TheGodlyAvengerFor me, I'd just buy the default tubes, and then just buy some better tubes on ebay. You could probably find 2 different sets of the tubes I listed for the price of the tubes they offer. The tubes just change the sound up a bit. You can choose how you want your music to sound. Some add more bass, some make vocals sound better, etc.
SamTwentyTreHave you used the defaults on these? I was planning on getting a hd 600 and these with maybe a modi 2 do you think thats a good idea? i have heard that the hd 600's sounded neutral and that the little dot 1 were kind of darkish so it would add a little bit of flavor
TheGodlyAvengerThe stock tubes are "okay". They aren't that great, but you will hear a subtle difference. I'd highly recommend upgrading tubes. That's an excellent idea. I own the Modi 2 Uber, and the audio is amazing! The 600s are AMAZING with tubes!
TheGodlyAvengerMainly just what is on the back. There are a couple extra features, but that's about it. They sound somewhat the same. The Uber might sound better, but that's if you can actually hear it.
IounnoThe Voshkod 6zh1p-ev, Mullard M8161, or Mullard M8100. The M8100 has probably the best bass, but the M8161 has the better soundstage of the three. The M8161 has so much detail, but the bass isn't as good as the M8100. The Voshkods do a great job at both. The Voshkods also have amazing treble. You really can't go wrong with any of these. They have some tubes that have amazing soundstage, but the bass isn't that great. Any of these I would recommend.
SamTwentyTreAny insight with this or the Vali 2? Still deciding over my first appropriate tube amp. The Vali 2 has one changeable tube slot while this has two.
ViraI'd honestly choose this. The Vali 2 is way too overpriced. This honestly has that actual "tube" sound. The Vali 2 is just a Magni 2 with a cool looking tube.
SamTwentyTreIs the Vali 2 really overpriced? they both carry $169 msrp on their tags though the Little Dot is $2 cheaper.
Thanks for the input. I can also visually see it looks no difference to the Magni 2 ignoring the tube.
SamTwentyTreI've ordered the amp with the WE 408s. It's it worth the $28 or just going stock and upgrading? I live in Canada and shipping can be costly
SamTwentyTreExcellent. I've changed my order to the base amp. I'll make sure it's in good order and then try some of the tubes you recommend. Money saved and better result. Thanks for your time and recommendations.
SamTwentyTreSince i live in Canada, it he shipping for the GE JAN5654 is around 15 dollars and the tubes themselves cost about 5 while i can get the Voshkod 6ZH1P-EV for 20$ free shipping. Do you think it is better to get the Voshkods for gaming mostly?
TheGodlyAvengerOh. That's great. I'm on the current drop and expect my amp in March. Once I'm sure it's in good working order I'll order the Voshkod 6ZH1P-EV .
SamTwentyTreYour a good salesman. Done. Went with a higher price, but the company had more sales and a longer return policy. Thanks again. I'll let you know how things work out. If its anything like the long wait for the hd 6xx it won't be easy. That said I was lucky to get on the drop and they sound great with my dragonfly black.
TheGodlyAvengerBy all accounts it should. I have a Cambridge audio DAC magic on my main system and a dragonfly black for everything else. Zeos liked the modi
KbaumLow gain should be fine. My K712 Pros are REALLY loud at like 12 o'clock. Your headphones are most likely harder to drive than mine, but this thing is powerful on low gain. I would just test it because I don't have a pair of Sennheisers to test it with right now.
SamTwentyTreThanks. My I don't have to turn the volume up on my dragonfly much more with my HD 650s vs my sennheizer amperiors. I'll find out. The owner's manual is scant.
SamTwentyTreExcellent. I wonder if all of us self declared audiophiles are online all the time? I was listening to some Nick Drake earlier this evening. Incredible musician, too bad his life was cut short.
Ben_Meyers_044The Voshkods are in the same family as the stock tubes. Just take out the stock tubes and pop the Voshkods in. Line up the pins with holes and there you go.
SamTwentyTreHey i recieved my little dot amp however, Theres an immense amount of static on them at the moment. I have changed the adapter and the cable so i believe it could be a tube problem? If you would be so kind to help me :)
SamTwentyTreYes stock tubes. However, I have seen that if i plug my rca cable to my phone then the static is almost completely gone. I had it hooked up to my computer when the static appeared
SamTwentyTreHey Sam, i got my amp a few days ago. Perfect working order. Russian tubes are amazing. I now get the tube sound. Warm, detailed, and when recorded week better ambiance. Plenty of power for my HD 6xxs. Using my dragonfly black as my DAC.
KbaumMan I bet that combination sounds amazing! The LittleDot is the best tube amp on a budget, or it's the best for anyone wanting to get into tubes. What music player do you use?
SamTwentyTreI'm using foobar on my PC and USB audio player pro on my Android phone. The phone player has a bit perfect setting that makes a noticeable improvement. I'm listening to Nils frahm and Olafur Arnalds. Minimalist keyboards. Studio quality download. Money well spent.
SamTwentyTreThanks for your tube recommendations. My biggest concern was the QC on the amp. I think a lot of the issues are around cables and interference. No such issues for me. Didn't bother using the supplied cables.
SamTwentyTreI have tried many different cables as well as changing the power sources. Does not seem to work properly. I believe this to be my motherboards fault but i am not quite sure. In any case i will be changing my motherboard during the summer anyways so we will have to see xD
SamTwentyTremight be a little late but you're the only person I found in the comments mentioning the K712. How do you like the Dot? Any distortion or anything negative that could be mentioned? Thanks in advance!
SamTwentyTreHi Sam. I've been enjoying my littledot for some time now. I was thinking of changing the amp chip. Any thoughts on what to try and who to get it from? Oh got some cables for my Sennhiesers from best in the verse. Tidied up the sound and opened up the treble a little. Only issue is one of my cats likes the texture of the cable a little too much.
KbaumHaha uh oh! Cats are not good around anything stringy looking. I noticed most people upgrade to the Burson V5i Opamp. That's what most people upgrade to. It's like $50-$60 on eBay.
SamTwentyTreThis cat steals hair bands. With three women in the house there are plenty of them. My braided cable is too much for him.
I'll do some reading on the op amp. Very happy at the moment, but you know.
I've been holding off on the hifiman collaboration. I'd rather focus on improving what I have, than move sideways.
thanks
Alan