Little Dot Tube Amps: Vacuum Tube Rolling Guide - Page 47

A elementary question that I can't seem to find the answer to,

 

What is the difference between the big tubes in the back and the smaller tubes in the front? Are they just a different family? Does one type effect the sound more?

 

Hi Junkimchi,

 

Small front tubes = Driver tubes, think of a preamp function

Large backside tubes = Power tubes, think of a power amplifier function

 

Although both influence the sound, the driver tubes are considered to have the larger impact.

I just posted a trade post in the for sale forum http://www.head-fi.org/t/649918/little-dot-tubes-mullard-m8083-ef91
I am looking to trade a pair of Mullard M8083 large shield for a pair of Mullard M8161 large shield.
Gary

I haven't tried them, but for sure, the box looks interesting and the price isn't bad. However, I wonder why the seller didn't post a picture of the tube itself? It sure would be nice to have some idea of the build quality compared to these beauties:

 

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/130436695928?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_5393wt_985

Are these tubes the same? If so, the 2nd link is a great price on the Voskhod 6J1 tubes (same as 6ZH1P)

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Voshkod-6ZH1P-EV-Matched-Pair-Little-Dot-Amp-III-IV-/290613497027?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item43a9ea0cc3

VS

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6J1P-EF95-MATCHED-PAIR-tubes-VOSKHOD-Gold-Grid-Year1980-for-Little-Dot-MK-II-3-/130844151721?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item1e76eb4fa9

 

Such a price difference but I'm guessing its because of supply & demand / international vs Arizona?

 

EDIT: Found out that they're the non-extended performance type. Quoted from a post that it's rated at 3,000 hours vs the EV's 5,000 hours. Will report back how they sound are though. 

Edited by junkimchi - 2/7/13 at 11:04am

I got my Voskhods here:

 

2 pc 6J1P-EV (EF95 6F32 6AK7) Gold-Platinum grid! NIB!

 

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/130436695928?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_5393wt_893

 

$15 for a pair including shipping. It took almost 40 days to get to me, but these are wonderful sounding tubes.

My 6N6P-IR tube should be here today finally, can't wait to see how they sound!

FML I just bought 4 sets of tubes

A number of people have recommended that I try some Tung-Sol tubes in my LD 1+, so I ordered a pair each of JTL 6AK5s and 6AJ5s, 1950's vintage. Upon rolling them into my LD, both pairs exhibited a significant ground hum. It is the kind of hum that is of a constant level independent of the volume setting. Has anyone else experienced this? Has anyone found a credible explanation? And should I assume there is no remedy? Thanks in advance!

I have a huge problem! I just received my MKiii, and I hooked it up to my e17 with L7 for line out, I think, and my Q701's have REALLY DISTORTED BASS! It also is distorted on my K240 MKii, and I didn't try my sextetts but I assume it's the same. Why is this, do I need to burn them in to get rid of the distortion? It sounds very boomy, and muddy, not detailed, and does not blend with the music, aka, distorted. Help please thanks guys

Hi,

I am new to the little dot amp and just received an MKii. Thanks all of you for great posts that helped me understand a lot about the amp.

I started tuberolling and accidently bought 6n1p-ev instead of 6j1p-ev. Later i found out that the pin out of the 6n1p-ev are the same as the power tube 6n6p, but with different operating parameter. I tried the 6n1p-ev as the power tube for a short while and they work. Soundwise i cannot comment because i have not tried them long enough.

But to make sure im not putting fire on the MKii, have any of you had experience with the 6n1p-ev? Do you know if they are safe as power tube in the MKii. Many thanks...

Hi DutchGFX, Is there distorted sound from the headphones used via the L7 and also is there distorted sound when connecting the LD directly to the built in sound card of the computer?

Just check that to make sure it is the LD itself giving rise to the distortion and not the combination.

When I received the LD, the sound was muddy and I thought, OMG. It took about 30 hours to come to life. But there was no distortion. If you can pin down that there is also distortion from another source, then I would get in touch with DavidZheZhe.

It doesn't sound any different (terms of distortion) on the Aux out from soundcard. I think its possibly that it just needs to break in? I've had it running about 8 hours prolly. It sounds great on all other frequencies other than the bass. You think it's just break in?

 

I wouldn't think it is break in. During break in most of tubes mature in terms of sound quality but usually they never distort. Since it also distorts with different headphones, it sounds to me as if one pair of tubes is not good (that is if the distortion is on both channels) or there is a problem with this particular amp.

You may just need to clean the contacts, check eBay for deoxit.