
Now, I’m not sure I follow you here, could you please elaborate on that?
Does this mean I have to buy yet another set of Head Phones? And then I have to mod them?
If that is the case, I sure need your help….. to explain to my wife why this is absolutely necessary.
Now, my wife is a very understanding person and I’m sure that, in due time and with the right argumentation, you might succeed. 
But seriously, I don’t know what you mean. I probably missed something.
Please explain why I should get a HD 580 and what mod should be done.
There is a sale going on for HD 580’s on Ebay, so it is possible.
Thanks
__________________
Portable:
Headphones: Shure e4c, V-moda vibes, PX100, ATH-ES7
Source: iPod Classic 80, iAudio X5L
Amp: Headstage Lyrix Pro USB total
Cables: Microshar LOD, Cardas mini to mini
Home:
Headphones: HD 650 Blue Dragon, HFI 780 S2, MS-1, AKG K701, AKG K240 LP.
Source: PC, soundcard coax out.
Foobar 2000,Asio4all,Squeezebox Duet
Amp: LD MKV, LD MK III,
Dac: Beresford TC-7510, ZERO
Cables: BlueJeans IC RCA
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04-04-2008, 12:00 PM
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Junior Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Metrowest area, MA
Posts: 20
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Very happy with my MKIII! Looking to explore different tubes soon, maybe Mullards.
One question though - I don't use the preamp out. Should I get RCA caps for the output?
__________________
Marantz SACD/DVD + Yamaha 24/192 Firewire Interface + The Mod Squad Line Drive passive pre + LD MKIII + Grado SR325i + Grado SR80
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04-04-2008, 12:09 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 2,856
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Quote:
Originally Posted by absolutlemur
Very happy with my MKIII! Looking to explore different tubes soon, maybe Mullards.
One question though - I don't use the preamp out. Should I get RCA caps for the output?
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Mullards are always a safe bet especially the mil-spec versions with logos printed on, I would probably save up to experiment with different upgrade tubes than spend money on RCA caps, I've never heard of reports of the RCA caps actually improving or changing the sound quality in anyway.
- DoA
__________________
“I know I ask perfection of a quite imperfect world, and fool enough to think that’s what I’ll find.” – The Carpenters
Transport: ________________DC:
__Toshiba SD-3950____ -→ ____ Canare LV-77S ↘
Source : _ Transit : __ DC : ___ DAC : __ IC : _____________ Amp : __ Headphone :
__WinAmp ASIO → M-Audio Transit → Sys. Concept → Entech Number → Blue Jeans Cable → Little Dot II++ (v2) → Sennheiser HD650
_____________________________________ Premium Toslink Cruncher 203.2 _ Belden 1694A
FS: HeadRoom MAX amp with MAX DAC $2750 OBO
FS: Sennheiser HD650 + Cardas Upgrade Cable + HeadRoom Headphone Bag
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04-04-2008, 02:09 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 416
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rpveld
Please explain why I should get a HD 580 and what mod should be done.
There is a sale going on for HD 580’s on Ebay, so it is possible.
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I think he means that one may add the HD600 grilles to the phones and make them identical to the HD600. - At least that's what I've read.
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