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Zigge
3
Sep 11, 2017
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2 month review... I've used my MkIII (standard no DAC) for a couple of months now behind a Cambridge Audio DAC (192 kHz/24 bit ) and it works beautiful. I got some other studio equipment with the same tubes for voice recording, but with an option to overdrive the tubes for a softer "tube sound". Little Dot has kept the drive levels inside the linear band and I think it delivers very crisp and controlled sound with little to none coloration in tone. If you are looking for the creamy thick "tube sound" this is not really it I think. This is pure amplification with a line under pure. It got plenty umph to drive my Bayer Dynamics DT880 Pro to a head ache inducing level. I don't consider myself as a audiophile or audio hobbyist by far, but I do like good sound and detail. This amp delivers in spades! I don't really have any gripes with this little Dot, it just soldiers along day after day. The only very minor thing is that it tends to pick up the beep beep sounds my phone makes when it communicates with the cell tower from time to time. But the phone has to be close to the amp for it to happen and if I just move it a couple of meters away there is nothing to be heard.
Sep 11, 2017
TheIzzardKing
359
Sep 29, 2017
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ZiggeThanks for the review!
Sep 29, 2017
steve.rathwell
3
Nov 14, 2017
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ZiggeWas there a noticable difference with and without the DAC added?
Nov 14, 2017
Zigge
3
Nov 14, 2017
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steve.rathwellHi Steve That is almost one of those trick questions. :-) I would say it depends on what you original source is. My source is my computer and it makes a huge difference compared to the onboard Realtek chipset. First of it moves the analog part outside the computer cabinet so there is no interference and crosstalk in the signal. Quiet is totally quiet even if you crank the sound to max with no source playing. No hiss or static at all. The second thing is the options for using sources that are sampled up to 192kHz. Few do, but you can really hear a difference between the ordinary 44,2kHz and a 88,2kHz or 96KHz recording. The dynamic range is hugely improved and you get much bigger difference between low and high sounds, details in a triangle or hi hat is no longer just "a sound" but gets intonation and life like no longer listening to a recording with a pillow over your head... That is my audio source. If your source is a newer, non-crap CD player or Blueray I don't think you will hear a tremendous difference since most quality DAC's in CD players are on par with the Cambridge DAC or maybe better. If your source material is 128bit MP3 files on a mobile phone or similar the sound quality just ain't there from the beginning and no DAC in the world is going to bring back the details in your music.
Nov 14, 2017
steve.rathwell
3
Nov 14, 2017
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ZiggeThanks for the thorough reply - my source would be an Iphone 8 with spotify -- at 320kbps - I am using MD HD6xx and a JDS O2 am with no DAC except from the phone - worth getting an external DAC?
Nov 14, 2017
Zigge
3
Nov 14, 2017
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steve.rathwellHi Steve. For the simple fact that the output amp stinks on all phones I would say yes. There are several very good "pocket" integral DAC / amp solutions that will help a lot. Especially with quality cans. If you only use earbuds I don't think you will hear a world of difference. As a stationary solution you will also see a big improvement. The internal sound in phones are even worse than onboard sound in computers. But don't be tempted to get a Bluetooth capable DAC. The Bluetooth link will nullify any quality gains downstream.
Nov 14, 2017
tipsymcstaggers
17
Dec 13, 2017
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ZiggeExcellent discussion!! I've got an iPhone 8 as well and was planning on Bluetooth to Apple TV to TOSlink to MIMBY/Magni3 Schiit stack...but sounds like you'd recommend against that? Again, appreciate your thoughts on the DAC/mobile source stuff, seems awfully hard to find informed opinions on them.
Dec 13, 2017
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