[califmike33]

Well Well i put the amp on the hightest setting before i was going to give up on it. Now it has more power and volume, but seems like more distortion, im playing with it for a few days before i totally give up.

Are there any internal mods you can do to improve sound quality ?

 

[FinHifi]

Well Well i put the amp on the hightest setting before i was going to give up on it. Now it has more power and volume, but seems like more distortion, im playing with it for a few days before i totally give up.

Are there any internal mods you can do to improve sound quality ?

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/little-dot-mk-iii-mods.439449/

Nothing too simple.

 

[TrollDragon]

Well Well i put the amp on the hightest setting before i was going to give up on it. Now it has more power and volume, but seems like more distortion, im playing with it for a few days before i totally give up.

Are there any internal mods you can do to improve sound quality ?

I found gain 10 way to noisy to be anywhere useful. There are literally pages and pages of happy HD650/6XX LDMK2 owners out there so It's boggling as to why it doesn't supply enough power for your pair. Have you tried a different source than the SMSL?

 

[Shane D]

Anybody here using the Mark 9? I got rid of the Mark III a few months ago, but I was really surprised with how well it handled my Grado's. I was wondering if the Mark 9 would do well with a few different pairs of efficient headphones?

 

[triod750]

I use HD650 with my LD MKIV and have never felt that they are underpowered. Maybe this depends on source and choice of music, I don't know. My source is a CD-player (!). Lower register in a grand piano is very demanding...
I don't listen to a lot of rock music so I can't compare.
Original tubes, though, left me disappointed.

 

[mab1376]

I use HD650 with my LD MKIV and have never felt that they are underpowered. Maybe this depends on source and choice of music, I don't know. My source is a CD-player (!). Lower register in a grand piano is very demanding...
I don't listen to a lot of rock music so I can't compare.
Original tubes, though, left me disappointed.

Yeah, a true 2v source will make an impact on perceived loudness, and the gain jumpers on the amp too, I have mine set at 5 out of 10 and with stock (EH 6h30Pi, and an upgraded AEG 6AK5W) and custom (C3Gs and 6SN7) both sound great and 10/10 on the volume knob is ear-bleeding with my HD650.

Unrelated:
Preamp out seems to be unbalanced now (left sounds louder) after 10 years of owning it some caps may be dying. Headphone out still seems fine.

 

[TrollDragon]

Unrelated:
Preamp out seems to be unbalanced now (left sounds louder) after 10 years of owning it some caps may be dying. Headphone out still seems fine.

It might be a dirty or loose connection on your RCA cables at either end.
The preamp out RCAs and the headphone jack are actually wired in parallel, there are no extra components in the preamp out circuitry.

 

[mab1376]

It might be a dirty or loose connection on your RCA cables at either end.
The preamp out RCAs and the headphone jack are actually wired in parallel, there are no extra components in the preamp out circuitry.

The terminal in the rear for output doesn't look any worse than the one used for input, I used straight wire musicable II cables for inputs and outputs. I see what you mean by parallel, I popped off the from and rear panel and all solder points look good with very minimal corrosion. So not sure what it could be.

 

[TrollDragon]

The terminal in the rear for output doesn't look any worse than the one used for input, I used straight wire musicable II cables for inputs and outputs. I see what you mean by parallel, I popped off the from and rear panel and all solder points look good with very minimal corrosion. So not sure what it could be.

If you swap the L/R RCAs does the louder sound still stay on the Left?

 

[mab1376]

If you swap the L/R RCAs does the louder sound still stay on the Left?

I'd have to plug it back in and check, it was pumping into my Jotunheim 2 at the time.

My new WA22 has taken it's place on the desk

 

[Shane D]

I'd have to plug it back in and check, it was pumping into my Jotunheim 2 at the time.

My new WA22 has taken it's place on the desk

That is Quite an upgrade!

 

[mab1376]

That is Quite an upgrade!

Was on my wishlist since 2012, so finally pulled the trigger on it!

My MK IV SE will be moved into my bedroom hooked to a Fiio BTR5

 

[TrollDragon]

My new WA22 has taken it's place on the desk

Very Nice!

 

[Shane D]

Not tube related except that I just got my tube amp, the Little Dot MK9.




I was surprised that the power tubes are from France?

 

[Shane D]

Not tube related except that I just got my tube amp, the Little Dot MK9.




I was surprised that the the power tubes are from France?