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TubeMagic A1 or Little Dot III

post #1 of 7
11/29/10 at 4:51pm
Thread Starter 

  TubeMagic A1 or Little Dot III?

 

    Now that the TubeMagic A1 has been out for a while now maybe some Head-fiers can advise me ... which might be a better purchase for headphone only use? The amp I buy will be paired with a Grant Fidelity Dac-09.

 

My headphones are as follows ( I will probably be using the DT990Pro the most):

 

 

Koss UR40                         60 ohm      98 dB SPL/1mW

ATH-AD700                        32 ohms     98 dB/mW at 1 kHz

Sennheiser HD-202             32 ohms      115 dB SPL @ 1 kHz

AKG Acoustics K-240         55ohms      91 dB/mW, 104 dB/V

Beyerdynamics DT990Pro    250ohms    96 db

 

    Thanks in advance.   darthsmile.gif

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post #2 of 7
11/29/10 at 11:06pm

I highly recommend the A1 (specifically for the Beyer DT990's).  I use it with my DT880's and the combo is simply amazing.  From what I remember your DAC is similar to the Mav D1, so it'll also be guaranteed to have great synergy.  

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post #3 of 7
11/30/10 at 9:38am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the info Mysteek!

 

   I was leaning towards the Little Dot III and now u have confused the issue  ... LOL ... and yes the

Dac-09 is the twin brother or sister of the Mav D1 ... they are clones  ... so u do make a great point !

 

   But the visual style of the Little Dot III ... glowing tubes and all is very seductive .. I am a visual artist

so such things are important ... and the reviews are almost universally positive ... so its not just a question

of style or substance ... nice to be able to play like this ... toys for adults !
 

   I wont be making my decision for another two or three weeks so ill have time to

mull this over ... but I have an idea I will be very happy with which ever amp i choose ...

because  I love music !

 

            To be continued ...

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post #4 of 7
12/2/10 at 11:04am
Thread Starter 

  I am now leaning to the Little Dot III because of their warranty and shipping policy ... since i live in North America this whole shipping and warranty issue is an important parameter in my decision making process. In an ideal world the amp I buy will operate perfectly and not require any warranty work ... but as we all know things don't always turn out the way we wish. So if the following information is accurate and I am comparing apples to apples its the Little Dot III for me.

 

Little Dot Policy: "If on the chance a functional problem arises within the first 3 months (we've found that if issues occur, the vast majority crop up within the first month or two) of your warranty period and you send it back to us for repair, we will reimburse you the full return shipping amount once we receive it so there is absolutely no out-of-pocket cost to you!"

 

http://littledot.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=442&sid=fabe8299f5ca0b45ce31c590c0c2a64a

 

Maverick Audio Policy: "Shipping, Express Shipping, Handling, Insurance and other fees are NON-REFUNDABLE."

 

http://www.mav-audio.com/base/buy_now/safe-shopping-policy


Edited by dancingpotato - 12/2/10 at 11:06am
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post #5 of 7
12/3/10 at 10:40pm

I have actually had minor problems with my D1 Dac and emailed Ryan from Maverick Audio and he treated me as if I was a king.  I didn't even need to send anything back, he simply sent me new upgraded tubes after about 2 emails to determine the issue (channel imbalance), I didn't pay a cent nor did I need to send my unit back.  Furthermore, he knew very well that I wasn't the original purchaser of the D1 unit.  I was astonished at the level of customer service given that I didn't even purchase from him directly (it was from another head-fi member).  To be honest I think you'll be happy with either option, I just happen to stand behind Maverick Audio because I've never received such great customer service from any company before.  I think Ryan really does try his best to please customers.  Shipping is $20, but it arrives in North America from China in 2 days usually.  

 

In short, you can't go wrong.  I think Little Dot is more popular, but that's because Maverick Audio is very, very new.  

 


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by dancingpotato View Post

  I am now leaning to the Little Dot III because of their warranty and shipping policy ... since i live in North America this whole shipping and warranty issue is an important parameter in my decision making process. In an ideal world the amp I buy will operate perfectly and not require any warranty work ... but as we all know things don't always turn out the way we wish. So if the following information is accurate and I am comparing apples to apples its the Little Dot III for me.

 

Little Dot Policy: "If on the chance a functional problem arises within the first 3 months (we've found that if issues occur, the vast majority crop up within the first month or two) of your warranty period and you send it back to us for repair, we will reimburse you the full return shipping amount once we receive it so there is absolutely no out-of-pocket cost to you!"

 

http://littledot.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=442&sid=fabe8299f5ca0b45ce31c590c0c2a64a

 

Maverick Audio Policy: "Shipping, Express Shipping, Handling, Insurance and other fees are NON-REFUNDABLE."

 

http://www.mav-audio.com/base/buy_now/safe-shopping-policy

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post #6 of 7
12/4/10 at 5:51am

I don't know how it pairs with the DT990, but surprisingly my LD MKIII has done really well with the T1. It also drove my HD650 very well. Definitely a very good value amp and also they do provide very good service (you can email him and he will reply within the day usually)

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post #7 of 7
12/5/10 at 10:16pm
Thread Starter 

   Thank you all for your suggestions and patience ... its fun for me to learn about

this new musical landscape ... BTW I am now also considering the

Mingda Meixing MC84-C07  ... so its a happy competition  ... L3000.gif

 

  My Dac/Amp is in the shop for some tender loving care ... so i wont

make a choice about its new partner until it comes home ... and I can run

some listening tests ... its an arranged marriage  shhhhhhhhhhhhh ! ...

and I am positive it will be very jealous about the new threesome !

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh don't tell please !

 

basshead.gif


Edited by dancingpotato - 12/5/10 at 10:23pm
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