Little Dot MKV and the HD650

[cwell2112]

So I've read a great deal about how the Sennheiser HD650 really needs good amplification to come close to or reach its full potential. I understand that a little battery powered portable headphone amp probably isn't going to cut it, but I'm more confused as to just how high end one needs to go in a desktop amp to make the 650s sing.

This brings me to my specific question about the Little Dot MKV. I've read good reviews about this amp, but could someone sort of put those reviews in perspective as the MKV is not terribly expensive for a desktop amp? Is the MKV sufficient to bring out the potential of the HD650s, or does one need to pay a great deal more?

 

[edvardd]

a great question

hope someone can answer

 

[cheezies]

That is a good question. Recently I purchased a Little Dot MKII to drive my HD595's, but I will be upgrading to HD650's soon. I'm guessing if the MKV isn't good enough for the HD650's, then the MKII probably wouldn't stand a chance.

 

[cwell2112]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezies /img/forum/go_quote.gif That is a good question. Recently I purchased a Little Dot MKII to drive my HD595's, but I will be upgrading to HD650's soon. I'm guessing if the MKV isn't good enough for the HD650's, then the MKII probably wouldn't stand a chance.

Haha, I suppose not. I'll be getting a pair of HD650's in the next couple of weeks and a MKV before the month is out, so I'll be able to answer my own question pretty soon!

 

[glitch39]

I have listened to a set and I think it's a good match. Although I think the LD MKV could deliver a bit more power. Plus in IMO the HD650 would play better on a good tube amp

 

[cafe zeenuts]

I have this setup i can tell you that its a great combo MKV has plenty of power to drive the HD650 and cut to the chase the sound is neutral and clean.

 

[Hardflip]

I have the litte dot MKIII and MKV, and neither have any problems driving my hd600's or K701's. I can barely take it past 11 o'clock on the dial. The sound is tight with good extension, particularly on the MKV.

 

[Ben Diss]

I think I can help you here. I have a set of HD-650's (with Silver Dragon cables), a LD Mk V and an iQube.

1. Comparing home use of Squeezebox -> Lavry DAC -> VK-31SE preamp -> MK V -> HD-650 vs. travel use with iPod gen 3 and iQube.

The iQube drives the HD-650 with authority across the entire frequency range. As expected, comparing the sound directly against the home rig, more detail is revealed especially in the very high frequencies. This tends to make sounds more recognizable. In Dark Side of the Moon for example, the footsteps can be heard to be on concrete. With the portable rig, those sure are detailed footsteps but I'll be darned if I could tell they were on concrete or stone. On the Eagles, Hell Freezes Over album, listening to Hotel California, right at the beginning before the audience claps, stage left someone claps just a bit early. Listening on the home rig, I fealt sorry for that person thinking they must have been embarassed. On the portable rig, I had to go back a few times and listen for that detail.

2. Comparing the home system piped into both the Mk V and iQube (a more fair comparison) it gets much, much closer. In this configuration, much more detail is revealed coming from the iQube than with the iPod as one would expect. The iQube is clearly up to the task, but the winner here is still the Mk V. Great, high end delicate detail makes everything simply believable. Listening to Rebeca Pidgeon sign Spanish Harlem I can hear her lips part as she takes a breath preparing for the next note. With the iQube I can hear her breath in, but if I didn't know what to listen for I'd miss the subtle tick heard as her lips part.

Conclusion:

- A good portable amp can drive HD-650's without any problem

- The Mk V is the bargain of the year and is a perfect match to the HD-650. Note that the Mk V is the least cost item in the chain in my home rig.

 

[mojolo]

nice detail Ben.

what are your impressions of the MKV when you take the VK-31SE out of the chain?

 

[wordsworth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hardflip /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have the litte dot MKIII and MKV, and neither have any problems driving my hd600's or K701's. I can barely take it past 11 o'clock on the dial. The sound is tight with good extension, particularly on the MKV.

I am thinking about getting either the MKIII or MKV, how do you think the compare or which one do you listen to more often. I am tempted to get a tube but would rather get the best sounding of the 2 for my 650's

 

[tjumper78]

my friend just got the LD mk5. his hd600 and hd650 are shining like never before. ( he used to plug them straight into 4g ipod, and had guts to say hd650 sucked

) it's a great combo. i wouldnt hesitate to get it.
btw, i currently drive my hd650 with LD mk4se, and i am in love.

 

[spookygonk]

That does it, I'm going to have to save up my pennies and order me one of these!

 

[Golden Monkey]

My combo exactly! Ben's summary is accurate. The HD650/LDMkV combo is a match made in heaven. Accurate, engaging, detailed, and clean. Attack, decay, and transients are all very resolved. Dynamics and headroom are awesome.

I had a similar experience to your "concrete feet", Ben. I was listening to Einsturzende Neubauten, and they use a lot of metal percussion and strange stuff...anyway, I was able to resolve details like...things I'd just think "that's a metal pipe" or "that's a metal sheet" became "that's a 3" galvanized pipe" and "that's a solid chrome 1" bar" and "that metal sheet is torn". These levels of detail also improved dramatically with the addition of the Oritek DAC, which it's true strength lies in details, accuracy and naturalness.

 

[Penchum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwell2112 /img/forum/go_quote.gif So I've read a great deal about how the Sennheiser HD650 really needs good amplification to come close to or reach its full potential. I understand that a little battery powered portable headphone amp probably isn't going to cut it, but I'm more confused as to just how high end one needs to go in a desktop amp to make the 650s sing. This brings me to my specific question about the Little Dot MKV. I've read good reviews about this amp, but could someone sort of put those reviews in perspective as the MKV is not terribly expensive for a desktop amp? Is the MKV sufficient to bring out the potential of the HD650s, or does one need to pay a great deal more?

Any of the MK series of amps, will drive the HD-650s with authority, that is what they were designed to do. The MKV is an amazing amp for the HD-650, that won't break the bank.

It is growing in popularity, as more are purchased and the posts show us just how well it really performs. Those dual inputs are a nice feature too.

At it's current price point, it is a steal!

 

[Tb311]

Looks like I'll be getting an MKV also