[manbear]

  Kinda just recieved it so im using default tubes ^^ I will stick to these for awhile but I definately want some tips in what tubes that is good or not )
 
Does sound improve anything if you change to another tubes, or do you really just change character of the sound? Haven't really had time looking into it yet.

 
I'd say it's more the character of the sound. Whether or not it's an improvement depends on your preferences. I don't think changing the tubes gives you more detail. For example, Mullard tubes put more emphasis on the bass and midrange and make the treble very smooth, Voskhod tubes give more of an aggressive, punchy sound, and the the Sylvania JAN tubes give you a bigger and clearer soundstage. The differences aren't huge, but they are noticeable. Most of these tubes cost $10-20 on ebay, so I think playing around with them is a low cost way to let you tinker and experiment. Definitely worth the money for me. 

Check out this thread for tube rolling info: http://www.head-fi.org/t/563884/little-dot-tube-amps-vacuum-tube-rolling-guide

There's a ton of information here about different tube types, but I generally stick to the EF95 family of tubes because you can plug them right in without messing with the jumpers under the amp. 
 

 

[Evshrug]

I got a generic looking Amperex (white lettering) 6DJ8 that pretty much matches your Mullard description, I haven't tried my Voskhods yet but the Amperex Bugle Boy fits the aggressive slot IMO (some microphonics problems tho, bump the table or rub the cable and the amp makes a ringing noise through your headphones), and the Sylvania JAN 6DJ8 also give a clearer and bigger soundstage, I love it, also seems to bring out the texture of a note and a fair bit of sparkle while somehow staying a sweet sparkle. Maybe I ought to stock up on some more Sylvania JANs, they are my favourites for now. May be a great compliment to the K712, which I think are back on track to be heading my way, pending some healing.

I think it's very convenient that my amp only takes one tube at a time, but the little array of tubes atop the Little Dot mkIII looks so handsome.

Anyone have experience with Cryo treated tubes?

 

[Advil]

   
I'd say it's more the character of the sound. Whether or not it's an improvement depends on your preferences. I don't think changing the tubes gives you more detail. For example, Mullard tubes put more emphasis on the bass and midrange and make the treble very smooth, Voskhod tubes give more of an aggressive, punchy sound, and the the Sylvania JAN tubes give you a bigger and clearer soundstage. The differences aren't huge, but they are noticeable. Most of these tubes cost $10-20 on ebay, so I think playing around with them is a low cost way to let you tinker and experiment. Definitely worth the money for me. 

Check out this thread for tube rolling info: http://www.head-fi.org/t/563884/little-dot-tube-amps-vacuum-tube-rolling-guide

There's a ton of information here about different tube types, but I generally stick to the EF95 family of tubes because you can plug them right in without messing with the jumpers under the amp. 
 

 
i was looking at this amp. do you only roll the driver tubes or do you change out the power tubes too? i have some mullard 161's in an old Little Dot II++ and was wondering if this was worth the upgrade and using those same tubes.

 

[manbear]

You can change both type of tubes, but changing the driver tubes makes more difference. Power tube differences are more subtle. Power tube replacements can also be more expensive. 

 

[BabylonDown]

Hey Everyone. First post here. Just picked up a pair of these babies. I currently use them mostly for gaming, but love to listen to music of all genres. Alot of rock, house, some classical. I'm currently using an Asus Xense sound card. I was wondering if I should upgrade to a better amp, or purchase something on top? I could use a bit more bass if possible, but not the end of the world.
 
I just had the Xense PC350 headphones and they really lacked fullness and bass and were really bright. Soundstage wasn't really that good either despite the reviews.
 
I have been looking around for amps and am really interested in the Little Dot III.
 
I was also looking at the Art Tube MP Project Series. It's on the cheap side, but used it for some recording a while back and it was superbly clear and warm. Would this transfer over to the headphones? Would they be enough to drive them?
 
Thanks guys!

 

[Androb]

Hey Everyone. First post here. Just picked up a pair of these babies. I currently use them mostly for gaming, but love to listen to music of all genres. Alot of rock, house, some classical. I'm currently using an Asus Xense sound card. I was wondering if I should upgrade to a better amp, or purchase something on top? I could use a bit more bass if possible, but not the end of the world.

I just had the Xense PC350 headphones and they really lacked fullness and bass and were really bright. Soundstage wasn't really that good either despite the reviews.

I have been looking around for amps and am really interested in the Little Dot III.

I was also looking at the Art Tube MP Project Series. It's on the cheap side, but used it for some recording a while back and it was superbly clear and warm. Would this transfer over to the headphones? Would they be enough to drive them?

Thanks guys!

The little dot is great imo. The sound gets alot better with an amp Go back one page and you can see pics of my ld mkiii and q701!

 

[manbear]

  Hey Everyone. First post here. Just picked up a pair of these babies. I currently use them mostly for gaming, but love to listen to music of all genres. Alot of rock, house, some classical. I'm currently using an Asus Xense sound card. I was wondering if I should upgrade to a better amp, or purchase something on top? I could use a bit more bass if possible, but not the end of the world.
 
I just had the Xense PC350 headphones and they really lacked fullness and bass and were really bright. Soundstage wasn't really that good either despite the reviews.
 
I have been looking around for amps and am really interested in the Little Dot III.
 
I was also looking at the Art Tube MP Project Series. It's on the cheap side, but used it for some recording a while back and it was superbly clear and warm. Would this transfer over to the headphones? Would they be enough to drive them?
 
Thanks guys!

I looked up the Art Tube's instruction manual online, and it seems to be a microphone preamp. Hopefully someone with more detailed electronics knowledge can chime in, but it doesn't look like the output is meant for headphones. The output impedance is 600 ohms. As a general rule, the output impedance of an amp should be 1/8th or less of the impedance of the headphones. The output impedance of the amp should definitely never be more than the impedance of the headphones. The Q701 have an impedance of 62 ohms, so I don't think that's what you want. The impedance mismatch would cause distortion in the sound. 

I have a Little Dot Mk3, and it's great for the Q701. I haven't heard the Xense, but the Little Dot has enough power to bring out the bass compared to my CMOY amp. 

 

[ThurstonX]

  Hey Everyone. First post here. Just picked up a pair of these babies. I currently use them mostly for gaming, but love to listen to music of all genres. Alot of rock, house, some classical. I'm currently using an Asus Xense sound card. I was wondering if I should upgrade to a better amp, or purchase something on top? I could use a bit more bass if possible, but not the end of the world.
 
I just had the Xense PC350 headphones and they really lacked fullness and bass and were really bright. Soundstage wasn't really that good either despite the reviews.
 
I have been looking around for amps and am really interested in the Little Dot III.
 
I was also looking at the Art Tube MP Project Series. It's on the cheap side, but used it for some recording a while back and it was superbly clear and warm. Would this transfer over to the headphones? Would they be enough to drive them?
 
Thanks guys!

 
I'm loving my Q701s more each day, esp. after that controversial burn-in process, and played through the JDS Labs C5 and with the custom Mogami cable. The bass has improved, IMO, and the highs have settled down a bit, though they can still be quite forward. Or maybe it's just my ears/brain being trained, Pavlov (*woof woof*)  

 
I'd love to try them with a tube amp, or a hybrid like the Schiit (I hear it's the schiit ).  Maybe I'll get some Obama bucks next year to splash out.
 
Art does make headphone amps, but I think they're more for studio settings (multi-Outs or specialty scenarios).

 

[Ashade]

Where did you get the Mogami cable? Sounds like something I would really like try.

 

[BabylonDown]

I appreciate the replies guys. Your right about the Tube MP. I need to do more research. I appreciate the background information.
 
I am definitely looking for an amp that is full sounding and adds a bit of bass.
 
I told myself that I will be using the setup for mostly gaming, but after listening to the PC350's with a sound card compared to a crappy Siberia V@ headset with no card, I really find myself listening to more and more music.
 
So I definitely am looking for clean positional audio (Thanks to the Q701) and want some warmth and fullness to bring both the gaming and music aspect to it.

 

[ThurstonX]

Where did you get the Mogami cable? Sounds like something I would really like try.

 
Start here:
http://www.redco.com/Custom-Cable.html
 
See this post for my specifics and a little comparison with the stock cable:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/582276/q701-appreciation-thread/3570#post_9780311
 
The Redco guys (I dealt with Marc) are very easy to deal with, and will accommodate your needs and help spec what works.  But definitely check out my post for all the caveats.

 

[Evshrug]

Yeah BabylonDown, I also feel like music alone has become a fun pastime to seek out rather than help time pass on the train or something. I've always LIKED music, but usually as a background to something else, now with my Q701 (and tube amp from Zigis) I will often choose to simply enjoy music over my long-time videogame habits. Before it used to be I just liked hearing new music, of course I still like hearing new stuff but I'm more engaged with it now. And, of course, I kick some major butt in my FPS games I wish Halo 3:ODST had more reliance on stealth, the sound effects and sound track are GREAT.

 

[BabylonDown]

  Yeah BabylonDown, I also feel like music alone has become a fun pastime to seek out rather than help time pass on the train or something. I've always LIKED music, but usually as a background to something else, now with my Q701 (and tube amp from Zigis) I will often choose to simply enjoy music over my long-time videogame habits. Before it used to be I just liked hearing new music, of course I still like hearing new stuff but I'm more engaged with it now. And, of course, I kick some major butt in my FPS games I wish Halo 3:ODST had more reliance on stealth, the sound effects and sound track are GREAT.

Are you referring to this one?
 
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Desktop-HiFi-CMoy-headphone-Amplifier-OPA2134-amp-/251161778255?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7a68984f
 
Or this one?
 
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/DC-CMoy-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier-with-5-5-2-1mm-DC-input-socket-amp-Headamp-/251199256072?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7ca47608
 
How would this compare to the Little Dot MK III?

 

[Ashade]

   
Start here:
http://www.redco.com/Custom-Cable.html
 
See this post for my specifics and a little comparison with the stock cable:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/582276/q701-appreciation-thread/3570#post_9780311
 
The Redco guys (I dealt with Marc) are very easy to deal with, and will accommodate your needs and help spec what works.  But definitely check out my post for all the caveats.

 
 
Thank you man!!

 

[Androb]

babylondown I would recommend you the little dot mkIII since it is cheap and will give you great sound. I think the bass has improved alot since I was just running the xonar essence stx inbuilt amp. Also it gives a bit of warmth, as you wanted.