Review of the Little-Dot MK1 Portable Headphone Amplifier - Page 11

Just slightly off topic. LDMKI vs. C&C F1 sound

I guess nobody read the posts that I put up. Anyway I am both a head-fi and audiophile. Comparing from the number of amps of have, I have come to the conclusion that after over 300-hours racked up with the Little Dot MKI, the sound stage, quality with the HD650, HD280, ATH-W1000, and the K501, is astounding. Excellent channel separation and depth overall with a slight tube-like quality for a solid-state portable amplifier. I really love the audio quality and presence when listening La Traviata with Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti.
I own the Little Dot MKI, C&C Box+, C&C XO, C&C F1, and the Xin Reference with the 15000uf cap. The character of the LDMKI is somewhat better than both the Reference and the XO and with a very smooth rolling of frequencies. The other part with the MKI is the fact that it is a simple portable amp with one thing in mind, which is audiophile in your head nirvana. As for the C&C F1, however, this amp will give the LDMKI a run for its money especially when driving headphones lower than 150-ohms.

Sound-stage with the F1 is somewhat more expansive than with the stock op-amp fitted in the LDMKI (by the way I have ordered the LT1364 based on original reviewer's recommendation). The F1 is a four-channel type amp using the AD822x4-buffers (after asking a friend to scratch off the epoxy goo on the amp chip) with both a gain switch and sound-field enhancer (aside from the gain, the SF switch is never used for any reason). I have to say the sound character with the F1 is much more different than with MKI.

For one thing the clarity of the vocals and instruments are more precise in the stereo space between the left and right ear. The sound-stage is very three-dimensional, however the warmth is not quite there since this amp was specifically designed for use with earphones, IEMs, and headphones with an impedance of less than 150-ohms. I have used the HD650 with this amp and to my surprise, the F1 can actually drive the 300-ohm headphones with roughly the same authority as the LDMKI can (the F1 is designed to drive up to 300-ohm loads with the 10000uf cap installed). Sonic clarity is the better word I would describe the F1 while the Little Dot MKI is audiophile bliss.

That said, hopefully I will have some suggestions from fellow forum post members about this site and audio considerations. Plus I will later on post a detailed review of coupling the MKI and or the F1 with my recent purchase of the JVC-Victor HP-AL1000 clip-on earphone. I still own the ATH-ew9 and to this day think that with the proper amp, the audio character will be close the favorite KOSS KSC75 (I think it is this one, correct me if I am wrong). Until then , THKS

Adding to the impressions

Just to clarify, the AD822 is the op-amp with 4-separate buffers. As for the buffers, I have no idea what they are since if I remove anymore of the tape used to insulate from the bottom of the chassis, it will clearly ruin the amp. The large cap is for additional power reserve since the F1 uses a 3.7-VDC Lithium Ion battery pack. The cap adds additional power reserve and linear response somewhat like the Xin Reference. Check the headb website.

Just to follow response, since patience is a virtue, once the op-amp upgrade arrives, I will install it and provide a response. I know that this little amp will stand the test of time like some of the older equipment of ancient times. I will probably used both the HD650 and HD280 to compare with in sonic signature with my benchmark headphone, the Sennheiser HE/BE90 Orpheus.

Until then, thanks.

NOTE: The C&C F1 has a power cap to both provide clean power reserves to supply the power transistors (based on my EE-friend of mine) and provide linear response. As for the output current, it is slightly less than what is provided with the C&C Box+.

Finally ordered my LT1364 op amps even though I've been thoroughly enjoying the (bog standard) Mk1 with a rockbox'd Ipod Nano v1 and Senn HD-580 headphones.

You probably should measure the DC offset voltage on the outputs after installing the LT1364, since the Mk1 wasn't designed for a high input bias current opamp like it. If it were my amp and phones I'd definitely do it.

Really? Many Mk1 owners have put the LT1364 in their amps without problems, I've had a quick read through this thread and that hasn't come up before now.

Ah, that explains it, thought there was something fishy going on. Thanks. /phew

editOrdered the op-amp on the 18th May and they arrived this morning! Lovely, now to pluck up the nerve to open up the case and mod this dude.

Listen to Penchum - LT1364 truly amazing MKI

I remember the detail nuances that the MK-I has prior to op-amp change. Good bass definition, neutral mid-ranges, and a smooth roll toward the high-frequency band. Sonically transparent even with the overly detailed HD280. Since this is the headphone that I used for most of my out of home listening, I will give you a fellow head-fier's a clean and simple.

Penchum was correct in using this op-amp in every single aspect. The sonic signature has improved to a significant degree. The high to mid range transistion is exceptionally smooth with clean and linear low-frequency response. I thought that nirvana with MK-I was reached, now it seems that my head is in Heaven with the LT1364 in the MK-I. The music reaches new heights that now it is fully on-par with the BE/HEV90 Orpheus. The Orpheus has excellent sonic character with a tube-like quality behind it. Very smooth and warm (and somewhat dark) is what I would characterize the Orpheus, however the change with the MK-I, smooth and warm with an increase in overall definition. The harshness has been completely removed and replaced with a sense of warmth that was not previously been heard of when used with the LM-4562. Don't get me wrong, the LDMK-I actually amplifies the music transparently with a slight bit of harshness, however overall very good to listen to over extended periods of time.

However once I switched out the op-amp with the LT1364, the smile on my face turned to a flat out wide mouth grin. . This change will actually make any audiophile (headphile) setup shine and this upgrade is not that costly in overall aspect of the world of audio. The soundstage is widened to the extent that I no longer hear the music from the headphones, but rather out there in space in a near 360-degree reality. Transparent without any of the original harshness so listening pleasure will be further heightened.

Give me two-days, and I will give a more detailed feeling about this upgrade.

Thanks again Penchum

YKL

Hello Spookygonk, do you mind telling us where you ordered the op-amps from?

Just been checking out Farnell and they have a 'minimum' order requirement.

Bought some other op-amps from them recently but had to buy odd items that I did not want just to bring the order up to the minimum requirement.

Harryo

I got one for fun. It's giving my Pedator a scare. More weight. More guts. Much heavier though.

I got mine from Linear Technology as free samples. Created an account and set myself up as a student with my company as "home" and they posted them out (with a UK postmark, I might add). When I get a bit of spare time next week I'll swap it over., however, tThis does mean I'll have to tear myself away from listening to it with my Ipod Nano mk1 running Rockbox and FLAC for a while.

(see also post 31 in this thread).

HTH

Thanks for the info. Will give it a try!

Cheers - Harryo