[Aynjell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathanjong /img/forum/go_quote.gif Aiks, TWO amps! David suggested either a MkII or MkIII for me, when I asked him. Any thoughts on differences between these two for my two headphones?

MKII will barely touch low impedance phones. I couldn't even hear the difference at the head-fi meet I went to on my ATH's. The III doesn't appear to be that much of a different story, but I'd take david's opinion over mine.

 

[jonathanjong]

Ah, but you think the Dot I+ makes a big difference? The AD700 doesn't benefit from amping much though, does it?

 

[Aynjell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathanjong /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ah, but you think the Dot I+ makes a big difference? The AD700 doesn't benefit from amping much though, does it?

My I+ seems to like it. The I+ delivers a LOT more current than the MK II or III does to 32ohm headphones.

 

[donunus]

Remember that the mk2, mk3, and mkIV are all the same circuit design with better parts/tubes when you go up the ladder... then the 1+ is different since it is a hybrid. i think it would be nice If you got a mk2 and a 1+, all your bases are covered foe a total of 240 bucks. The mk2 is nice with my 580s using the right tube/dac combination

 

[Aynjell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donunus /img/forum/go_quote.gif Remember that the mk2, mk3, and mkIV are all the same circuit design with better parts/tubes when you go up the ladder... then the 1+ is different since it is a hybrid. i think it would be nice If you got a mk2 and a 1+, all your bases are covered foe a total of 240 bucks. The mk2 is nice with my 580s using the right tube/dac combination

I did not know that about the products. I'm probably going to be going with a MK VII myself, when I go for a high end sennheiser setup. LD Dac, as well.

 

[jonathanjong]

I'm currently thinking MkII, but the 1+ does seem to be geared for low impedance headphones like mine. That said, I have my HD580 to consider. Also, some people have mentioned sensitivity as a variable. But all my headphones seem to have similar sensitivity, despite having different impedances. What gives? Check it:

Sennheiser HD25-1 II
70 Ohm
105 dB

Audio Technica ESW9/10JPN
42 Ohms
102 dB

Head-Direct RE0
64 Ohm
100 dB

Sennheiser HD580
300 Ohms
97 dB

Grado SR325i
32 Ohms
98 dB

Alessandro MS2
32 Ohms
100 dB

 

[Aynjell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathanjong /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm currently thinking MkII, but the 1+ does seem to be geared for low impedance headphones like mine. That said, I have my HD580 to consider. Also, some people have mentioned sensitivity as a variable. But all my headphones seem to have similar sensitivity, despite having different impedances. What gives? Check it: Sennheiser HD25-1 II 70 Ohm 105 dB Audio Technica ESW9/10JPN 42 Ohms 102 dB Head-Direct RE0 64 Ohm 100 dB Sennheiser HD580 300 Ohms 97 dB Grado SR325i 32 Ohms 98 dB Alessandro MS2 32 Ohms 100 dB

Grado's sound fantastic with I+, BUT, it really really doesn't like my UHP336's.

 

[jonathanjong]

Huh. Wonder why that is. The 1+ is supposed to go down to 8 Ohms.

 

[Aynjell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathanjong /img/forum/go_quote.gif Huh. Wonder why that is. The 1+ is supposed to go down to 8 Ohms.

I believe it's a question of sensitivity, I hear every fizzle, pop, and ugly nuance that higher impedence and less sensitive cans don't give me.

 

[Pricklely Peete]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathanjong /img/forum/go_quote.gif Huh. Wonder why that is. The 1+ is supposed to go down to 8 Ohms.

The LD 1+ is a hybrid amp, it's tube on the front end and SS transistor on the back end. Such a topology can handle a wide range of loads with ease.

A hybrid would be your best fit with all of those headphones you listed. The Bada PH12 for example is a highly regarded hybrid around these parts but it is out of your budget range unfortunately. Maybe an amp to save up for as a long term goal ?

Peete.

 

[jonathanjong]

Ain't MKII and III hybrids too?

 

[Maxvla]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathanjong /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ain't MKII and III hybrids too?

No, MKII and MKIII are full tube designs.

I've owned a MKIII and used it with my HD580 and HD600. While it sounded nice compared to the SS amp I had tried before it. I felt there was more to be had. I was confirmed by my purchase of the MKVI balanced tube amp, which is unfortunately 3 1/2 times your budget. The difference between MKIII and unamped was noticeable, but marginal. Going from MKIII to MKVI was like someone hitting me with a baseball bat.

 

[donunus]

The VI seems interesting except for the part where I dont see any single ended outputs

edit: whoops my bad, I guess they do single ended mmmm

 

[Maxvla]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donunus /img/forum/go_quote.gif The VI seems interesting except for the part where I dont see any single ended outputs

The new revision of the MKVI notated with a + (MKVI+) has a TRS 1/4 output on the rear along with RCA unbalanced inputs.

 

[donunus]

so your VI is barebones stock? Does it come with the sylvania tubes from the box?