[GutterSmurf]

Quote:

The gain switches underneath are set for high sensitivity headphones (not high impedance) Should they be at medium impedance/sensitivity? And when you say switch, do you mean move them around, or use different tubes? I haven't bought any new ones yet, I just have the stock.

 
No harm in playing with the switches, and (after you rule out the switches) with the tubes just take them out and swap left to right.

 

[spiderking31]

I must say that I own the sennheiser hd650's, and the little dot mk3, and use maximum gain, and set the volume to 80%....and I'm in audio Nirvana! Just my opinion

 

[spiderking31]

Why would you think the little dot mk3 isn't good enough? I have a set of sennheiser hd650's, with my blue dragon v3 cable, and mk3 with CD player, and I'm in heaven! I mean, my cans are 300 ohm impedance....just saying....unless your running 600 ohm headphones through them, which I never tried, how would this be a bad amp? I'm in audio Nirvana with my setup!

 

[spiderking31]

I got my mk3 about a week and a half ago....never had any problems....try using de-oxit....you can get it at radio shack, or on their website.....good luck!

 

[spiderking31]

Read the instruction manual that came with it...I have the sennheiser hd650's, which are 300 ohm, which means they are high impedance....check your phones to see what ohms they are, then you'll know and the tubes? Don't worry about those....unless you tube roll like I did happy trails!

 

[PANGES]

Quote:

I must say that I own the sennheiser hd650's, and the little dot mk3, and use maximum gain, and set the volume to 80%....and I'm in audio Nirvana! Just my opinion

 
You're at high gain with your volume at 80%? Does anyone in Nirvana still have their hearing?

 

[spiderking31]

Well, I now keep it at 70, minimum, and about 76 max...it was just the tubes needed to be burnt in

 

[spiderking31]

And remember, my cans are 300 ohm...

 

[Max F]

The HD650 are 300 ohm but they are pretty sensitive.  Litte dot actually recommends the middle gain for them (high ohm and high sensitivity).  In fact, at max gain I can barely get my volume knob up to 40!  However, alot of that has to do with your source.  My DEQ2496 is a pro gear and runs at least 2 volts (probably close to 3).  I think a ipod is around 1 volt.
 
Anyway, don't blast your ears out!  Also take breaks every couple of hours.

 

[spiderking31]

I turn my amp up to 70, and that's plenty for me! And the music isn't too loud

 

[AlexRoma]

I strongly prefer gain 4 on any headphone. There is plenty of power even for 600ohm DT880's on Mullard tubes. Switching higher gain cause too much distortion in comparison. Gain 4 is the perfect balance in worm signature and clear-crisp dynamics (at least if I don't pull the volume weal to the limits, and I never do so). 

 

[tigersinacage]

Quick question - I'm using an E17 with the Little Dot MK3 at the moment, and it's pretty good as a DAC. Would I see a noticeable difference if I switched to a standalone DAC?
 
Any recommendations? I'll be using Beyer DT880's with em. (250ohm)

 

[Max F]

Switching to higher gain should not cause distortion. You just have less volume control (knob movement) over the normal volume levels unless the lower gain is just not loud enough.  I've never heard distortion on my MKIII at high or any gain.

 

[jfindon]

I'm really leaning toward this amp for my HE-400s...  would a Bifrost be a suitable DAC for them?

 

[silversurfer616]

The HRT Music Streamer would be an upgrade in sound,but it is USB only!
Thought I mention this as I have/had both.
 
Also,switching between gain changes the soundstage and the bass impact.