ASL MG Head OTL: what's the difference between the mk. 1, mk. 2, and mk. 3 versions?

[mshan]

Comments on differences in features, mechanical construction and parts, and sound quality, would be greatly appreciated.

(my source is an M-Audio Revolution. I currently own a pair of Grado SR-60, but have also just purchased a used pair of Sennheiser HD-600 with Cardas headphone cable)

 

[spaceman]

This has been discussed before. If you do a search under ASL MK? you will come up with quite a bit. Just within the past couple of months, there has been a thread or two on the new MKIII.

 

[mshan]

Will do a search. Thanks!

Do you know if the mk. 3's headphone connectors are 1/8 and / or 1/4?

 

[Born2bwire]

Quote:

Originally posted by mshan Will do a search. Thanks! Do you know if the mk. 3's headphone connectors are 1/8 and / or 1/4?

1/4"

 

[mshan]

So all the Sennheiser HD-600 users must use a 1/4 to 1/8 adapter?

Is the one included wit the HD-600 good enough not to limit the capabilities of the headphone or amp?

 

[MichaelFranks]

You can replace the cable if you want a 1/4" jack, try searching the forums, there is alot of information out there!

 

[mshan]

I just purchased an used pair of Sennheiser HD-600 headphones and a 10 ft. Cardas cable.

Do you know if the Cardas cable's termination is 1/4 or 1/8?

 

[sc53]

1/4

 

[mshan]

From a Google search:

"ANTIQUE SOUND LABS: The incredibly popular MG Head DT/OTL MkII tube headphone amplifiers gets a facelift. The MG Head DT/OTL MkIII gets a thicker front panel for the main unit and a metal chassis for the power supply (replacing the plastic box used previously) give the unit a more sophisticated look. No circuit changes were mentioned and it hadn’t been decided at show time if there will be a price increase. Currently the MKII retails for $359" (http://www.gcaudio.com/newsletter/2004_winter3.html)

Are all of the changes from mk. 2 to mk. 3 cosmetic, or are others aware of mechanical / sonic changes from mk. 2 to mk. 3?

 

[usc goose]

You can always ask the man himself. Joe's usually pretty helpful and forthcoming.

 

[mshan]

Thanks USC Goose!

 

[spaceman]

Quote:

Originally posted by mshan From a Google search: Are all of the changes from mk. 2 to mk. 3 cosmetic, or are others aware of mechanical / sonic changes from mk. 2 to mk. 3?

Primarily cosmetic, but do a search under MKIII here at this site in the amp forum, and you will find a thread listing the differences between the two. I tried to look it up for you, but the search is down right now.

 

[mshan]

Hi Spaceman:

What should I type in the search engine: is "mk. III" sufficient?

Also, can I ask how reliable these amps are and who repairs them if needed?

 

[Joe Lau]

Mk III also improved Output transformers to wider band width. Main Chassis also improve to extrude aluminum chassis with 3mm Thickness. It will not have uneven chassis. crocking panel.

 

[mshan]

Hi Joe:

If you use the mk. 3 in OTL mode, will it sound any different than your mk. 2?