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La Figaro 339i Tube Headphone Amplifier
01 / 07
La Figaro 339i Tube Headphone Amplifier
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Product Description
A refinement of La Figaro’s original 337 model and subsequent 339 headphone amplifiers, the 339i tube amplifier delivers rich audio to any pair of headphones. Its circuit uses first-order direct amplification and a cathode output, which is capable of driving headphones spanning the impedance spectrum from 32 to 600 ohms Read More
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Amnesia1187
544
Oct 10, 2020
DatabassOnly way Beats gonna sound better is if Kanye droppin his “musical genius” directly into your ears. Or if they finally get an Apple logo. That Apple logo improves distortion, dynamics, soundstage and impact. It’s magic.
(Edited)
kenwstr
121
Oct 11, 2020
DatabassGiven that only improving the worst component in a system brings improvement, I'd say that if the reputation of beats among the audiophiles I know is correct, it seems unlikely that anything would improve them.
I have no personal experience with Beats though so I don't have an opinion on them, the above reputation could just be audio elitism, maybe not. However, the Beats frequency response graph which has a dip at 4 kHz, peak at 5 kHz and falls off extremely sharply above 6kHz, seems to confirm the poor reputation above may be correct. Most decent headphones tend to fall off above 10kHz but nowhere as steeply as the Beats.
https://www.thephonograph.net/headphones-frequency-response/beats/
Based on this, it seems they already have a warm sound. Driving them with a "warm" amp, would likely suppress the top end even more, resulting in further loss of definition and detail. So, it seems to me, unlikely to pair well. The Amp may be better suited to neutral to bright phones you want to tame and mellow.
This is just what I suspect from available information. I am not familiar with either product though.
(Edited)
hp4fun
32
Sep 24, 2020
DHL just delivered my LF 339i! Packing isn't perfect imho, and the tubes were all over the place.
My setup: Tidal master -> SMSL M9 -> LF 339i, stock tubes -> Hifiman HE560.
Music: mostly classical music.
Quick impression: Fantastic sound! Less analytical than SP200 (and 789), but the sound stage is fabulous and the sound is warmer than 789.
When I say less analytical, one example is the "In Qusta Reggia" in Turadot, by Mehta, Sutherland and Pavarotti. Around 5:30, 789 can still separate Sutherland and Pavarotti, but LF 339i "mixed" them with the orchestra. However, the sound is fuller and smoother than 789 (e.g., noticeable dry and harsh in Sutherland's voice and the flute).
Another example is the 1812 by Dorati and Minneapolis Symphony. For the record I also have both CD (now) and LP (in the past). I never enjoy the cannon (~14:30) using 789. I actually considered the conversion of this CD to Tidal Master was flawed in the past. But LF 339i brought me back to the good memory of this CD.
Complaints? Yes! The tube has an annoying background noise (hum). It is very disturbing, and it becomes louder when I increase the volume. I don't know if it is because my HE 560 has low ohm, or because of the stock tubes. The noise seems to be switched if I swap the power tubes, but still under further investigation (they are very hot!).
Also the smell. I only have hybrid tube amp in the past, so I am not sure if the smell is from the body or the power amp.
Conclusion: love it. I started to distance myself to the 789 (and definitely use LF 339i if I can fix the hum issue).
adeadcrab
258
Oct 10, 2020
I think a slight hum is normal, goes away with music playing. I have a stronger hum in the right channel, no matter which tubes are used. Noticeable with sensitive headphones like the Focal Elex. The right power input toggle is a little loose so maybe could be bringing ac noise into the amp, not sure. Could get it checked out but it doesn't really bother me and is almost gone with 300+ ohm headphones.
Hum with new tubes is just the tubes burning in.
Offramp
76
Oct 11, 2020
hp4funI was about to tell you to roll the tubes but you did already. I own the 339 and it was the first thing I did. My stock tubes are less than one month in.
I recently hooked this amp to the V850 single ended outputs using Audioquest cabling. I used my regular PSB headphones. The result I was not expecting to be as lush or fulfilling as I got. Those phones are no where near my most expensive but I love the sound signature. I never switched phones and only intended to listen to 3 songs that turned into 20. I don’t have any hum problems on my amp and like it so much I’ve really been thinking of getting the 339i for kicks (I like the way it looks). Good luck finding stuff to buy here, they need to take some of us to another level and with you buying that amp it’s only a matter of time.
(Edited)
AGHiFi
12
Apr 14, 2020
I’m using a pair of Fostex T60RP headphones...what sort of adapter or cable should I use? My headphones have a standard 3.5mm to 1/4” unbalanced cable. Any specific product and ‘where-to-buy’ recommendations are appreciated.
kimdeug
430
Apr 15, 2020
Thanks for link. I have found a lot of helpful info on that link, especially to modify my LF 339. Seems like few people already done very well with some overkill parts. This is my long term project and experimental hobby, little by little. Roughly on half way what others have already been completed and posted on Head Fi. Also have drilled two holes on my LF to made direct RCA out:)) Working now on small signal filter, as the interference from transformer and valves make signal little bit deviated. Regards, Kim
adeadcrab
258
Apr 15, 2020
kimdeugmake sure you can discharge the components before tinkering in the amp - i didn't want to mess around with that so sent it to a repair technician - almost been a year now :) oh well
MusicLover
566
Nov 23, 2020
Just a warning. My Lafigaro 339 caught on fire tonight. Started having a strong odor last month and tonight after being on for about an hour sparks and flames
It was always on a bar shelf and never covered and rarely used. Hope Drop stands behind it
(Edited)
xxrune
2
Nov 24, 2020
if your looking for another tube amp, i recommend you check this site out https://toraudio.com/main.html?v=4
xxrune
2
Nov 24, 2020
Almost forgot, if I'm not completely wrong, they are based in Ukraine, so if you live in the US you might have to pay tax
Usehername
107
Nov 25, 2020
No comments from Drop on how they have helped out these ones that stink and smoke and worse. So there’s no warranty?
MusicLover
566
Dec 3, 2020
It doesn’t seem to be a common thing but those who have a lot more knowledge of tube amps seem to have a understanding as to what and why it happened. The only thing that is common is the fact that Drop won’t help when a issue like this happens. No machine is perfect however a manufacturer should offer support. This manufacturer says that Drop assumes all responsibility when they sell their products and Drop offers absolutely no support. That’s the only point of my post.
Jbug
62
Sep 24, 2020
I got a box all the way from China today, and it contained my black 110V 339i. Much quicker shipping that promised, always a pleasant surprise. Packing seemed a little sketchy until the interior box from Yuking, which contained a sturdy fort of firm foam. The boxed tubes were loose inside and got squished a little, but no harm done. The box and "manual" were from the original 339, the manual being a single glossy spec sheet.
After briefly wrestling with one tight RCA-in, all seems to be well. Tubes arrived intact, glass power tubes and black pre-amp tubes as in the pictures. Power tubes were unmarked, pre-amp tubes had Russian boxes and spec sheets.
Fit and finish is solid and attractive, maybe some teensy scratching at the corner of one of the big power squares. Dual blue power-indicator LEDs are bright, interesting color contrast with the red glow of the power tubes. Amp is quite powerful, I can't turn up my 300-ohm HD-6xx's over half way or it hurts my ears. And it sounds good to me. A little humming when you turn the volume up with no input, but not noticeable with music playing and may resolve with time or different tubes.
The pre-amp outs are powered by the amp and will not passively pass through. They are controlled by the volume knobs. The headphone jack does not cut the pre-amp outs, so you can use both simultaneously. So if your amp or receiver also has a headphone jack, you can run two sets of headphones at the same time, with relatively independent volume control. My guess is that this could run a small pair of sensitive speakers at office volumes straight off the output jacks, but I haven't tried that yet.
Amp does give off a bit of a Cosmoline smell for now. My bedroom smells like a Harbor Freight Tools store, I expect my dreams tonight to be lit.
rumata13
563
Apr 14, 2020
What's the point of 2 power inputs and switches? What happens if only one is turned on?
andrewdavis7
142
Apr 14, 2020
That's an unusual design. Even big 'ol dual mono class A amps from Pass Labs and Bryston only use a single power cable.
(Edited)
adeadcrab
258
Apr 15, 2020
rumata13Non-matched tubes will not have exactly the same power level and volume. Also if you are hard of hearing in one ear.
hp4fun
32
Oct 31, 2020
I found something interesting!
I used to connect my DAC through my back-lit mechanical keyboard (simply because there is a USB-A port). Last night I turned off the flashing keyboard light so I can enjoy the music more. Then I suddenly found the noise floor of the amp dropped to almost unnoticeable!
Holy cow! I actually don't understand why, but I felt I missed almost 2 months great music time .....
jkhmonkey
95
Nov 18, 2020
hp4funyou don't want to plug your DAC through a USB passthrough on your keyboard. That introduces a lot of electrical noise that you don't want coming into your DAC, and probably explains why the sound improved when you turned off the lighting. Try to plug your DAC straight into your PC, preferably directly into the motherboard rather than a USB port on the PC case. The name of the game is to reduce interference from other electronics' signals into your DAC as much as possible.
Coho
43
Sep 13, 2020
I wanted to share my two cents on the La Figaro. Last April I purchased the older version of the 339 on Drop. I shared a quick review and was generally thrilled with this tube amp. The warm amplification is amazing compared to any of the other amps I have used. We are talking a huge difference in both sound and power.
This is the thing. It just sits in my closet unused. I began having issues with channel drop out earlier in this pandemic season. Being just an avid audiophile and not an electrical whiz I cannot figure out how to address this problem. Amazingly, kind of like the old days of hitting the side of your tube tv ( or at least seeing shows of people doing that), this moderate tapping was the only thing that brought the channel back. I actually had the same problem with a little dot III. This is where I figured that type of solution out. Anyways, that solution soon stopped working. I’ve tried everything, multiple tubes, Dac’s, different locations, contacting Drop, etc.
My take is faulty construction. I guess you get what you pay for. So beware when considering. Just one final note, the sound is so luscious, I still consider buying one and just think of it as a disposable asset with a limited timeframe.
That is how crazy good this beast sounds or maybe I’m just crazy.
Jbug
62
Sep 14, 2020
Thank you for adding that safety warning, I don't want to get anyone hurt with my half-baked advice!
VinylLover
10
Oct 9, 2020
CohoIf you head over to DIYAudio.com there is very likely someone in your area that can help you. It sounds like a loose/cold solder joint which is easy to replace. It's a shame that many of these amps coming from overseas aren't very reliable, but the nice thing about these lower-cost point-to-point tube amps is their topology is very simple so it's easier to repair and replace parts. The latest solid state gear is virtually all SMD parts which is much more esoteric.
jkhmonkey
95
May 20, 2020
It looks like Drop cancelled my order? I guess Yuking couldn't follow through with the order given the COVID status and decided to just cancel it rather than delay it. Anyone else get cancelled as well?
vvcv
13
May 22, 2020
thanks for the reply. I forgot what this thing cost until a moment ago, but I think I'll wait too and put those funds towards some serious upgrades for my 2a3 and 300b darlings. Looking at some juicy Audio Note caps...yummy
Khronus
79
Sep 12, 2020
You should mod your 2A3 to accept type 45s if you want a clearer, a bit less romantic sound.
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