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Review of the Little-Dot MKII Tube Headphone Amp/Pre-Amp - Page 5

post #61 of 438
1/20/08 at 9:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum View Post
I agree with the seller DoA has pointed out. He usually has a great selection and his tubes are the best quality I have seen on ebay so far.
Thanks Penchum, you mentioned him a while ago and I took your advice and bought some tubes from him and they're great! Man, tube rolling is so much fun. I'm curious about which of his current tubes would you recommend?
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post #62 of 438
1/20/08 at 11:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Danika k View Post
Thanks Penchum, you mentioned him a while ago and I took your advice and bought some tubes from him and they're great! Man, tube rolling is so much fun. I'm curious about which of his current tubes would you recommend?
The GE 5 stars would be nice, also the Amperex. Both of these have excellent properties.
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post #63 of 438
1/21/08 at 12:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum View Post
The GE 5 stars would be nice, also the Amperex. Both of these have excellent properties.
What Penchum said. I also have a pair of National 403B's and they sound gorgeous, better than the more common Western Electric 403B's in my opinion. I believe they're actually Tung-Sol made tubes branded by National, IIRC. The price seems quite reasonable too considering that it's a NOS matched pair in original boxes and all. It's hard to find 403B's in good condition these days and most of the time 403B's come individually, grossly unbalanced, and are pretty banged up in my experience (learned the hard way from buying from some shady dealers).
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post #64 of 438
1/23/08 at 3:19am

Got Mine Today!! 2008-01-22 12:15PM PDT

I've been burning/breaking it in since, 12:30~12:45 PM. AV-710 HQ Alt Out, v4.73b Drivers, OEM mini to Stereo RCA cable, OEM 1/4" Adapter, SR80's, Default Gain, Volume @ 30/100.

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post #65 of 438
1/23/08 at 3:30am
I find the sound coming out of my headphones being sibilant after using the amp...

Would a change in tubes help (using the stock ones) or should i be looking for a new headphone?

Currently on iPod>mini-RCA>LDMk2>MS1
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post #66 of 438
1/23/08 at 3:40am
Anyone else's MKII feel very warm to the touch? not HOT..but very warm, top of the case.

Also should I clean the tubes with something to get rid of any finger prints? Of course I'll let the tubes cool before cleaning.
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post #67 of 438
1/23/08 at 3:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joshatdot View Post
Anyone else's MKII feel very warm to the touch? not HOT..but very warm, top of the case.

Also should I clean the tubes with something to get rid of any finger prints? Of course I'll let the tubes cool before cleaning.
I think that's normal. Can't remember where i read it but is the case supposed to act like a "giant heat-sink"?

Mine is fairly warm to the touch everywhere except the plastic knob.

I use one of those LCD screen cleaning clothes to wipe off prints on both the glossy casing and the tubes. Works well enough.
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post #68 of 438
1/23/08 at 4:25am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by doubletaps View Post
I find the sound coming out of my headphones being sibilant after using the amp...

Would a change in tubes help (using the stock ones) or should i be looking for a new headphone?

Currently on iPod>mini-RCA>LDMk2>MS1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joshatdot View Post
Anyone else's MKII feel very warm to the touch? not HOT..but very warm, top of the case.

Also should I clean the tubes with something to get rid of any finger prints? Of course I'll let the tubes cool before cleaning.
Sounds like you just need some more hours on the amp and tubes. 45-60 brings about most noticeable changes, 100-125 and you'll top out. Yes, the case and transformer housing will get warm, this means it is actually cooling. When the tubes are cold, even glass cleaner will do the trick, just be careful not to wipe off the lettering, or you will have a hard time remembering which tube is which! I looked back at my notes, and the stock tubes did take almost 55 hrs to open up and sound better. But, the question still is valid. Yes, premium tubes will blow your mind. It works out pretty good if you can spend time with the defaults now, while tubes you order or win, are on their way too you. Have fun!
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post #69 of 438
1/23/08 at 4:28am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joshatdot View Post
I've been burning/breaking it in since, 12:30~12:45 PM. AV-710 HQ Alt Out, v4.73b Drivers, OEM mini to Stereo RCA cable, OEM 1/4" Adapter, SR80's, Default Gain, Volume @ 30/100.
Nice Pic!!
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post #70 of 438
1/23/08 at 4:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum View Post
Nice Pic!!
Thanks I also got my Canon A570 IS in the mail today too! Today is a good day!

As they were breaking in, I went shopping and got a Sandisk 4GB SDHC for $30 and a Case Logic for $10 at Office Depot.
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post #71 of 438
1/23/08 at 5:49am
Hey Penchum, exactly what cables came with the Mk II? I need to know if I have to buy an RCA-RCA cable to connect it to my Beresford or if it comes with one. Thanks!
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post #72 of 438
1/23/08 at 6:22am
^^^

I am not Penchum but...

It comes with RCA-RCA cables.
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post #73 of 438
1/23/08 at 6:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum View Post
Yes, premium tubes will blow your mind.
Would the difference be like night and day?

Tube rolling doesn't seem to hurt both ways thou, looks like i have to start my hunt.
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post #74 of 438
1/23/08 at 7:58am
Mine came with a mini to RCA cable
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post #75 of 438
1/23/08 at 8:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by doubletaps View Post
^^^

I am not Penchum but...

It comes with RCA-RCA cables.
I am not Penchum either but I just want to say that the RCA-RCA cables the LDs came with are actually of pretty good quality. I would say retail for those cables in the US would probably be worth $10. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw them since I was expecting some cheap freebies, it's a nice touch.
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