Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
krazer
38
Dec 3, 2016
IMHO, this amp is severely outdated. It lacks CCS power supply on plate current(akin to Speedball on Bottlehead Crack). As a result sound quality suffers BIG time.
daniglevelas
0
Dec 3, 2016
krazerIt will still be better than nothing I guess (I´m not onto this things)
krazer
38
Dec 4, 2016
krazerO2 amp will be way more better than this POS.
TravAndAlex
5
Dec 6, 2016
krazerOwning both an O2 and this 'POS' I can say that the 336 sounds great... a big improvement over the O2.
Typhoon859
141
Dec 6, 2016
TravAndAlexWow, you seriously think the 336 sounds better than the O2? Would you care to qualify that in any way?
TravAndAlex
5
Dec 6, 2016
Typhoon859I do. Smoother, less harsh, more pleasant overall. Far more power for high impedance headphones . Come join us at the Facebook group Headphone Amplifiers for more discussion .
Typhoon859
141
Dec 6, 2016
TravAndAlexDoesn't that depend relative to the headphones you're using? If you're using neutral sounding headphones, I imagine "smoother" would actually sound darker. And in terms of how power goes, I've used 600 Ohm headphones with it and I would blast my ears out if I tried to go above max volume, so I don't really see the point of any more excess.
The O2 is the furthest thing from harsh. The harshness of solid state amps mostly comes from the distortion they produce, as little as it is, usually in the higher frequencies, also making them sound less full-bodied. The O2 on the other hand pretty much just taps into the full potential of the headphones you pair with it. It's clean as hell and doesn't produce any harshness - not to say I don't have my problems with it. Tbh, I don't even particularly like it, just this would be an inaccurate description as to why.
Based on the account of the 336 of others I've heard, I understand it distorts to all hell. Even with even-ordered harmonics, lack of clarity and imaging being smudged across the stereo field isn't good, even if in other ways it may compliment the sound of headphones you may be matching it with.
TravAndAlex
5
Dec 6, 2016
Typhoon859"Based on all others' account of this amp..."
Are we really having this discussion when you haven't heard or own this amp?
I'm not interested in an argument dude. I own both. I prefer the sound of this amp with 600 Ohm Beyers and with HD650's. The O2 (which I happen to like) can be pretty polarizing, and isn't the last word in solid state in solid state amplifiers. The Darkvoice does not pair well with low impedance cans, but IMO it shines with the above headphones.
Typhoon859
141
Dec 6, 2016
TravAndAlexI absolutely haven't heard it. I actually prompted you for your view because I wanted to see if you had any legitimate counterpoints to what I've heard argued about it. I'd love to be convinced either way but there has to be some greater weight behind your view if one is to really consider it. I made the points I did to see how or what you would counter them with. If you're not interested in doing that, then fine, but unless the factors I brought up are accounted for, I don't think it would be a valid recommendation to make based on what your subjective experience is founded on.
Let me ask you this then: with the 650's, perhaps you've also heard the Little Dot MK III? If so, perhaps you can weigh in how it compares in your view. I would imagine that relative to the O2, you'd have the same things to say?
TravAndAlex
5
Dec 6, 2016
Typhoon859Chill out a bit. :)
You are aggressively arguing someone else's opinion on a piece of gear that you haven't heard. Seriously. You know how the old saying goes about opinions.
It may or may not speak to the validity of my opinion, but here goes: I own both the amps we are discussing (and 19 tubes for the Darkvoice), I'm a mod on the Headphone Amplifiers group (~2200 members) on FB and in charge of the reviews section, and I've used both amplifiers fairly extensively with a variety of decent headphones (Sennheiser, Grado, HiFiMan, Meze, Beyerdynamics).
I'm not attacking your viewpoint (or the views that you are expressing from other's opinions). I'm not belittling those opinions. I'm just presenting my impression and preference. Like anything, it is one person's opinion based on their experience and expertise.
I have not experienced any of the issues you have raised: smearing, lack of clarity, nor smudging. I've had good experiences with it and not so good. The O2 sounds better, no question about it with lower impedance headphones like the Grado's, HiFiMan and Meze. However the listening experience with the Senn HD 650's or the high impedance Beyers is (for me!) very, very good. Tube rolling allows for further subtle sound differences and improvements (like taming the Beyer 880's high end a tad). I have been absolutely satisfied with the 336. Are there better out there? Of course. But that doesn't discount that this is a fine sounding amp when paired with the appropriate headphone.
Seriously, there are lots of folks with A LOT more experience with different gear than I on the Headphone Amplifiers group. Perhaps they can present an opinion in a format that you would find more valid.
Typhoon859
141
Dec 6, 2016
TravAndAlexHow was I aggressively arguing it? At most, I was aggressively prompting you for more input out of interest in what you had to say, expressing my reservations in taking your comment(s) at face value.
" I'm not attacking your viewpoint (or the views that you are expressing from other's opinions). I'm not belittling those opinions." Never said or acted as if you were.
Regarding taming the Beyers, that's precisely what I was thinking of in my initial comment when talking about pairing. So in any case, I'm guessing you haven't heard the Little Dot then? I really only just got curious in specifically your opinion; that's why I prompted you. The purpose wasn't to just be incendiary for some reason...
TravAndAlex
5
Dec 6, 2016
Typhoon859Ok. I'm sorry. I clearly read tone into your questions. I apologize if I was incorrect.
I don't have experience with the Little Dot, so I can not comment. There are definitely Little Dot owners in the group that could give input.
If you have the chance, give the Darkvoice a listen. I think you might be pleasantly surprised.
Typhoon859
141
Dec 6, 2016
TravAndAlexAlright, no problem. Thanks regardless for your input!
TravAndAlex
5
Dec 6, 2016
Typhoon859Actually coincidentally there is a post (in Headphone Amplifiers) of this drop posted yesterday with the Little Dot discussed in the comments. Might well be worth the read.
DankusMemus
36
Dec 7, 2016
krazerTwo people on the internet that disagreed with each other are actually having a civilized conversation?!
search
tnut
5
Dec 7, 2016
krazerAnd quite informative one I should said. Seem like there's still hope for humanity after all.
g_v_l
77
Dec 10, 2016
TravAndAlexI just got mine today and also own the O2 and totally agree, the O2 would likely win on the test bench but I couldn't care less and as long as my ears are happy, and they are even with the crappy stock Chinese tubes, this thing will sing with some NOS RCAs.
Wamcky
12
Sep 24, 2017
krazer" way more better " Hahah
PRODUCTS YOU MAY LIKE
Trending Posts in Audiophile