[Wolvebain]

Regarding planar magnetic headphones, I have driven HE-560's and am driving my LCD-4's with my LD MK6+ with ease...  I listen to music far north of LOUD, but the volume on my LD MK6+ never goes past the 70 mark.
 
Also, if you are going to evaluate / audition a fully balanced head.amp, like the LD MK6+, against a single-ended head.amp like the La Figaro 339, just make sure that your source is also fully balanced as well (and not just having a balanced out, like that of a NuPrime DAC-9).
My source is an AudioGD NOS 11, and as wonderful as it sounds with it's built-in head.amp (with +9DB extra gain), when paired my LD MK6+, it's divine!
 
 

---

 
Question to the forum:
I'm currently running a matched pair of Psvane CV181-T Mark II as my driver/pre tubes, but have just purchased a pair of 5691 RCA Red Base tubes from TubeDepot.com, with following options:

1. Balanced Triodes
2. High Gain
3. Low Noise & Microphonics
4. Matching

Link: https://tubedepot.com/products/5691r-red-base
 
I've read on a thread elsewhere that these 'run at a lower point' to provide longer hours of running... is there anything I should do or set on my LD MK6+ to run these 5691 RCA Red Base optimally?

 

[rudra]

   
I've read on a thread elsewhere that these 'run at a lower point' to provide longer hours of running... is there anything I should do or set on my LD MK6+ to run these 5691 RCA Red Base optimally?

 
I run a pair of Slyvania 5692 red base. I am not aware of anything out of the ordinary that one needs to do to run them optimally.  Have you tried any other power tubes apart from the 6AS7. 

 

[Wolvebain]

@rudra: Thanks for the feedback; Much appreciated!
 
I've only run the stock 6AS7 it come with initially, and them switched over to the 6SN7GT CV181-T Mark II's (which are direct replacements for 6SN7 & ECC32)
 
Same with the power tubes.. stock then 1950's quad-matched set of semi-used RCA 6AS7G's.. and recently, a quad-matched set of NOS 6AS7G SVETLANA, Winged C logo (less noise, but less warm tone)
 
Any recommendations?

 

[rudra]

@Wolvebain power tubes make a difference(IMO, YMMV). I am currently running it with Quad 5998.  I have used Tungsol 6080 Carbon plates, Tungsol/Sylvania 7236 and Svetlana 6AS7G winged C for power tubes. Several different 6SN7(Kenrad VT-231, Sylvania 6SN7W & VT-231, Sylvania 5692).
 
Depending on what combination of power and driver tubes I get different flavours. The downside is that my wallet is not happy

  
 
Also the HP's have a different presentation with different combination. Some combinations are excellent while some are mediocre.

 

[Wolvebain]

@rudra: Agreed.  Which us why I asked for recommendations...  Stuff that available, whilst I'm keep a lookout for a quad matched set of NOS Tung-Sol 5998 power tubes to become available.
 
As for the matched pair of NOS 5691 RCA Red Base driver tubes from from TubeDepot.. They arrived today

 
Will test them our this weekend and post my impressions.

 

[djj65]

I just ordered the LD MK VIII SE. Does anyone know what stock tubes are included?

 

[rudra]

if you ordered from LD perhaps ask David at LD. He will let you know what tubes are being shipped with the unit.

 

[djj65]

I purchased the unit from eBay, the Shenzenaudio store. I am not able to create an account or contact anyone on the Little Dot site as it appears to be closed off to any new members or posters. I found the same with the La Figaro creator, no contacts. This is why I went through eBay. Hopefully the unit is actually from LD.

 

[rudra]

you can email them @ little.tube@gmail.com
 
If you purchased from Shenzenaudio perhaps contact them.

 

[djj65]

It's interesting. I ended up ordering the unit from eBay last weekend and did not learn about the little dot site until a few days later. I contacted Dave and was told that there is no support or warranty when ordering from ShenZhenAudio. I am not sure if I made a mistake or not since I cannot ask on the boards at the LD site. Dave answered my first question but has yet to answer my question as to whether ShenZhenAudio is a knock-off or legit LD unit. I know it is always a risk to buy from China, but not sure if I made a mistake or not with how I purchased my unit, which is due to arrive next week. I guess I will wait and see.

 

[serman005]

Question for the group. Which Little Dot is most recommended for HD600/650?I really appreciate the input. Just for reference, that is a 300 ohm load.  Thanks.

 

[rudra]

Little Dot MK VIII SE if you plan to use high impedance HP or Little Dot MK VI+. If you want an SS amp Little Dot X1

 

[Wolvebain]

Also consider the Little Dot MK III SE for a budget solution for the HD600/650
 
Quote Link: http://www.littledot.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10332&sid=4f65eb170297f78335c7582aeb786e2a:

The Little Dot MK III SE is a fully balanced hybrid tube amplifier with a discrete output stage. The tube pre-amp stage leverages the 6922's lush mid-range and natural soundstage reproduction for a euphonic and holographic sound. The discrete transistor output stage is a fully symmetrical, pure Class A circuit which produces outstanding power to deliver a powerful and detailed bass response. Both fully balanced and single-ended outputs are supported.

Technical Specifications:
 

1. Fully Balanced Hybrid (tube pre-stage with discrete output) in a pure Class-A architecture
2. Frequency response: 5 hz~100 Khz (-1dB)
3. THD+N: 0.001% (2V rms @ 1000Hz)
4. Power Output:
5. 2.5W (32 ohms)
6. 1.8W (120 ohms)
7. 800mW (300 ohms)
8. Variable Gain: low (4.5) or high (9x)
9. Recommended Load Impedance: 32 ohm~600 ohm
10. Input Impedance: 50K ohms
11. Power Consumption: 30W (228V * 0.130A)
12. VAcuum Tubes: 2x 6N11 (6922 / ECC88, etc)
13. High quality custom aluminum chassis
14. Dimensions (Metric): 245mm deep by 165mm wide by 120mm high
15. Dimensions (English): 9.65 inches deep by 6.5 inches wide by 4.72 inches
16. Weight: 3 Kg or 6.6 lbs
17. Available in either 120VAC or 220VAC
18. In addition to direct purchase (Email us), also available on EBAY for our customer's convenience. Please search for Little Dot Amplifier sold under EBAY seller Davidzhezhe

 

[Maxx134]

Whats the difference between MK6 and MK8? which ones better? also looking for comparison with the la figaro 339. 

Figaro 339 is a beautiful exterior designed amp of high quality feel.
Sound wise it is a thick darker sound suited well to brighter headphones.
It is not balanced.

Although I love the look of the 339,
Both the MK6 & MK8 is the clear winner in most sonic attributes..

MK6 is best all around model, and with the power it has is a perfect solution for all cans.

The MK8 which is balanced amp is very and maybe more neutral sounding.
It is exactly design for higher impedance headphones,
Whith it's output being somewhere in 300-400ohm range,
which the senheiser 600/650/800 are in.
So you could say it was designed with them in mind.

In supermods thread I have lower my mk8 output impedance, as I moved away from hd800 to HEK.
The MK6 was made to have a switchable output impedance as well.
So the advantage of the MK6 increased output is an advantage.
I myself am happy with my MK8 sound.
Even if you do not mod these amps,
It is great benifit to learn about them more at that thread.

I just ordered the LD MK VIII SE. Does anyone know what stock tubes are included?

Included is always New type tubes, which are nice performance but still need tube roll to maximize potential.
Although the Mk6 has more tube rolling in powerube section, you can't go wrong with MK8 powertubes.
My best combo was a combo of Sovtek and EH tube on each channel, with the Sovtek on the left and EH on the right.
This was duplicated on both sides/(L&R)channels.
It gave performance equalling the Russian Supertubes.
Currently I settled on another 9pin , the older 6h6n with an slight increase in bias as well as an adjustment to lower the output impedance.
All that will be discussed in supermods thread.

Anyways the MK6 or MK8 will sound excellent with tube roll suggestions discussed here and there.

Driver tube is always a more personal choice.

 

[3ggerhappy]

Figaro 339 is a beautiful exterior designed amp of high quality feel.
Sound wise it is a thick darker sound suited well to brighter headphones.
It is not balanced.

Although I love the look of the 339,
Both the MK6 & MK8 is the clear winner in most sonic attributes..

MK6 is best all around model, and with the power it has is a perfect solution for all cans.

The MK8 which is balanced amp is very and maybe more neutral sounding.
It is exactly design for higher impedance headphones,
Whith it's output being somewhere in 300-400ohm range,
which the senheiser 600/650/800 are in.
So you could say it was designed with them in mind.

In supermods thread I have lower my mk8 output impedance, as I moved away from hd800 to HEK.
The MK6 was made to have a switchable output impedance as well.
So the advantage of the MK6 increased output is an advantage.
I myself am happy with my MK8 sound.
Even if you do not mod these amps,
It is great benifit to learn about them more at that thread.
Included is always New type tubes, which are nice performance but still need tube roll to maximize potential.
Although the Mk6 has more tube rolling in powerube section, you can't go wrong with MK8 powertubes.
My best combo was a combo of Sovtek and EH tube on each channel, with the Sovtek on the left and EH on the right.
This was duplicated on both sides/(L&R)channels.
It gave performance equalling the Russian Supertubes.
Currently I settled on another 9pin , the older 6h6n with an slight increase in bias as well as an adjustment to lower the output impedance.
All that will be discussed in supermods thread.

Anyways the MK6 or MK8 will sound excellent with tube roll suggestions discussed here and there.

Driver tube is always a more personal choice.

 
Thanks for the info.
 
Now I am leaning to get the MK8 since I have the HD800S, now can you please suggest a pre amp tube wherein there is a laid back warmish sound with good soundstage for the MK8? I still find the 800S quite bright for my taste. TIA