[MacMan31]

Little Dot MK9. It runs too warm, so be prepared to use a fan to blow air across the 2x 6080 tubes (these are hot running tubes).
Using a Tung Sol 6SL7 Black Glass Round Plate as driver.
The Tung-Sol and the Aeolus have big synergy. The sound stage opened up, greater sense of width and depth. Spacial ques are really engaging.

If you order one, be prepared for a lengthy wait for it to arrive. They are custom building them as ordered, so takes a while to get it in hand.

How long did you have to wait? I have Lyr 3 and Valhalla 2 right now. I'm hesitant to sell either one as they are both really good but also tubes are pretty pricy these days.

 

[JazzVinyl]

How long did you have to wait? I have Lyr 3 and Valhalla 2 right now. I'm hesitant to sell either one as they are both really good but also tubes are pretty pricey these days.

Received mine 32 days after placing the order. Another user here ordered one and got his in 20 days.
I hear you on costly tubes. The MK9 comes with a pair of French made NOS Thomson-CSF 6080's from the 1970's and a "Chinese" driver that I think looks identical inside and out to the SOVTEK 6N9P (6SL7 equiv). The 6080's are great, probably would never need to replace them. The supplied driver also sounds surprisingly good, it has tremendously thick/deep bass. If you like bass you will like the supplied driver (also new would last a long time).

Because I am a notorious cheap-skate, I did something to make the cost of the nicer 6SL7's cheap for me to buy.

I am externally heating 12SL7's. The 12SL7's sound identical to their 6SL7 cousins, but are vastly cheaper (because, hardly anyone can use a 12 Volt tube). The 12v versions are also easier to find truly new, never used. In the case of the 12SL7 Tung Sol BGRP that I am using, I paid about 1/10th the cost of the 6SL7 version. It was new in the original box. Measured 100% as new.

I know it is hard to buy something you have not heard, I get it. Not saying "ya gotta" but I definitely think you would not regret the 6/12SL7/6080 combo in listening with the Aeolus.

The staging/depth and bass are especially satisfying.

Cheers...

 

[MacMan31]

Received mine 32 days after placing the order. Another user here ordered one and got his in 20 days.
I hear you on costly tubes. The MK9 comes with a pair of French made NOS Thomson-CSF 6080's from the 1970's and a "Chinese" driver that I think looks identical inside and out to the SOVTEK 6N9P (6SL7 equiv). The 6080's are great, probably would never need to replace them. The supplied driver also sounds surprisingly good, it has tremendously thick/deep bass. If you like bass you will like the supplied driver (also new would last a long time).

Because I am a notorious cheap-skate, I did something to make the cost of the nicer 6SL7's cheap for me to buy.

I am externally heating 12SL7's. The 12SL7's sound identical to their 6SL7 cousins, but are vastly cheaper (because, hardly anyone can use a 12 Volt tube). The 12v versions are also easier to find truly new, never used. In the case of the 12SL7 Tung Sol BGRP that I am using, I paid about 1/10th the cost of the 6SL7 version. It was new in the original box. Measured 100% as new.

I know it is hard to buy something you have not heard, I get it. Not saying "ya gotta" but I definitely think you would not regret the 6/12SL7/6080 combo in listening with the Aeolus.

The staging/depth and bass are especially satisfying.

Cheers...

I have not heard of a 12SL7 tube or a 6080 tube. Those don't seem too easy to find. I guess this amp can only be ordered from their official website? https://littledotus.com/?product=mk-9

 

[JazzVinyl]

I have not heard of a 12SL7 tube or a 6080 tube. Those don't seem too easy to find. I guess this amp can only be ordered from their official website? https://littledotus.com/?product=mk-9

Both of those tube are common on that famous online auction site.

You won’t need any other 6080’s than the ones provided.

https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/little-dot-mk9-6n9p-6080x2-tube-ocl-tube-headphone-amplifier

Also has it. Will price match.

Remember you have to externally heat the 12SL7 yourself. The amp is made to heat only 6v tubes.

 

[MacMan31]

Both of those tube are common on that famous online auction site.

You won’t need any other 6080’s than the ones provided.

https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/little-dot-mk9-6n9p-6080x2-tube-ocl-tube-headphone-amplifier

Also has it. Will price match.

Remember you have to externally heat the 12SL7 yourself. The amp is made to heat only 6v tubes.

How would I externally heat the tubes? Isn't Shenzen Audio based in China?

 

[JazzVinyl]

How would I externally heat the tubes? Isn't Shenzen Audio based in China?

Only externally heating the driver. The two power tubes in back are heated by the amp. Just use a socket saver that does not conenct pins 7/8 (these usually deliver the amps' 6.3v to heat the tube) and has two wires coming out - you connect 12v of DC (use an old computer power supply for instance). You are then externally heating that one tube.

Yes to 2nd question - it is in China.

Don't worry about the external heat...'tis easy. The provided stock 6v driver tube sounds good, too...

 

[MacMan31]

Only externally heating the driver. The two power tubes in back are heated by the amp. Just use a socket saver that does not conenct pins 7/8 (these usually deliver the amps' 6.3v to heat the tube) and has two wires coming out - you connect 12v of DC (use an old computer power supply for instance). You are then externally heating that one tube.

Yes to 2nd question - it is in China.

Don't worry about the external heat...'tis easy. The provided stock 6v driver tube sounds good, too...

Perhaps I'll try and find a different tube amp that doesn't require all this extra work.

 

[JazzVinyl]

Perhaps I'll try and find a different tube amp that doesn't require all this extra work.

LOL, or that

Have fun!

 

[JazzVinyl]

New Age (Vangelis) via an NU (National Union) driver In Aeolus’ best friend….the MK9

 

[jonathan c]

New Age (Vangelis) via an NU (National Union) driver In Aeolus’ best friend….the MK9

Nice….except that your head is Aeolus’ best friend…

 

[JazzVinyl]

Nice….except that your head is Aeolus’ best friend…

Well, that's true! Should have said "new partner"

 

[Pharmaboy]

And much like ice cream we all have our personal favourites

But unlike earpads, ice cream cones don't fit well over one's ears and make one helluva mess.

 

[jinxy245]

But unlike earpads, ice cream cones don't fit well over one's ears and make one helluva mess.

Tastes great, sounds like poo.

 

[jonathan c]

 

[Mattyjm]

what wood and cable is that? looks amazing!