Does the Little Dot MkII drive the Audeze LCD-X?

Computed from measured specifications · target SPL 110 dB · load 32 Ω

Adequate

The Little Dot MkII adequately drives the Audeze LCD-X with limited margin (~9.6 dB headroom at 32 ohms; needs ~11.0 mW, delivers 100 mW). Note: output impedance for this amp isn't reliably published, so the damping interaction into this 19 Ω load can't be assessed; treat low-impedance pairings with caution.

Headroom
9.6 dB
Required (110 dB SPL)
11.0 mW
Delivered (@ 32 Ω)
100 mW
Required voltage
0.46 Vrms

Power Headroom

Headroom: 9.6 dB 0 · target 9.6 dB below target marginal adequate ample -14 dB +10 +20 +36 dB

Scale shows dB headroom above the 11.0 mW required to reach 110 dB SPL. Amp delivers 100 mW at 32 Ω (+9.6 dB above target).

Audeze LCD-X Planar · over-ear
Impedance (rated) 20 Ω
Impedance (measured) Source: reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/r… 19.45 Ω measured
Sensitivity (rated) 96.0 dB/mW
Sensitivity (measured) 99.6 dB/mW measured
Driver Planar
Spec basis Measured
Measured by Reference Audio Analyzer (https://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/report/hp/audeze-lcd-x.php) · Source ↗
Little Dot MkII Desktop Tube · Single Ended
Output impedance assumed Not published
Power @ 32 Ω 100 mW
Power @ 120 Ω 200 mW
Power @ 300 Ω 300 mW
Power @ 600 Ω 150 mW *est.
Power source Manufacturer low confidence
* Loads marked "est." are derived from the published voltage ceiling at a lower-impedance load (V = √(P·R) → P_higher = V²/R_higher). All derivations are upward only.
Little Dot MkII SEPP OTL circuit. Power figures (100/200/300 mW at 32/120/300 Ω) appear consistently across retailer listings (Linsoul, ShenZhenAudio) citing manufacturer spec. Note unusual characteristic: more power into 300 Ω than 32 Ω — typical for OTL amps. Output impedance not published; SEPP OTL topology suggests ~20–50 Ω but no reputable non-forum measurement found. Set null; damping check flagged as indeterminate. 600 Ω derived from 300 Ω. · Source ↗
Impedance — unknown output impedance

This amp's output impedance is not reliably published, so the damping interaction into this 19 Ω headphone cannot be assessed. Treat low-impedance pairings (below ~80 Ω) with caution.

Planar driver note

Planar-magnetic headphones can have high current demands that are not fully captured by the power headroom model. Even with adequate headroom, some solid-state amps may struggle to deliver sufficient peak current for transient dynamics. Prefer amps rated for low-impedance planars.

Specification confidence: low

One or more amp specifications (power output or output impedance) are estimated rather than published by the manufacturer. Treat this pairing's verdict as approximate.

Where to buy

Little Dot MkII on Amazon ↗ Audeze LCD-X on Amazon ↗

Disclosure: links above are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. Affiliate commissions do not influence verdicts; all analysis is computed independently from the data.

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