Audio Asylum Thread Printer

Get a view of an entire thread on one page

General Asylum

Is this budget tubed line preamp any good?

76.189.19.19

Would this make a good sounding 'budget preamp' (tubed, no less!) with a small McIntosh solid state amp (MC162), Magnepan MG12's, and a CD source (XRCD, HDCD, redbook)?

It has garnered rave reviews as an affordable headpone amp. Wouldn't it then impart the same, highly praised sonic qualities as a simple line preamp in a 2-channel system with speakers? Or would the inexpensive price point pre-dispose me to panning it?

Anyone using a head amp/preamp AS a line preamp?

Gracie!

http://www.little-tube.com/forum/forums/thread-view.asp?tid= (Open in New Window)

Follow Ups:

My best 6 meter contact was a ship in the South Atlantic. )MT( - J. S. Bach 11:04:51 11/05/09 (0)
Dave
Later Gator,

Crank up your talking machine, grab a jar of your favorite "kick-back", sit down, relax, and let the go
RE: Is this budget tubed line preamp any good? - Michael Samra 06:37:00 11/05/09 (0)
CQ DX CQ DX,this is,N8TPI calling CQ on 6 meter AM phone even if the band is closed due to the sunspot cycle
Thats a fantastic little preamp.I like the filtering scheme they are using in the power supply and I also like the 6H6p which is more on the lines of an ECC99. The only thing I would change in that preamp is those harsh red wimas. I would out k40y-9s and you can use the 200v versions if room becomes a problem with the 400v ones.

73
If the power supply waveform isn't pretty,neither is the sound in most cases.
RE: Is this budget tubed line preamp any good? - 6 Meters DX 10:30:49 11/04/09 (2)
Thanks for the responses. I've heard from many other that Magnepans really come to life with tubes in the audio chain, especially preamps. Can't wait to hook this thing up to my MG12/QR's!

I don't understand how this company can sell this tubed head amp/line preamp for only about '2 Franklins'! I mean, just look at the excellent quality parts/components used in the photos! How can they make a profit??

Considering the very favorable reviews 'Little Dot' products have garnered, the price/performance ratio is unquestionably 'off the charts'. With unreal deals like this, clearly one doesn't need big bucks to put together a quality, high-end (or approaching high end) system! OK, you won't quite get MBL, Bryston, Audio Research, BAT, VTL etc. sound (DUH!), BUT you are getting quality sound that just a few years ago, you would have had to pay much more money for. And that is good for the masses! I think.

Let's sing the praises of companies like LittleDot, NAD, AV123, PSB (Alpha), Magnepan (MMG), Energy, etc.! Until I hit the lottery, I can actually enjoy 'higher end' audio sound, and still have money left over for my other money sucking hobbies my wife dislikes like Ham Radio/Shortwave, motorcycling, model railroading, etc.!
- RE: Is this budget tubed line preamp any good? - Caucasian Blackplate 20:06:42 11/05/09 (0)
  A headphone amplifier like this (OTL) implements some design tactics that allow it to drive low impedance loads (maybe down to 50 ohms). Driving an amplifier really only requires the ability to drive a 10k load and some extra capacitance.
  
  Electroylitic coupling caps tend not to be high on most people's lists when purchasing a high end preamp...
- Little Dot products are made in China. That's how. Nt - Frihed89 14:05:19 11/04/09 (0)
  Nt
  "Live free or die"
RE: Is this budget tubed line preamp any good? - Frihed89 23:48:07 11/03/09 (0)
There are threads on headfi.org about modifying both the Mk III and IV. I havea friend who got the Mk IV and did not like the sound when he bought it, but he modified it heavily and now says that it sounds quite good, but not as good as the MapleTree Audio Design headamp I sold him. Go to their web-site and look at the pre-amp they offer, the MapleTree 2A SE line preamp. It is a good, inexpensive tube rectified, tube preamp with a long track record of happy buyers.
"Live free or die"

Edits: 11/04/09
RE: Is this budget tubed line preamp any good? - casouza 18:28:18 11/03/09 (0)
HI
I own a Little Dot MK III and use it is as a backup tube preamp, besides driving Sennheiser 600 headphones. It has tube magic sound in spades and is slightly microphonic, only while warming up. It souds great for the money.

The MK II is less expensive, has a more tubey sound and is more microphonic.
Hum and noise are not an issue IMS.

Both are great no-frills tube preamps that use inexpensive tubes, so tube-rolling is easy on the pocket.

LD MK IV uses 6H30 tubes, so I opted out due to tube replacement costs. Besides, I do not like the sound of 6H30 tubes. Anyway, if you want a cross between solid state and tube sound, the MK IV may be a good choice.

Good luck
Let us know? - mrr 17:33:02 11/03/09 (0)
If you try this out, please let us know how it sounds? I've got a Shanling PH-3000 headphone amp that I should try as a pre, just to see how it works out..., but I've been lazy.

thanks,
bb
RE: Is this budget tubed line preamp any good? - Marc Bratton 17:12:00 11/03/09 (0)
Have no idea. Why don't you try it and tell us? You could do worse. I can tell you that 12QR's really appreciate having some tubes as close to the source as possible.

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.