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Review of the Little-Dot MKIII Tube Headphone Amp/Pre-Amp - Page 7

post #91 of 471
4/10/08 at 8:08am
Yeah, not much to figure out back there. One set of inputs (left side on the back view), one pr of outputs, power cord connector, on/off switch and fuse cap.

Their listings state:

Available in either 120VAC or 220VAC

Contact:

Little.tube@gmail.com

just send David an email and you're off and running!

E
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post #92 of 471
4/10/08 at 11:40am
OK, I just ordered one from Dave. I read all the reviews out there for this amp and I found your review the most detailed and elaborate. Thanks.
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post #93 of 471
4/10/08 at 1:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rpveld View Post
Very considerate of you Penchum, I told him it's ok.
Thanks rp, I appreciate it.
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post #94 of 471
4/14/08 at 10:24pm
So, I just received my replacement MK III which works perfectly. No questions asked, and very fast!
My testimonial is that this company is first rate! David was genuinely concerned and has gone above and beyond good service, especially with shipping rates being so high. A+ !
Quote:
Originally Posted by oatmeal769 View Post
Just received my LD MK III, unfortunately there's trouble... Here's the note I just sent off to (sic) David:
----------------------------------
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?
----------------------------------
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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post #95 of 471
4/14/08 at 10:33pm
Like I said, I finally just got my MK III. It's just great!
The first thing that grabbed me was of course the tube warmth, but also the sound stage was greatly enhanced, and the extension of lows is really nice. It is 'shifty' like Penchum said, - I can tell the tubes are brand new, but so far it's everything I had hoped! For $200 plus shipping, it's a steal!
I can't wait for the increased depth of the lows and shimmering highs as I break this thing in. - Not to mention the old Tung-Sol's I have waiting.
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post #96 of 471
4/14/08 at 10:40pm
Mine just shipped. I can't wait for it to get here.
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post #97 of 471
4/14/08 at 10:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by oatmeal769 View Post
So, I just received my replacement MK III which works perfectly. No questions asked, and very fast!
My testimonial is that this company is first rate! David was genuinely concerned and has gone above and beyond good service, especially with shipping rates being so high. A+ !
Quote:
Originally Posted by oatmeal769 View Post
Like I said, I finally just got my MK III. It's just great!
The first thing that grabbed me was of course the tube warmth, but also the sound stage was greatly enhanced, and the extension of lows is really nice. It is 'shifty' like Penchum said, - I can tell the tubes are brand new, but so far it's everything I had hoped! For $200 plus shipping, it's a steal!
I can't wait for the increased depth of the lows and shimmering highs as I break this thing in. - Not to mention the old Tung-Sol's I have waiting.
Man, that is great news!
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post #98 of 471
4/14/08 at 11:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by batmanwcm View Post
My just shipped. I can't wait for it to get here.
It'll be there quicker than you think... Mine shipped Friday, and I have it.
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post #99 of 471
4/17/08 at 12:54pm
I just received the MKIII. Shipping was fast. I ordered it on Thursday and received it on the following Thursday.

The problem is that one of the larger power tubes is dead so 1 channel doesn't output any sound. Overall the sound is low even when I crank it up past the 12 o'clock position. I have the gain set to 3 for my Alessandro MS1's.

I already emailed Dave at Little Dot and he responded immediately sending me out a replacement. Good service on his part.
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post #100 of 471
4/17/08 at 1:30pm
I ordered mine last Wednesday and it got to Vancouver on Tuesday night but it's been sitting with customs ever since. Hope it's just the tracking info that's lagging and that I'll get it today or tomorrow.
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post #101 of 471
4/17/08 at 6:13pm
That shipping really is fast. Had mine a few days. Pretty much the same impression as others. Great. 10hrs in and the sound, especially low punch of the drums in S&M has started to clean up nicly. First headphone amp Ive had and loving it.
Now into the endless trap of tube rolling and getting a decent source(hopefully reasonably cheaply).
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post #102 of 471
4/17/08 at 6:49pm
I'm 45 hours in and can report much the same. Depth and tightness of bass is improved, and clarity / soundstage is much less fuzzy. I can't wait to hear it tonight after work.
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post #103 of 471
4/17/08 at 7:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by oatmeal769 View Post
I'm 45 hours in and can report much the same. Depth and tightness of bass is improved, and clarity / soundstage is much less fuzzy. I can't wait to hear it tonight after work.
That is good to hear. I received mine yesterday--first tube audio gear. I do love those warm mids, and the highs on my Grados seemed tamer, but the bass is a little flabby. I've only got around 10 hours of burn in, so I can't tell any improvement yet. It still sounds very good for the price, and I must admit I'm a bit smitten by those glowing tubes. Lovely, really!!
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post #104 of 471
4/22/08 at 1:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimSmiley View Post
That is good to hear. I received mine yesterday--first tube audio gear. I do love those warm mids, and the highs on my Grados seemed tamer, but the bass is a little flabby. I've only got around 10 hours of burn in, so I can't tell any improvement yet. It still sounds very good for the price, and I must admit I'm a bit smitten by those glowing tubes. Lovely, really!!
I finally got mine yesterday and I second that. The glowing tubes are really nice for bedtime listening and it doesn't run nearly as hot as I thought it would be. I got maybe 15 hours on it and there is still a narrowness to the sound but I feel it getting better every listening session.

Also I got a few noob questions:

a) I have one power tube that seems to be glowing stronger than the other and it also has a much bigger burn mark on top of it than the other. Is that normal or is there some imbalance going on? I haven't tried switching them around.

b) Can I switch between headphones while the unit is powered on and should I turn the volume knob to neutral when doing so?
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post #105 of 471
4/22/08 at 3:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike_TNT View Post
Also I got a few noob questions:

a) I have one power tube that seems to be glowing stronger than the other and it also has a much bigger burn mark on top of it than the other. Is that normal or is there some imbalance going on? I haven't tried switching them around.

b) Can I switch between headphones while the unit is powered on and should I turn the volume knob to neutral when doing so?
a) Normal / of no concern. LD matches the tubes electrically, glow brightness is not an indicator of balance or imbalance. The "burn mark" is called silvering, on the top of the tube. It's stuff they coat the inside with during manufacture. There's always variation.

b) Best practice is to turn off the amp when switching phones, waiting a few minutes, then proceeding. this might be overly cautious, but always do this when switching tubes, installing the jumpers, switching gain settings, or unpluging RCA's. Standard phono plug design is not very well conceived, but we're stuck with it. As the plug is removed or inserted, the circuit shorts +/- , which is pretty harsh on tubes and caps etc. Be kind to your new baby
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