[Papander]

Hmm according to math LCD-2 needs about 80mW power and 40mA current for a 110dBSPL. Compare that to Hifiman HE-6 which needs 450mW and 95mA. Both still quite far from 1W.
 
This is assuming that manufacturers websites actually have correct impedance and sensitivity numbers.

 

[elwappo99]

The mkvi+ produces way more power than the 1.62 @ 50ohm. Either way the lcd2 won't need that much power. Only headphones that really need more than 1w is the he-6.

 

[Jdevesa]

Hello, I just got a Little Dot MK VI+ and want to confirm what are the Gain settings for Orthos (HIFIMAN / Audeze) since the manual is not too clear. 
 
I am assuming both gain switches must be in 0 on both sides but want to confirm (its a hassle to take out the tubes, open the amp, change settings and retest). 
 
Also, what does leaving one switch in 1 and the other in 0 does (if anything)? 
 
Lastly, I would like to change the stock tubes to the best power / driver tubes available for bass and clarity (mine came with the Driver Tube 6N9P and the Power Tubes Rayeton JAN6080)
 
Thanks!

 

[john57]

For Otho's you may want the gain to be set at 10. I am assuming that it will be 0 on all four switches.I believe that the amp default gain is 5. Moving the switches to 1 and 0 may have no effect or no overhaul system gain would be my guess. I have a custom 6AS7/6080 tube amp and the Raytheon 6080 heavy plate tubes shown on EBay is about the warmest 6080 tubes you can find. Using 5998 tubes may give a bit more bass.  I think that a better driver tube like the dark glass RCA tubes may have more appeal to you

 

[elwappo99]

Quote:

Hello, I just got a Little Dot MK VI+ and want to confirm what are the Gain settings for Orthos (HIFIMAN / Audeze) since the manual is not too clear. 
 
I am assuming both gain switches must be in 0 on both sides but want to confirm (its a hassle to take out the tubes, open the amp, change settings and retest). 
 
Also, what does leaving one switch in 1 and the other in 0 does (if anything)? 
 
Lastly, I would like to change the stock tubes to the best power / driver tubes available for bass and clarity (mine came with the Driver Tube 6N9P and the Power Tubes Rayeton JAN6080)
 
Thanks!

 
Hi there!
 
This is a very powerful amp. Not to mention one of the best balanced amp I've heard overall.  You are correct on the gain switches. I think only one of those switches on either side actually control the gain. 
 
There's some other good info in the manual here (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6037680/Little%20Dot%20MK%20VI%2B%20Reference%20Guide.pdf)

 

[Neogeo333]

Im using 5998 now and it sounds good with the  LCD-2, but man the Mullard 6080 along with  Mullard ECC35 makes it shine so more.  Better soundstage and clarity only loosing a bit of bass. 
 
Have anyone tried other tubes with it?  I mean 6336A or something not 6080,6as7 or 5998?

 

[john57]

Never use the 6336A tubes since it uses twice the heater current of the 6080 unless the amp manufacture specially says that you can use them. It is like trying to power up eight 6080 tubes instead of four. One other power tube you could use is the 7236 tubes. On the driver tube side you can have more choices and you can expand those choices with adapters.

 

[Jdevesa]

Thanks! I had already downloaded the manual from the LD dropbox site but wanted to confirm since there are no pictures of the gain switches.
 
Have been burning the MK VI for around 5hrs and find the highs lacking compared to connecting my HE-500 directly to mu Nuforce Icon DAC.
 
Is this because of the stock tubes, burn in needed or both?

 

 

[john57]

The stock power tube is a just a bit of a mellow tube. I have no experince with the driver tube you are using. The 7236 and the 6080WC tend to have a bit more sharp in the high frequencies. Are you using single or balanced inputs from where?

 

[Jdevesa]

Well, mine came with the following tubes (at least what I can read on them):
 
 
Driver Tube - 2 6N9P J+ 70 II
Power Tubes - 4 Rayeton JAN6080 WC 41
 
I am using the NuForce Icon DAC which has no balanced outputs (RCA connection) and connect my Hifiman HE-500 using the balanced port. 
 
Still looking for a good fully balanced DAC that is better than the NuForce, any recommendations? 

 

[seaice]

My tube experiments with the Little Dot MKVIIIse:
 
Power Tubes: I have bought a matched quad of Russian tubes 6H30 PI / 6H30 DR and everything sounds great with them.
 
Driver Tube: 
2x Tesla E83CC original (great)
2x Brimar 6060 with yellow print (great)
2x RCA 12AT7 ECC81 (good, nothing to complaint for the low price I paid, great price/SQ ratio)
 
They all sound better than the stock tubes to me. The Teslas and Brimars are really great!
 
Little Dot MKVIIIse is a great amp and preamp. I really enjoy it since the day I bought it. DAC: Audio-GD Reference One. Headphones: Sennheiser HD800.

 

[Neogeo333]

This little MK6 has come to another level of pure enjoyment after another driver upgrade.  Went from Mullard ECC35 to Mullard ECC32 and DAMN!!! this thing along with 5998 is something to behold.  Its like you peel a old layer away from the music and it have now a more transparent and natural sound.  Even thought the ECC32 are not matched or same base (black and brown) this tube does have its magic.  Better highs and mids.  But I find bass is somewhat a little weaker than the ecc35.  Using my LCD-2 rev.2 and 4pin cable with it. 
 
Anyone tried other ECCxx form Mullard with their MK6?  So far ecc32>ecc35.  Next stop is ecc34 in like 2-3 weeks. 
 
If anyone here had tried the Mullard ECC32 have you guys been able to sit the tube completely in?  I mean the base from the ECC32 is too big to fit all the way in.  Right now I think the pins are 3/4 way in.  Is it all right to leave it like that?

 

[preproman]

+1

 

[Jdevesa]

Got the RCA 6AS7G Power tubes and Tung-Sol VT-229 driver tubes today and after sometime of letting them warm up with different music through my LCD-3's I can say that the sound is absolutely phenomenal an unreal for a sub $1,000 amp even with the upgraded tubes (plus is looks fantastic with the RCA's)

 

[Jdevesa]

Quote:

Got the RCA 6AS7G Power tubes and Tung-Sol VT-229 driver tubes today and after sometime of letting them warm up with different music through my LCD-3's I can say that the sound is absolutely phenomenal an unreal for a sub $1,000 amp even with the upgraded tubes (plus is looks fantastic with the RCA's)