[Dept_of_Alchemy]

I noticed that a NIB LDII+ sold on ebay for a little more than $150 just recently. Is this comparable with the going rate on head-fi? IIRC, it seems to me like most LDII+/++ amps sold in the FS forums here have upgraded tubes as well as for less than $150. Don't the early LDII+ amps ever go out of fashion?

 

[kpeezy]

Hmm.. I think that's close to the going rate for LDII++'s. A little less here usually but not in mint condition. As for the upgraded tubes, I haven't paid enough attention to say whether or not they generally have them when sold here.

 

[Danika k]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpeezy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hmm.. I think that's close to the going rate for LDII++'s. A little less here usually but not in mint condition. As for the upgraded tubes, I haven't paid enough attention to say whether or not they generally have them when sold here.

Where can I find the upgrade tubes? Are they worth the money?

 

[jinp6301]

I think a lot of people preferred the sound of the + over the ++.

 

[Ogresmash]

I think I picked up my II+ for $150 from these forums, so that seems to be the standard going rate.

 

[rivieraranch]

David sells a new Little Dot II++ every couple of days using a, Ebay Buy It Now listing for $149.99 plus reasonable shipping. The new unit would be warranteed, etc.

Why would anybody pay the same amount for a new LD II+ (not II++) unit rotting in its original packaging for over a year, not knowing if it is working good, etc. I read somewhere that the LD II+ version ran very hot; you could fry an egg on the top of the unit; that David had taken care of that problem with the LD II++.

This makes no sense to me.

 

[kpeezy]

Edit: Deleted

I thought it was $150 shipped which could bring up a new topic of sorts. They probably would have been better off buying new. However, I no longer see the LDII++'s listed on ebay anymore

 

[Ogresmash]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivieraranch /img/forum/go_quote.gif David sells a new Little Dot II++ every couple of days using a, Ebay Buy It Now listing for $149.99 plus reasonable shipping. The new unit would be warranteed, etc. Why would anybody pay the same amount for a new LD II+ (not II++) unit rotting in its original packaging for over a year, not knowing if it is working good, etc. I read somewhere that the LD II+ version ran very hot; you could fry an egg on the top of the unit; that David had taken care of that problem with the LD II++. This makes no sense to me.

Well, the II+ is generally considered a better sounding amp than the II++ because it uses directly heated tubes, giving it a fuller and more "tubey" sound. The II++ didn't fix the heat issue of previous amps, but it did do away with the tube arcing issue that plagued the II+ and it has more tube rolling options than either the II+ or the II so it's better in those two regards.

The II+ was well worth the $150 I paid for it, and I could actually see people paying a premium for it in the future because of its somewhat unique design and fantastic sound. At this stage I'd absolutely recommend someone go with the II++ rather than a used II+ though. I only bought a II+ because it was the only used Little Dot I could find for sale on the forums, and I didn't want to have a new one shipped over from China.

 

[rivieraranch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ogresmash /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, the II+ is generally considered a better sounding amp than the II++ because it uses directly heated tubes, giving it a fuller and more "tubey" sound. The II++ didn't fix the heat issue of previous amps, but it did do away with the tube arcing issue that plagued the II+ and it has more tube rolling options than either the II+ or the II so it's better in those two regards. The II+ was well worth the $150 I paid for it, and I could actually see people paying a premium for it in the future because of its somewhat unique design and fantastic sound. At this stage I'd absolutely recommend someone go with the II++ rather than a used II+ though. I only bought a II+ because it was the only used Little Dot I could find for sale on the forums, and I didn't want to have a new one shipped over from China.

There is something to be said for not incurring the risk of damage, and heartache of having an amp shipped over from China. In a way you buy local and avoid that risk.

 

[GotNoRice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivieraranch /img/forum/go_quote.gif Why would anybody pay the same amount for a new LD II+ (not II++) unit rotting in its original packaging for over a year, not knowing if it is working good, etc. I read somewhere that the LD II+ version ran very hot; you could fry an egg on the top of the unit; that David had taken care of that problem with the LD II++.

Yeah as others have said, many (such as myself) prefer the sound of the + better than the ++. I have both and they run equally as hot. I'd even go as far as to say the ++ seems to run slightly hotter than the +. The + does have the arcing issue, but I just unplug my headphones before powering the unit on, and I've operated it for a year and a half like that without issue.

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GotNoRice /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah as others have said, many (such as myself) prefer the sound of the + better than the ++. I have both and they run equally as hot. I'd even go as far as to say the ++ seems to run slightly hotter than the +. The + does have the arcing issue, but I just unplug my headphones before powering the unit on, and I've operated it for a year and a half like that without issue.

I'm in the same boat as GotNoRice, I own both amps and prefer the + stock. Although rolling the tubes (especially power tubes, but also going to M8161 drivers) made the ++ just as good, but different, than the +.

 

[feifan]

Like Dept_of_Alchemy and GotNoRice, I own both. I use the 2+ for music, the 2++ for DVD movies. Both run hot, but in my case, the 2++ seems a bit cooler. Coupled with the Beresford DAC, the 2+ has a warmth, richness, and clarity that's tough to beat.