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DarkVoice 336SE OTL Headphone Amp
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DarkVoice 336SE OTL Headphone Amp
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Product Description
Headphone amplifiers come in a variety of circuit designs, each with its own advantages and drawbacks, but there’s one main determining faction: distortion level. Credited with having the lowest possible distortion, Output Transformer-Less (OTL) headphone amps cut out a key part of conventional amplifier design to eliminate a major cause of audible distortion Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downA community member
Jun 30, 2018
Just wondering if those with hum issues have been able to solve them? I have a power conditioner and a slew of NOS tubes waiting for my unit to get here. I'm hoping my mullard 6080 and kenrad vt-231 pair well with my hd6xx.
Curlycat
33
Aug 9, 2019
That's really good to know. I did not know it is such an easy mod. Fortunately I don't have any humming tubes at the moment.
Danbstein
306
Dec 28, 2017
This amp is the PERFECT pairing with the HD 6XX (650). I was originally using a very good solid state Kyocera receiver (killer headphone out) with the 6XX. Once I got the darkvoice, it became my go-to amp for the 6xx. There's absolutely no comparison to solid state. Of course, solid state can work great with the right headphone (for example, most of my planars USUALLY sound better with a SS amp). But with the 6xx tubes are the way to go.. especially the Darkvoice which has the juice to properly drive them (the 6xx, in my experience, is VERY source dependent). The Darkvoice is an OTL amp which works best with high impedence cans. Plus, it uses the 6sn7 driver tube which is magical with the 6xx.
This is an exceptional amp that is a hell of a lot of fun to experiment with (this is where my love of tubes began). First of all the 6sn7 tube is a phenomenal tube (check this thread on headfi if you really want to learn about this tube https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-reference-6sn7-thread.117677/). Since buying the Darkvoice, I've purchased over 50 different 6sn7 tubes...all of them remarkably different from one another). I change them constantly depending on what I'm listening to. Obviously, you do NOT need 50 tubes to get alot out of this amp (but be careful of the tube bug... it's hit me really bad :) ).
If you get this amp, DEFINITELY replace the stock tubes. For the 6sn7, my favorites have been the vt231 varieties (pretty much all are good, but the Sylvania vt231 and Raytheon vt231 pair very well with the 6xx.. both are generally available in the $30-50 range... just be sure the seller has excellent feedback and experience selling tubes..and they should test as close to NOS as possible). Another tube I have really liked with the 6xx are ones made by Brimar (cv1988....the British variant of the 6sn7). The brimars can be pricey, so you'll need to be patient until you luck upon a deal. I got an amazing NOS Brimar from a seller in Cyprus for $35, but it took a while until that came along). There are also PLENTY of great 6sn7's under $20 (Sylvania 6sn7gta and national union 6sn7gt are two of my favorites in this range).
I also recommend changing the power tube. For about $20, the rca jan-6as7g is a very good bet. My favorites are the Tung Sol 5998 (can be pricey, but a decently priced one comes along every now and then) and lately I've really liked the tung sol 7236, which is VERY similar to the 5998 but can found for much less (I just picked up a very good one for $10).
I have found that different pairings of power and driver tubes make a big difference with the 6xx. My current favorite combination is the Sylvania vt231 and the Tung Sol 7236 (truly sublime). It's staggering how good this amp sounds with the right tubes and the right headphones.
A couple of other comments if you buy the Darkvoice. The 6sn7s tend to hum when you pop a "new" one in ("new" meaning you just bought it). In nearly all cases, unless the tube is defective, the hum will go away. The best way to get rid of hum is to remove the power tube (with the amp turned off of course), put the 6sn7 with the hum in and then turn on the amp. And then leave it on like this for several days straight (at worst a week). After doing that I haven't had the hum return for any of those tubes.
One final note... this time about the 6xx. I strongly recommend making some relatively easy mods that will truly bring out the best in these cans. I did the dynamat and felt mods recommended here: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/sennheiser-hd650-love.44/#post-446
Ok, that's enough for now
EDIT: Here is a link to 2 posts I wrote with specific tube recommendations and pictures:
https://drop.com/buy/dark-voice-366se/talk/2594378?utm_source=linkshare&referer=GKZXS5
AND: here's a post where I discuss OTL amps and planars: https://drop.com/buy/dark-voice-366se/talk/2590241?utm_source=linkshare&referer=GKZXS5
(Edited)
Cmnascimento
2
Mar 1, 2021
Dude, I ended up going your way and already bought a bunch of tubes.
I greatly improved the performance of Darkvoice.
But there is one thing I always ask myself.
Is it worth it to spend so much on tubes or would it be better to buy a better amplifier like LF339, for example?
Have you thought about it?
Melting735
0
Jun 15, 2021
CmnascimentoIt will will definitely not be better if you buy LF339 because you will end up buying more tubes for that amp, lol
turbomustang84
156
Jul 5, 2019
There are a lot of people that said their Darkvoice had build issues and static problems.
Has Massdrops version avoided those issues?
scottlu
346
Feb 20, 2021
this is the best way and only way to remove the hum without change the sound. other methods mentioned change the amp a lot.
pvrse
54
Mar 19, 2018
I have had this amp for a while now.
6080 tung sol NOS shanguang treasure for the 6ns7
That is where you can stop the tube rolling and call it there's nothing like it with the senheiser 600 series line. Trust me get those tubes and be amazed.
As for a dac I've tried high to low end, anything from the modi uber to the dragonfly cost area of a dac will suffice there's no need for anything costlier
6080 tung sol NOS shanguang treasure for the 6ns7
That is where you can stop the tube rolling and call it there's nothing like it with the senheiser 600 series line. Trust me get those tubes and be amazed.
As for a dac I've tried high to low end, anything from the modi uber to the dragonfly cost area of a dac will suffice there's no need for anything costlier
laurencerobinsontenor1
9
Jul 9, 2020
hi mate isn't the shuguang treasure just beautiful!!! wonderful sound immediately great tube!!!
AudioNoobster
16
Nov 2, 2016
Right? Same here for first mass drop ever. I've only began to break into being an audiophile. Went from Fidelio X2s To Sennheiser HD650s. I can't even touch the X2s anymore the HD650s are amazing. Picked up an Schiit Jotenhiem SS and figure I'll get a good month out of it to then compare with the DV. Zeos won me over when he reviewed it in his YouTube channel.
I know the DV doesn't do well with low impedance headphones but I picked up The Fostex T50RPs (50 ohm impedance) was wondering if anyone could enlighten me on why the DV isn't good with low impediencance headphones. I'm sure it can drive them (I think) but does it not sound good through low impedance headphones? Questions questions.
DiMora
263
Oct 25, 2018
What caps did you use to make the DV more suitable to lower impedance headphones? You are referring to the six burgundy colored ones?
Audiophiliac
86
Sep 19, 2016
As being an older TH336SE user, I would like to share some of my experiences with the people who joined the drop. After getting your 336SE use the amp in a well ventilated place away from anything that may be effected from heat as OTL tube amps produce good amounts of heat (as expected). Give a good burn-in time for your unit. Genearally 100 + hours will be ok for the unit to sound at its best. Do not start the operation while you're outside of the area. You may use 8h intervals. Try to replace the REAR tube as soon as possible because the stock rear tube is not so good (for my experience yours might be different). I highly recommend RCA 6AS7G military grade (SAC=Stratecig Air Command) tubes for the rear (see the pic for correct model). I have tried approx 10 different brand and models and these sound the best for the rear. For the front you may try some brands like Sylvania, RCA, Ken-Rad, etc. I have even tried 120 USD Psvane CV181TII tube for the front. Differences are small compared to the back tube. I love the very old 5 USD Philips 6SN7G (probably Mullard made) the most for the front. Some tubes may produce hum. If its only humming that may probably go away after some extra burn-in. For example my Philips 6SN7G tube hummed like crazy for the first 50+ hours and after about 100h the hum completely went away and now its my best-clearest and one of the most silent tube. The technology which you're purchasing is very old. So you need to take care with patience! Also your electric line (or chain) my cause some buzzing. I have tried 3 different 220V outlets in my home and one of them gave the best (most quiet) results. TH336SE is a great sounding and great looking amp!!! I simply can't live without it and miss it while I am at work. And a warning: Try not to shell out more money to the tubes. They generally change the sound in a very subtle way. You can get large amounts of information from the Darkvoice 336 tube rolling thread in head-fi. Also you may check the Fitz-Mod for 336 if you have any hum or buz sounds on your amp which didn't go away with the burn-in (just google: Fitz-Mod 336). Do not touch or try to remowe the tubes while they are hot. Cheers!
pvrse
54
Apr 24, 2018
The only tubes I'll ever need, this amp is INCREDIBLE with these two tubes.
mindhead1
599
Jul 12, 2018
Mine had a slight left channel hum, but it's close to silent now. Even new the hum wasn't distracting when music was playing.
Cokeman
1971
Apr 24, 2018
Darkvoice is pretty bad unless you roll the tubes. And even then, THD on this thing is crazy, 2%. Valhalla 2 is a better buy for sure.
Horseknight
179
Nov 2, 2018
An update for my first round of tube rolling (around $35 cost):
I replaced the Shuguang (originally stocked) 6SN7 with Tung-Sol 6SN7GTB. Immediately sound improved. Especially the trebles turned clean and detailed. I can hear wider-spaced and delicate details. Both Shuguang and Tung-Sol 6SN7GTB have loud hums at the beginning. It takes 48 hours of baking/burning-in for the stocked Shuguang 6SN7 to drop its humming. 
Sal4070uk
0
Feb 10, 2020
The standard ShuGuang a crock of S*** hose droppings and anyone that says " they're fine is either dead ,dumb or in denial
( better get some Cotton buds quick ) or sell the Darkvoice 336se get a metal dust bin & stick your head in it and bang it HARD for a really long time , problem solved lol , no honestly the basic valves ARE piss poor GREAT AMP THOUGH if you don't own one buy 1 it's a bloody bargain , it's a deal it's (the sale of the century) trust me ,just try one WOW
quooston
12
Oct 23, 2021
HorseknightThanks for this. I just purchased a Tung Sol 6SN7 GTB and SVETLANA 6AS7. The Tung Sol 6SN7 GTB is humming like crazy, as you said. I'm going to let it burn in nicely before I jump to any conclusions.
Having said that, the sound is is thicker, richer, smoother than the stock tubes for sure. I will hold onto the stock tubes though and swap out the power tube again to see, as you said that they pair well.
KTMD
195
Jun 30, 2016
I just got my DarkVoice today. I didn't believe the hype for tube amps. I thought it was just just smoke. This thing is gorgeous, it's huge compared to the Schiit gear. I can't even begin to describe the sound. With stock tubes, it's so warm and lush, the bass has impact. I didn't notice any drop in soundstage. Compared to the Magni Modi 2 Ubers, they sound so sterile and cold.
I just pulled out a few headphones to test it with, nothing serious. Just a HD650, T50RP3s, and even a budget Superlux 668B. On the Superlux, the headphones sounded like I had an equalizer running through them to color the sound. They didn't sound like $50 headphones. At this point, they sounded like my X2s. I wanted to see how it handled the planars, so I used the Mk3s and the bass was hitting hard and fast. I was surprised. Lastly, the Sennheisers I used. I can't even begin to describe the music. Imaging, soundstage, dynamics, clarity, warmth. It had all of this.
I'm excited to use my other sets, but if you're on the border and don't believe tube hype; get this! You wont regret it.
I just pulled out a few headphones to test it with, nothing serious. Just a HD650, T50RP3s, and even a budget Superlux 668B. On the Superlux, the headphones sounded like I had an equalizer running through them to color the sound. They didn't sound like $50 headphones. At this point, they sounded like my X2s. I wanted to see how it handled the planars, so I used the Mk3s and the bass was hitting hard and fast. I was surprised. Lastly, the Sennheisers I used. I can't even begin to describe the music. Imaging, soundstage, dynamics, clarity, warmth. It had all of this.
I'm excited to use my other sets, but if you're on the border and don't believe tube hype; get this! You wont regret it.
KTMD
195
Jul 11, 2016
Grab the SYS or all out and just upgrade the amp to something beyond a Magni. The Uber has so much more power and the headroom that opens a up is amazing, it's dynamic too.
VRMMMM
17
Jul 12, 2016
I still use and enjoy my Magni 2 Uber. It is great. For the price it is stupid great!
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