My impressions of Little Dot II+ vs. SOHA
Mar 3, 2008 at 9:30 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 6

strangedaze39

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I just received a SOHA in the mail from my buddy "sacd lover" here on head-fi. Very nicely built in a sexy hammond case. My previous amp I had been using was my Little Dot II+, I wanted to put them head to head.

Headphones used are Sens HD650, and soon I'll test out my SR-225's and SR-80's. My source goes, Mac Leopard FLAC Lossless>Oritek V4>AMP>HP's

[size=small]Power:[/size]
Initially I noticed the SOHA had more power then the LD II+, purely speaking volume and force behind it. The volume difference is about a is just a little less then a 1/4 knob turn (probably not the most accurate comparison but thought someone might want to know)

[size=small]Clarity and Sound:[/size]
It's not a huge difference but hands down the SOHA has more clarity all around. The SOHA also has a better bass impact. As for warmth, both amps have a warm feel and at sometimes I think the LDII+ is a bit to warm. It's a matter of personal taste but I found the LDII+ is warmer.

The biggest difference which makes me enjoy the SOHA more then the LDII+. The LDII+ sounds congested, and a tad muddle. The SOHA is a lot less congested and sounds a lot more airy coming from the LDII+.

[size=small]Couple song comparisons:[/size]
Fleetwood Mac- Dreams
SOHA- Drums: Sound great, good impact. Vocals: Very good a tad flat Overall: Sounds really good although it's a hard song to screw up
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LDII+ - Drums: Alright not impressive, not a lot of impact. Vocals: Sound pretty dang flat on highs. Overall: Mids totally overshadow highs and lows sorry
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Dr. Dre- Lil ghetto boy (not a big rap fan but like to use in comparisons)
SOHA -Bass: Tight again has a good impact. Others: Rapping sounds good nothing special, the sound right at the beginning of a burning cigarette being inhaled
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sounds really nice almost like someone actually is inhaling a cigarette and waking from one ear to your front then the other ear (gross I know, thank god it's only a song
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)

LDII+ - Bass: Sounds alright. Others: Rapping vocals sound flatter (not much depth) Again the burning cigarette in the beginning is an excellent effect.

[size=small]Conclusion:[/size]
Ok I know you might be thinking I'm biased or something but I did this review honestly and side by side with the same headphones with no break in between listening and I'm not biased one bit.
It could be personal taste, I think the LDII+ sounds congested and mids are overpowering. I wouldn't recommend selling you LDII+ to get a SOHA IF your satisfied with your LDII+. The differences are there but not night and day.

Sorry if I have a couple typo's or anything was unclear, If you have any questions let know and I would be glad to do what I can. Thanks for reading.
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BTW I'm not a reviewer that's heard even 1/10 of the amps out there. Wish I have though
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Mar 4, 2008 at 12:15 AM Post #2 of 6
The tube options are great too.

What tubes are you using? the opamp also makes big difference. So far im finding dual 627 on adapter to be one of the best combos, but havent tried discrete buffer. Take out the output resister and jump it with some good wires. I did find difference when I used a regular wire and silver wire.
 
Mar 8, 2008 at 12:23 PM Post #3 of 6
Wait until you try grados on your SOHA.
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Mar 8, 2008 at 12:28 PM Post #4 of 6
Quote:

Originally Posted by keyid /img/forum/go_quote.gif
The tube options are great too.

What tubes are you using? the opamp also makes big difference. So far im finding dual 627 on adapter to be one of the best combos, but havent tried discrete buffer. Take out the output resister and jump it with some good wires. I did find difference when I used a regular wire and silver wire.




Try swapping out power cords. That makes a difference too. I am using a jellyfish power cord in mine.
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Also, I am using an Amperex orange globe from the 70's made by mullard that sounds great.
 
Mar 8, 2008 at 2:46 PM Post #5 of 6
im finding telefunken smooth plates mates extremely well with the 225, better then my amprex 7316 on my setup. Highly musical and lots of spacious air maybe little light but im only listening low volume at the moment. Its the cleanest no harshness and treble / mids are very clean.
 
Mar 8, 2008 at 2:57 PM Post #6 of 6
You gotta love tuberolling.
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