jersey_emt
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2007
- Posts
- 219
- Likes
- 10
UPDATE 04/28/2008: I went with the Darkvoice 336i. I got a great deal on one plus a number of tubes from a fellow Head-Fier.
I am looking to purchase my first tube amp but am having trouble deciding. I searched and read through a good number of threads, but I think I just ended up being even more confused!
I've narrowed my choices down to the following:
1. Little Dot MkIII
2. Little Dot MkIV
3. Darkvoice 336i
The amp will be used with the following headphones:
1. Grado SR80
2. Grado SR225
3. AKG K701
4. Shure E500
5. Etymotic ER4P (with the adaptor cable to make it an ER4S)
It will be used on my desk at work, which is where I do the most listening (at least 3 hours a day, usually 5-6), out of a 4G imodded iPod Photo or my MacBook.
It will be used mostly with my SR80, E500, and ER4P/S. My SR80's stay at work while the SR225's stay at home. The K701's I don't even have yet -- I am picking them up this week from a local member -- will most likely stay at home. I carry both of my IEM's to and from work every day.
From what I have read, all three of these amps are excellent introductions to tube amplification, and I really can't go wrong with any of them. I am leaning towards the Little Dot MkIV as it is significantly cheaper than the Darkvoice 336i, and IMO is a better looking amp, so if I turn out not to care for tubes, it won't be as painful to my wallet.
Before anyone mentions, the Little Dot MkIV SE and the Darkvoice 332 are both out of my price range, and even if they were not, I would be leery of spending that much money on a tube amp because, as mentioned above, I do not know if I will even like what tubes sound like.
I am leaning towards the Little Dot MkIV as it is not much more than the MkIII but, from what I've read, is a pretty significant upgrade. The Darkvoice 336i is the absolute upper price limit I am willing to go here, so saving a good chunk of cash by going with the Little Dot MkIV would be nice, unless there truly is a very reason why I should splurge or it.
As per tube rolling, it is something that I probably would eventually be interested in doing (I'm definitely a tinkerer), but the amp would stay stock for a while as suggested by many people here to truly 'learn' the sound signature of the stock tubes so I can really appreciate the upgraded tubes.
Thanks for your help!
I am looking to purchase my first tube amp but am having trouble deciding. I searched and read through a good number of threads, but I think I just ended up being even more confused!
I've narrowed my choices down to the following:
1. Little Dot MkIII
2. Little Dot MkIV
3. Darkvoice 336i
The amp will be used with the following headphones:
1. Grado SR80
2. Grado SR225
3. AKG K701
4. Shure E500
5. Etymotic ER4P (with the adaptor cable to make it an ER4S)
It will be used on my desk at work, which is where I do the most listening (at least 3 hours a day, usually 5-6), out of a 4G imodded iPod Photo or my MacBook.
It will be used mostly with my SR80, E500, and ER4P/S. My SR80's stay at work while the SR225's stay at home. The K701's I don't even have yet -- I am picking them up this week from a local member -- will most likely stay at home. I carry both of my IEM's to and from work every day.
From what I have read, all three of these amps are excellent introductions to tube amplification, and I really can't go wrong with any of them. I am leaning towards the Little Dot MkIV as it is significantly cheaper than the Darkvoice 336i, and IMO is a better looking amp, so if I turn out not to care for tubes, it won't be as painful to my wallet.
Before anyone mentions, the Little Dot MkIV SE and the Darkvoice 332 are both out of my price range, and even if they were not, I would be leery of spending that much money on a tube amp because, as mentioned above, I do not know if I will even like what tubes sound like.
I am leaning towards the Little Dot MkIV as it is not much more than the MkIII but, from what I've read, is a pretty significant upgrade. The Darkvoice 336i is the absolute upper price limit I am willing to go here, so saving a good chunk of cash by going with the Little Dot MkIV would be nice, unless there truly is a very reason why I should splurge or it.
As per tube rolling, it is something that I probably would eventually be interested in doing (I'm definitely a tinkerer), but the amp would stay stock for a while as suggested by many people here to truly 'learn' the sound signature of the stock tubes so I can really appreciate the upgraded tubes.
Thanks for your help!