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Zenwalker
76
Feb 19, 2018
I'm torn between this and the Little Dot 1+? Which on should I get? Can this power T50RPs? I just want to have a hybrid amp that can power those cans.
Brosefstalin42
260
Mar 11, 2018
ZenwalkerI looked those phones up, either would do well, this would have more power to get louder with less distortion, you might want to look into the little dot mk2 or mk3 or even a darkvoice, if you don't need a DAC. If you need a DAC, getting an all-in-one like this is a great start. You have a decently efficient headphone, and it was made to handle plenty of power, this hits 2W at 32 ohm, so you're maybe getting 1 to 1.2W at 50 ohm (it's rated 3W max before driver damage, the TH-X00s on here are rated 1.8W but get plenty loud even at 0.6W depending on Source and DAC line out power.
The 12AU7 tube in this has a lot of decent options, and since it's only one you don't have to worry about channel balancing via matched pairs as much. The little dots have the matching, which you have to beware about matching a bit, especially the mk2 and up since the little dot 1+ just colors the sound. If you have a strong left channel tube and a more worn out right channels tube, the left will sound louder than the right. I don't know exactly how noticeable it is, but I've heard within 5% tends to be the upper limit of what you'd want in the higher numbered little dots. Getting those matched tends to drive price up, I've seen under 1% difference go for 4 times a 10% difference in matched tubes, just for tube price reference. This unit (or any solo 12AU7 amp) can get cheap grab bag tube lots/bundles and you can find a lesser known brand/date of tube that you love that might only be $3. The gold lion tube with another amp tends to go for $35-50 since it's popular and apparently appeals to mass amounts of users. Mullard seems to be the go-to otherwise, usually around $15-20.
Zenwalker
76
Mar 11, 2018
Brosefstalin42Thanks for the reply! I already have a Darkvoice but as far as I know, using planars on OTL tube amps is not ideal, hence I want a hybrid amp for my planar cans. I decided to get a Bravo Ocean along with a JJ 12AU7 replacement tube. I already have a good DAC so I scrapped the idea getting the TA-10.
Brosefstalin42
260
Mar 11, 2018
ZenwalkerYeah, kinda tough to find a good tube sound for planars. I've heard of tubes that affect the DAC sound output like the Aune tube DAC/amp that is on here now and again, and that the tube colors the sound if you were to use the DAC to connect to another amp. Of course then you have to consider the harmony of that with a solid state amp that colors it again.
Damn you, planars!
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