LittleDot MK IV is a tube headphone amplifier that can also work as a preamplifier. It is priced at 499$.
Sound quality
Build quality
Price
Packaging
The Little Dot comes in a standard, brown box where you can find our amp, standard RCA cables and a power cord. It is a nice gesture, but I instantly changed interconnects for aftermarket ones.
Build quality
MK IV is pretty light for its dimensions, only 3,5kg but still handcrafting remains on a high level. The whole device is really solid, rubber feet are easily holding Little Dot in the selected place, but moving without pulling up can leave some traces on the table.
The potentiometer is working smoothly, with sufficient resistance, but it is not completely quiet, there is audible noise. I think it can be fixed simply with oiling.
Efficiency
Honestly, I don’t know if there are some headphones that MK IV won’t drive properly, except some beasts like Kennerton Odin. All it needs is synergy, so take a look at the paragraph below and you will know if it’s an amplifier for you.
Sound
Little Dot MK IV is a very interesting tube amplifier when it comes to the sound. It is delicately warmed, very great detailed and gently softened, there’s no sharpness, no sibilances. Pure analog sound which is IMO really comfy to listen to.
The bass is slightly warmed up, might be slowed down for some, though I’d say it’s very fluid, raises up with a delicate manner and so falls down, without any slug. I loved it with Michael Kiwanuka on my Fyne F500, that’s a really great preamp for them
The midrange is again slightly warmed, with very juicy… basically everything, it is all calm and full of life in one second. Honestly, I haven’t heard anything which sounded bad.
Treble is the most recessed part of the frequency range, it is really smooth and kind. I wish it could be more detailed and a little brighter.
I really love the possibilities of Little Dot MK IV to project the soundstage. It is really high, wide and deep. Usually, the main topic is kinda close, moved delicately to the front, when the rest of the sound can go really far away and surprise the listener with it. Imaging is awesome, every direction and distance is precisely formed. Because of that MK IV is also a perfect companion for gaming!
Summary
Little Dot MK IV is a very surprising amplifier, I really thought it will be worse. I felt in love with it, thanks to the soundstage and this analog sound. It can easily drive most headphones available on the market. But remember, it is a totally different playstyle than THX amps, so if they were too boring, cruel and bright that may be the amp for you. Definitely recommended for this sound signature fans.
Gear used during this review for the sake of comparison and as accompanying equipment:
- Headphones– Philips Fidelio X2HR, Sennheiser HD598, Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro, Sivga Phoenix, Monolith 1570, Audeze LCD-3
- DACs and AMPs– SMSL SP200, Topping DX3 Pro, Topping D50s, SMSL M500, iFi iCAN Pro
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