Quote:
Those two amps are very different in terms of how they handle headphones.
The Little-Dot MKII is a full tube amp using a Singled-ended Push Pull OTL design, which means it puts out a lot of Voltage but not much Current, making it ideal for high impedance headphones:
- 300mW into 300 ohms
- 200mW into 120 ohms
- 100mW into 32 ohms
The Little-Dot I+ is a Hybrid design that uses Transistors for the output, which means it doesn't put out nearly as much Voltage but has tons of Current. That makes it ideal for low impedance headphones:
- 150mW @ 300 ohms
- 300mW @ 120 ohms
- 800mW @ 32 ohms
In my experience the full tube units will work well with headphones down to about 80ohms or so. I use my DT770/Pro 80ohm headphones with my tube amps and the results are excellent. When using the XB700's with my full tube amps however, they simply don't have enough current for a 24ohm headphone, especially at loud volumes. At low to medium volumes they will work okay with the XB700, and the midrange is going to be smooth like only a tube amp can do it. At high volumes, bad things will begin to happen as the amp runs out of power. The dynamic range of the music you are listening to will become increasingly compressed. Bass notes will lose their definition and impact, and begin to affect the rest of the sound spectrum negatively. The I+ is a bit sterile sounding compared to the warm lush midrange of the full tube units, but it is able to easily supply the XB700 with the power it needs. by 9 O'clock on the dial the XB700's are already getting loud. Strong bass and clarity are maintained even at very high volumes.
Quote:
Whats the difference between Little-Dot I+ and Little Dot Mk-II? I'm thinking of getting a tube amp but cant decide between them and the Solid State Fiio E9...):. I use the XB700 btw.
T.T This is disastrous for me. I have a lot of low impedance headphones (ER4P, XB700) but also want to get a high one for details...Is there a tube that can do well (by well i mean decent, doesn't have to be excellent) at both high and low impedances? D: