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Is this budget tubed line preamp any good?

76.189.19.19
Posted on November 3, 2009 at 13:16:56
6 Meters DX
 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!
My best 6 meter contact was a ship in the South Atlantic. )MT(, posted on November 5, 2009 at 11:04:51
J. S. Bach
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Posts: 6607
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Contributor
  Since: June 29, 2004


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?, posted on November 5, 2009 at 06:37:00
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 13111
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
Contributor
  Since: June 24, 2005
 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?, posted on November 4, 2009 at 10:30:49
6 Meters DX
 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?, posted on November 5, 2009 at 20:06:42
Caucasian Blackplate
Industry Professional

Posts: 4445
Location: Seattke
Joined: June 18, 2004
 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, posted on November 4, 2009 at 14:05:19
Frihed89
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 Nt
"What did the Romans ever do for us?"
RE: Is this budget tubed line preamp any good?, posted on November 3, 2009 at 23:48:07
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 8435
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 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.
"What did the Romans ever do for us?"
RE: Is this budget tubed line preamp any good?, posted on November 3, 2009 at 18:28:18
casouza
Audiophile

Posts: 485
Joined: March 18, 2008
 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?, posted on November 3, 2009 at 17:33:02
mrr
Audiophile

Posts: 326
Location: SW Washington
Joined: August 11, 2004
 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?, posted on November 3, 2009 at 17:12:00
Marc Bratton
Audiophile

Posts: 4578
Joined: June 15, 2000
 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.

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