Currently have Audioquest DragonFly DAC + Grado SR80i. Worth investing in Little Dot I+?
Mar 8, 2013 at 9:41 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 3

SoundofScience

New Head-Fier
Joined
Mar 8, 2013
Posts
2
Likes
0
Hi, first post.
 
I'm currently weighing up whether to get the Little Dot I+ to amp my Grados. I'm currently on the SR80i but will probably upgrade to the SR325is in the future. The Little Dot is meant to be a good match for Grados but I'm wondering if it'll be any tangible improvement on the headphone out of the DragonFly.
 
Rig is Mac Mini (using Audirvana Plus w/ ALAC) > DragonFly > 'phones.
 
Grateful for any insights! 
smile.gif

 
Mar 9, 2013 at 12:55 PM Post #2 of 3
Hmm no replies?...  Here are my thoughts, now keep in mind I have never heard the Dragonfly, but I did demo the LD1 (or 1+ I can't remember) a long time ago.
 
My understanding of the Dragonfly is its a low impedance headphone circuit, low voltage and overall very good at delivering current peaks.  Which makes sense for its overall size and with 5V/.5A coming in from the USB (theoretical ~2-2.5V max swing in both directions).  So its perfectly suited to drive your Grados and similar low-Z cans.
 
So its questionable (on paper) if your Grados would benefit from additional amplification gain stage.... from a pure signal gain standpoint, disregarding the even order harmonic  "coloring" effects of tubes for a second.
 
The X-factor is how the Dragonfly sonic character will change with the increased impedance load presented by the headphone amp.  You'll probably have to do some in-depth searching for that answer.  One thing I have found is high voltage amplification circuits (IE circuits capable of delivering "bigger" voltage swings than current swings) benefit GREATLY from high impedance loads presented by the next downstream component.  It can be a night and day difference in this regard, and I think a lot of HF forum "amp hype" really stems from impedance matching of components.... as much as the additional amplifier gain stages.
 
Tubes DO make a difference.  No doubt about that.  So disregarding everything I have mentioned thus far, adding even order THD to your system will make a difference.  It will also open up the fun of tube rolling, burn-in, tube psycho-acoustics and all that old school fun.  Although my understanding of the LD1+ is its a relatively low % even order harmonically distorted circuit.  Its one of the "cleanest sounding" tube circuits I have heard.  Thats kind of why I chose a Millet hybrid over the LD1, the Millet bias voltage can safely be increased/decreased to dial in or out more even order THD.  Thats a really unique feature of the Millet deigns that I wish more amp makers would implement.
 
Hope this helps... good luck in your search, and welcome to HF, sorry about your wallet.
 
Mar 13, 2013 at 12:29 PM Post #3 of 3
Hey, many thanks for your in-depth answer! Didn't mean to take so long to reply.
 
Forgive my lack of technical knowledge in this area (seriously wish I'd paid more attention in physics class). So in regards to the impedance matching of amp + DAC, is there any rule of thumb? As the DragonFly is a low voltage circuit, I assume it won't benefit from a high impedance load (the amp).
 
Overall, would the LDI+ be any more efficient in delivering current peaks?   
 
However, if I'm understanding this correctly, the sonic character (THD) of the tubes is likely to be a bigger influence on the overall sound in this case.
 
My wallet's still relatively fat so far, but thanks for the HF greeting / warning! 
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top