[Scutey]

  My experience with the MK III has been very positive indeed.
 
7 years of almost daily use with stock power tubes & M8161 drivers totalling thousands of hours.
No noise with HD650, no sign of wearing out.
 
Brilliant.

Hi korpijaakko,
 
That's very encouraging as i've only had my mkIII for 3 months!. The M8100 and M8161 are by far the best valve/tubes i've heard, hopefully i've got many years of happy listening to come!.

 

[korpijaakko]

I think it's about time to find some spare power tubes.

 
I've been away from the tube rolling & audio world for years now and there's over 200 pages of text here so please bear with me.
 
The bass part is a bit too subdued at the moment so I'm asking if that can be remedied with other pair of power tubes?
Also, I'd like to know if there are any major differences between M8100 and M8161?
 
 
Thanks & regards from Finland!

 

[MIKELAP]

  I think it's about time to find some spare power tubes.

 
I've been away from the tube rolling & audio world for years now and there's over 200 pages of text here so please bear with me.
 
The bass part is a bit too subdued at the moment so I'm asking if that can be remedied with other pair of power tubes?
Also, I'd like to know if there are any major differences between M8100 and M8161?
 
 
Thanks & regards from Finland!

First off you should check out the LITTLEDOT TUBE ROLLING GUIDE very interesting thread if you want to check out power tube reviews go to page 201 post# 3007 also if you want to try out different driver tubes there's page 1 and better tubes we came up with on page 77 .post# 1154 http://www.head-fi.org/t/563884/little-dot-tube-amps-vacuum-tube-rolling-guide/1140

 

[Scutey]

  I think it's about time to find some spare power tubes.

 
I've been away from the tube rolling & audio world for years now and there's over 200 pages of text here so please bear with me.
 
The bass part is a bit too subdued at the moment so I'm asking if that can be remedied with other pair of power tubes?
Also, I'd like to know if there are any major differences between M8100 and M8161?
 
 
Thanks & regards from Finland!
If you find the bass a bit too subdued the M8100 has a slightly more pronounced bass over the M8161 which I find makes these great tubes for rock/metal, although I think the M8161 has slightly better highs, overall I find these two valves/tubes to be very similar. If you are looking for power tubes I can recommend the 6N6P-IR and the Electro Harmonix6H30Pi. Also here is the link to a very good guide to all the power tubes available for the LD MK3.http://www.head-fi.org/t/563884/little-dot-tube-amps-vacuum-tube-rolling-guide/3000#post_9823694

 

[korpijaakko]

Thank yous for showing the direction.
 
6N6P-IR seems like a reasonably priced quality power tube.
Anything specific to look for when deciding on a pair, low OTK number?

 

[Scutey]

  Thank yous for showing the direction.
 
6N6P-IR seems like a reasonably priced quality power tube.
Anything specific to look for when deciding on a pair, low OTK number?

Not sure, got mine off Ebay and are from the Novosibirsk factory, Mine have have the OTK then a rhombus with the letter J inside, at least it appears to be a J,what I can say is there has been an improvement in clarity, bass response, and mid and upper range. They also should all seem to have smoked glass around the middle. Oh BTY the Ebay seller I got mine from is called svetlana_ua.

 

[MIKELAP]

  Thank yous for showing the direction.
 
6N6P-IR seems like a reasonably priced quality power tube.
Anything specific to look for when deciding on a pair, low OTK number?

OTK number is quality control stamp 

 

[mordy]

Hi K,
 
Having being part of the Little Dot thread for a long time, my recommendation, based on trying numerous different tubes, is the Ei 6HM5 as drivers, Then buy the 6SN7 to 6GC7 adapters and any inexpensive pair of 6SN7 octal tubes as power tubes.
 
The general consensus was that these tubes were better than the original types and variations of them. In addition, the 6HM5 have an instant on feature that looks like a little fireworks in the tube!

 

[korpijaakko]

  Not sure, got mine off Ebay and are from the Novosibirsk factory, Mine have have the OTK then a rhombus with the letter J inside, at least it appears to be a J,what I can say is there has been an improvement in clarity, bass response, and mid and upper range. They also should all seem to have smoked glass around the middle. Oh BTY the Ebay seller I got mine from is called svetlana_ua.

 
Hope it's 1 because one pair ordered from her.

 

 

[Scutey]

Hope they work out well for you!.

 

[Scutey]

  Hi K,
 
Having being part of the Little Dot thread for a long time, my recommendation, based on trying numerous different tubes, is the Ei 6HM5 as drivers, Then buy the 6SN7 to 6GC7 adapters and any inexpensive pair of 6SN7 octal tubes as power tubes.
 
The general consensus was that these tubes were better than the original types and variations of them. In addition, the 6HM5 have an instant on feature that looks like a little fireworks in the tube!

Hi mordy,
 
Interested in your comment on the 6SN7 as power tubes, I was wondering if you could offer any more info based on what you know. You said they need an adapter, please excuse my ignorance but I assume the adapter plugs into the 6n6p socket and the tube into the adapter, also are there any other mods that need to be done?, also (apologies for all the questions but you've got me intrigued!), have you any recommendations for 6SN7 tubes with good base?.

 

[LaCuffia]

Just got the Little Dot MKIII yesterday....nice so far, but there is a crackling sound that I notice when music is not playing - is this a grounding problem, the tubes, or something else?   Would replacing power cord help? I would appreciate some assistance, thanks.

 

[MIKELAP]

  Just got the Little Dot MKIII yesterday....nice so far, but there is a crackling sound that I notice when music is not playing - is this a grounding problem, the tubes, or something else?   Would replacing power cord help? I would appreciate some assistance, thanks.

 .Have you cleaned the pins of the tubes to start with ?.does this sound happen on startup and only for a few minutes?. this would be normal tube crackle when warming up sometimes .where does the sound come from the left or right channel ? if from one channel swap tubes around starting with power tubes and after with the driver goal is to see that when tubes are swapped if noise follows to the side you just swicthed tube to .Start with this .

 

[LaCuffia]

This is my first real tube amp so no idea what cleaning the pints of the tubes would entail.   The crackling noise is usually in both channels, and remains even after half hour of the amp being on.  I did notice the crackling noise getting louder when I move the tone arm of my turntable to a record, so perhaps there is interference with other components of my system.   But I will try switching the tubes first and see how that goes.  Thanks for your comments.

 

[mordy]

HI l,
 
Mikelap offers you good advice.
 
To clean the tube pins, take a small pen knife or similar (does not have to be be sharp), and gently scrape the surface on each pin, all around the pin, especially if you see dirt or oxidation.
 
This is the best and cheapest method.
 
Some people insist on cleaning chemically with de-oxit, which is pricey. Instead, you can go to Walmart and buy a similar electronics cleaner for a fraction of the price:
 

 

CRC QD Electronic Cleaner, 11 Wt Oz
Average rating: 5 stars12 reviewsratings



By: CRC
Walmart #: 550316559

1. 
2. 

About this item

1. Cleans and protects sensitive electronic equipment
2. Helps prevent contact failure
3. Quick-drying formula

$4.77
 
The easiest way is to order it on line and pick it up at a nearby Walmart - sometimes it is hard to find these items in the store.
 
Good luck!