DarkVoice 336 SE Review (THAT TUBE LIFE)

[@jasonkong1000]

My favorite tubes for my DV are the RCA 6AS7G and CBS-Hytron 5692. This pair is basically perfect for my Senn cans. However, the CBS 5692 is quite expensive and kind of hard to find. A recommendation from DMS: RCA 6AS7G with Tung-Sol Reissued 6SN7GTB. This is the first pair I tried with my DV and I quite enjoyed it. This pair adds a lot of warmth to the sound. The issue with the Tung-Sol is the left channel humming. As someone else has mentioned in the comment, most preamp tubes take about 24 to 48 hours of single-tube burn-in to eliminate the left channel hums. The Tung-Sol takes about 5 days to completely eliminate the humming. Another pair I used for a while and quite enjoyed: Sovtek New 6AS7G and Sylvania Jan 6SN7WGT. I really like these with my HD 580 and HD 800s. They sound fine with my HD 600, but not as great as the two combos mentioned previously. I also have some new production Chinese tubes from Shuguang, but I haven't got a chance to try them yet.

[@DaGleese]

Would be interested in seeing a few variations in tube rolling options. Most just tell you what they did and make out like that's the only way to go, I would really like to see a few of the more popular options set against one another outlining the advantages / disadvantages of each combination. I just got mine too, I guess we both ordered in the most recent Drop cycle.

[@chuckolatte600]

Lol yep

[@suhaib1249]

As a fairly new owner of DV336SE, I look forward to the second part of this video. Please do it soon. Enjoyed this video, great stuff!

[@joeb3619]

Awesome way of reviewing I love how you put not only the songs but also the exact times. Great way to compare for ourselves!

[@BustRadioMyths]

The distortion tubes produce is even order harmonics which is one of the reasons they sound so good. Plug an acoustic guitar string produces harmonics. I don't hear that with solid state.

[@beepover]

Bought my Darkvoice about 10 yrs ago when it was called Massdrop. Tube rolled and using a Sylvania front tube. Stock Power Tube. Make sure your cable connections are clean, cause that can cause noise. Clean the tube pins also as dirty pins can cause noise. Otherwise it has been excellent and no issues for 10 yrs. It has great Synergy with the HD650. but no so much with the HD600. Just pluged in some Chfi IEM's recently and I do notice a bit of noise. But with headphones I have never heard any noise. Yes 100% tube roll cause the stock tubes do not sound that good. I went through maybe 4 or 5 tubes and found a great many years ago. And yes you do have to burn in. Some tubes the noise will go away but if I remember one tube the hum never went away. Also this thing is powerful. Start at the bottom and slowly move up after a minute as Cuckolatte recommends. This past year been discovering Chifi IEM's. So it's been a great journey with the Chfi IEM's. Also just about all my IEM hum or white noise with the Dark Voice. This is not for IEMs. The synergy is dv with hd650. I do not find it has synergy with the hd600. This is a very specific amp. It is not an all rounder. Buyer beware!

[@chuckolatte600]

"Cuckolatte" XD

[@iansoares3404]

Nice review as usual. I love my Darkvoice! Had it since Christmas and now my HD600 and 6XX only get used with the Darkvoice. It’s a shame to not use both headphones without tubes. To me they were meant as tube headphones and the Darkvoice is an excellent pairing.

[@Reeeepicheep]

Between the HD600 and 6XX, do they both sound equally awesome on the tubes, or does one shine over the other? I plan on only using my tube amp and I'm trying to figure out which headphone to grab first and I'm hearing that the 600s are slightly better sounding on tubes compared with the 6XX. What are your thoughts?

[@iansoares3404]

@@Reeeepicheep If I had to pick one it would be the HD600

[@ErowidofvaultS]

not all planars are equal. i love this amp for classic rock on my planar lcd-2 classics. upgrade tubes and you can get better soundstage

[@ntraxmartin]

Same with me. It sounds fantastic. Rolled with Tungsol GTB and RCA Black.

[@daviewavie112]

Ever compare the dv to a hybrid tube amp using planars?

[@bmxpeter8]

I have the same setup as you, Darkvoice / LCD-2 and for Live Jazz performance, it is outstanding. Those planar requires plenty of power to be driven which the amp provide plenty of. Just gotta try different tubes to find the perfect sound for you.

[@leninreddy]

Have you considered Schitt Lyr 3 ? Eagerly waiting for part 2

[@Rsalmond83]

RCA 6AS7G and Westinghouse 6SN7GTB with “o” top getter and yellow letters on base!!!

[@Reeeepicheep]

Hi! Which was the more immersive and enjoyable listening experience on the darkvoice between the HD600 and 560s?

[@chuckolatte600]

Honestly, I preferred the HD560s on the DV more than the HD600. I can listen to the HD560s either through solid state or tubes, depending on my mood. Though I feel the HD600 get a bit too warm with tubes (at least with the stock tubes).

[@danterikxx]

yeah, Deathstranding was really cool. Very unique, if you like walking lol. what headphone did you used while playing it?

[@chuckolatte600]

I used the AKG K7XX lol--they're my go-to for gaming at my console/TV setup.

[@danterikxx]

@@chuckolatte600 with so many headphones to choose from, why not take the 600, the 800s, the Aryas, etc? Also, you should do that video: best headphones by application, like gaming, movies, just music, mixing, etc

[@chuckolatte600]

@@danterikxx Mainly because of their top-tier comfort and relatively-smooth FR for a chill experience. Also pretty decent sub-bass for excitement. And that's a GREAT idea! If I make that video, want me to give you a quick shout-out for the idea?

[@danterikxx]

@@chuckolatte600 it's up to you man :)

[@sockhopsinger]

This is totally tubular! Interesting question. Speaking to someone who has never even touched a tube amp, how hard is it to roll tubes? Would you be able to do it without looking?

[@pascaljean2333]

its easy to roll, turn off device, use a cloth and pull out old tube, and put new tube in, turn it back on.

[@beepover]

The only hard thing is your pocket book. Until you find the right tube, it will cost you. Check online and buy a few recommended tubes until you find a tube that works for you and your Headphones. Also this is a hobby so tube rolling to me part of the journey of tube amps.

[@reckulurn3038]

What is a good dac to pair with the Darkvoice? Thanks in advance for any info

[@chuckolatte600]

Really just about anything. Though I would recommend a DAC with remote control volume control since you probably won't want to touch the dial on the Darkvoice once it's set lol (very sensitive)

[@reckulurn3038]

@@chuckolatte600 I plan on using my 6xx and 560s on the Darkvoice that I just ordered. Looking to possibly upgrade to the HD 600 or 660s do they pair well with the Darkvoice? Thanks for your last reply!!

[@mattiasironi8788]

WOW

[@chuckolatte600]

YES

[@kennethoransky4881]

Be aware that when you add a new tube to the Darkvoice the amp will hum. Always burn in a new tube for 24 to 48 hours before doing any listening tests. ( Advice from a longtime Darkvoice owner.)

[@suhaib1249]

I was told to remove power tube and let it run for 3-4 days which I did and there was no hum. Before that left channel had it if I recall correctly. You don’t want to leave power tube on especially if you have young kids or pets, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. 😆

[@kennethoransky4881]

@@suhaib1249 Yes, you can remove the power tube if you want, but I never had to wait 3 or 4 days. 2 was the most I had to wait.

[@suhaib1249]

@@kennethoransky4881 consistency isn’t a strong forte of Chinese tech 😉 To be fair, I just left it on and didn’t bother for 3-4 days, possible it was ready sooner.

[@ErowidofvaultS]

depends on the tube, some ive had only take 2 days, some have taken a full 3 days

[@jasonkong1000]

@@suhaib1249 NOS tubes usually take about 1 - 2 days to eliminate the hum. New production tubes seem to take longer.

[@bernardoblanchetramirez6032]

Sooo, how did the tube rolling go?

[@chuckolatte600]

It hasn't haha. honestly I barely even use the DV because I just don't care for "altering the sound"

[@soulfulfool]

@@chuckolatte600 those cheap china tube amps can really fk up the sound but there are better amps and better tubes that can make wonders, at the end maybe its not altering the sound maybe it was suppose to sound like this, the most expensive Senns got dedicated tube amp you never thought about it? creators of it are aware that tube is the way to drive them