Little Dot III headphone amp

[GeoffreyW]

Hi, Graham Quite agree re timing, but just couldn't wait, having read so much about the Crimson. I have cleaned the old lead connections, with De-Oxit, and shall definitely do comparisons. I think I'll keep using the feed via the Naim, rather than direct from the CD, for source convenience, as well as keeping it simple for the rest of the family. I was almost tempted by an Avondale PSU, on another forum, but stopped myself in time.

I will agree, though, I'm slowly becoming almost addicted to listening to music, exploring & being immersed it in all its shapes and forms, as never before.

 

[Anonymous]

These little silver litz are nice. I've only bought foot long ones as the shorter the better in my opinion and the dock is right next to the LD III. Only about 10 hours on them so far.

Pleased you're rediscovering music as I Geoff........enjoy the weekend.

 

[GeoffreyW]

Good evening, Graham, just wondered how the new Litz cable is coming along? I've reverted to Flashback from CDP to amp, and Chord Crimson from amp to LD, as it gives a more open sound.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Geoff, they were nice. However, I've sold them on as I've got also sold my Arcam irdock they were linked to the LDIII with. I've bought a tiny M38DAB Denon which has a digital direct input for my iPod and I'm very happy with that.

Now I've got DAB and DAB+ capability as well as the option to play CDs.

It won a What HiFi award this year and sounds excellent. I really must challenge why I had a Cyrus CD8SE given the quality of this kit.

 

[GeoffreyW]

Yes, Graham, they did rate that system, IIRC. I guess you'll also have more room, too? Particularly if you didn't buy the speakers. Must admit it is tempting to have fewer boxes, but perhaps that's for the future. Cyrus have had a caning lately, it appears.

Are the new power tubes contributing significantly to your sounds? Or is it a subtle addition? My Mullards should be well and truly run in by now, and I'm looking forward to a longish period of enjoyment before any more changes - unless any baby Shahinians appear for irresistable money, of course.

 

[Anonymous]

GeoffreyW:I'm looking forward to a longish period of enjoyment before any more changes.
Until the next one Geoff! Hmmm, how long?!

The power tube input is minimal Geoff but I've got 4 spares (2 new and the 2 old) just in case. I had a whooshing left channel last week but some remounting of the driver tubes sorted that out.

I have more room and didn't go for the speakers. It really is a lovely little system for £179.00.

 

[GeoffreyW]

Well, some back-up Mullards are a good idea, and I'm happy with them so am unlikely to try others. Also he originals have only a few hours on them. A pair of power tubes in reserve would also be a good idea, especially as prices are reasonable.

At the moment buying CDs is having to be reined in, having just bought Queen 1 & 2 2011 remasters, as well as downloading CD quality 4 Seasons from Linn - fantastic! Just love the sound.

Write out 50 times "I must try harder to spend less money"

 

[Anonymous]

Spend it Geoff, you've semi retired so have earned it!

Some spares are a must and as you say, for relatively little expense.

 

[GeoffreyW]

Graham, I just knew it wouldn't last. Alessandro phones on order. Just got to see how much the import duties, etc amount to. Still checking out tubes, though.

 

[ziggy47]

I just knew it wouldn't last. Alessandro phones on order.

Geoff, we need to talk....lol........

 

[Anonymous]

Geoff, be sure to report in with those Alessandros once you get them. I wasn't fond of the Grado 125s I had but interested to know how these fare.

 

[GeoffreyW]

I certainly will, Graham. I opted for the dearer Series 1 set, as "they have an improved design, and a new housing design", according to them. I'm looking forward to their arrival. My wife told me that she wasn't unduly affected by leakage from my 80s, so I stopped looking for a closed phone, which would cost considerably more for the same sounds, and went for the Alessandros, and they may yet be a bargain?.

 

[Anonymous]

Any news Geoff?

 

[GeoffreyW]

I knew this would happen, I just knew it! I've got to listen to all my CDs again. The Alessandros are good, but I think I've improved them. As I said, the bass is stronger, fuller, but treble and higher/secondary harmonics seem a bit veiled. They sound more like closed 'phones than open ones. The "core" of the sound is there, but not the higher frequencies, if you know what I mean? There just isn't quite the brightness and airiness I hear from the SR80s, and was expecting from the MS1s. I have a JBL test record, and on one track, frequencies above 20kHz, which can't normally be heard, were removed, and there was a definite, noticeable, difference in the sounds, and the same was happening with the MS1s, compared to the 80s.

Anyway, while I was demonstrating them to a friend, at work, it occurred to me that the MS1s have foam pads, which differ from the foam rings of the 80s. As they seemed interchangeable, that's what I tried, and lo and behold the veil was removed, and the solidity and fuller range of harmonics revealed. Now I can appreciate that there is quite an improvement of the MS1s over the SR80s, and the open, spacious sound I love from the 80s is back, but better.

Construction is slightly different, the MS1s having an extra depth to the body, which must give a larger chamber, helping with sound production. To anyone who has SR60s or 80s, and is thinking of upgrading, then I think the MS1s are definitely worthy of consideration, especially at current prices, as I found. Not having heard any SR 80is, I don't know how they compare with my 80s, but they'll have to be good to improve on the MS1s, I believe. And I don't really want to find out. I'm happy now.

As my wife seems content with the level of sound leakage, I won't be lashing out on PS5s, or the similarly expensive AKGs or Senns. Now the next problem is, I bought them to replace the 80s, when they fail, which could be quite a way off. How long can I resist?

A Result, as they say.

PS.

Note to self - must get some relacement foam rings for the 80s.

 

[Anonymous]

Nice one Geoff, the main point is how much you are enjoying the music again!

 

[GeoffreyW]

Too right, Graham.

Oh, by the way, the answer was................24 hours.

 

[Anonymous]

Geoff, how are you?

How does the kit sound after some long running in times? I'm more than happy with my kit.

 

[GeoffreyW]

Hi, Graham, long time no hear. I'm fine, thanks, enjoying my set-up. The Mullards are sweet, revealing and smooth, and are working very well with my Alessandros. I'm still not sure whether I prefer the LD fed by my 72/140, or direct. I've settled on the Flashback i/s from the CDP to amp, and Chord Crimson lead from amp to LD3. The Avatar seems to lose detail in the midrange, somehow. Having this terrific sound has meant spending on more CDs, and it's difficult resisting the urge to upgrade further. A change of oil and a new white belt on my old Rega has also set me off in that direction, once again.

I still wonder about more tube rolling, if I could find some Sylvania EF95 or 5654 GB, or some Tung Sol 6AK5W tubes, but haven't looked too hard. The Mullards still seem to be the tube of choice, according to other forums?

Have you done any more tube rolling since your last post?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Geoff, pleased you're well and enjoying the kit.

No more rolling for me just, like you, enjoying the music tremendously. I did look a while back at some Amperex Bugle Boys but that would mean a jumper switch back for (I'm guessing) the same kind of sound as the Mullards..........

If anyone disagrees I'm happy to listen!

Interesting about those other tubes mind. Do let me know if you find any as I've not heard of the Tung Sols.

 

[GeoffreyW]

Hi, Graham. Yep, I'm just enjoying the music,, and am just listening to a recent recommendation- Bruch violin concerto, with Scottih Fantasy, played byJascha Heifetz with New Symphony Orch., on RCA Living Stereo, one of quite a few releases on this label. Terrifically musical and dynamic, extremely enjoyable.

I replied to tour post last week, but it seems to have disappeared, so here goes again.

Tung Sol tubes are an American product, dating back over 80 years or so. There's a post reviewing them, and the Mullards, on the LD3 forum. The reviewer thought them to be better than the Mullards, and a site called Tube Depot has some, Tung Sol 6AK5Ws, very reasonable prices, too. I'm very tempted to try some. I've not been able to locate any Amperex Bugle Boys, and other alternatives I've noted include Sylvania EF95 / 5654 GB (Gold Brand), plus Russian 6Zh1P-EV. I also noted "WE 403A/B", presumably Western Electric? Also noted Watford Valves as suppliers? Must admit I'm confused by all the suitable varieties, and don't want to buy tubes I can't use.

I'm still debating whether to try rolling the power tubes, as you have done, being unsure about the changes, if any, but nothing ventured.... Did you find any appreciable improvements?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Geoff. Yes, a lovely warm sound I dound, and to my ears, a noticeable improvement.

I must check out those Tung Sols! Why not just bite the bullet Geoff and try some Mullards. I'm very happy but itching to try some more tubes, just because I can!

That recording sounds excellent. I've a Living Stereo RCA Strauss, Also Sprach Zarathustra CD which sounds amazing, from 1956 I belive.........

 

[GeoffreyW]

Graham, I've been using Mullards since Christmas, and an extremely please with them, but with HiFi you always want to explore, as you know, and while I'm trying to delay any major/large investment until I decide on which direction to go, I saw these tubes and jumped in. I may have been a bit hasty, as the blurb does say they're identical to Tung Sol tubes, but are branded National. Perhaps someone out there may shed some light for me? However, until I try them I won't know. As the original tubes in the LD3 were also 6AK5W, I assume the new ones will require the jumpers swapping back. Any road up, they're on their way, and I'll keep you updated as and when.

Re the Living Stereo CDs, I also bought the Respighi Fountains/Pines of Rome, to which I'm listening now, but through the speakers, as I have an hour or so to myself. Zarathustra sounds tempting, I love the intro, not sure about the rest of it, but I'm going to have to check it out. They're sounding fabulous through the MS1s - nad talking of exploring, I saw another thread which mentioned Alessandro 1000s, but these are a DIY mod, which potentially seem to offer better sound, but it's a bit too soon to start hacking them about; more research is needed, first.

 

[Anonymous]

Whoops, sorry Geoff, forgot you had the Mullards. Please let us know when you bed the new tubes in........

I've bought a 0.5m Chord Crimson Plus, the new one with transparent plugs. Very happy with it. I've also bought some Senn 380 HD Pros which are on their way.

 

[GeoffreyW]

No worries, Graham, the new tubes should be here soon.

I'm using an old Crimson i/c, from amp to LD3, and am thinking of trying the new one between CDP and amp, to replace the Flashback.

You'll have to let me know how you get on with the 380s, when they're run in.

 

[Anonymous]

Only just saw this thread, I'm using almost an identical setup. Big thumbs up for the Tung Sol 6AK5W, I had to import mine and pay over the odds on duty but they really are great tubes, mine were NOS 1930's I think.