Darkvoice just released 332 - Page 15

Guys, Maybe a little off topic, but i have been lurking here for almost the entire thread as i am trying to figure out what to get for my first tube amp. But i am still wonder what the, or how much difference there is between the 332 and the woo 3+ or woo 6 and if the cost of the woo might be worth it????

Ideas/comments?

i would also like to see a listing of the tubes that you guys have settled on in your 332's and why?

I replaced my preamp tubes yesterday. No difference that is easy to pick-up, but I do feel like the bass is now where it should be (and I don't think its me getting used to the sound sig).

Honestly I could forget about changing the other tubes and enjoy this sound for the rest of my time with phones =] (But I got some Svetlanas on the way, so hell, why not).

No experience with the Woos, but I can highly recommend the Darkvoice 332. My current preamp tubes are JAN 5654, while power tubes are still stock, and I've nothing to complain about with the sound, everything is where I like it. I just wish I had more soundstage - but thats my phones.. xD (and this is coming from a person who heard Stax SR-404 through McAllister ). (although we won't know until the head-fi meet, this amp might be synergetic with hd595)

Sorry, like Malos, I haven't heard either the WOO AUDIO 3 or 6, but they are certainly very highly regarded in audio circles, so you can't go wrong there. Cost too there is not that much of a difference: the 332 retails at around £230 ($450) and the WOOs at £250 ($495) and £295 ($570). Both the 332 anf the WOOs are similar in design, by which I mean they are very simple designs. Component quality in both is also very good, although the WOO has a very nice ALPS pot.

For the money, the 332 is a great little amp, and as you are already pretty familiar with this thread you will know our thoughts on that front.

Tube rolling is always a great way to alter and improve the sound of the 332, and I'm sure the same would be true of the WOOs (although the WOO 3's use of the 6922/6DJ8 is highly attractive because there are plenty of good quality alternatives out there). The rectifying tubes I've personally found good are either the SVETLANA 6S19P-Bs or the ULYANOVSK 6S19P-Vs. Not much choice there - which is both a good and a bad thing - but with the smaller signal tubes you are much better off. Basically, anything is better than the stock 6J1s, but my favourites are the the MULLARD M8100s, the RCA 5654/6AK5Ws, the MULLARD EF95s, and at the minute I'm running in a pair of MULLARD CV4010s - basically the same tube as the M8100 but made for the British military. Others contributers recommend the SYLVANIA 6AK5Ws and the RAYTHEON RASCALS 5654. In the end, it comes down to personal preferences - like everything audio then.

how are the CV versions of the Mullard 4010s btw?
(still waiting for mine to arrive, shipped from UK to US)...

I need a bigger headphone, hd595 is excellent but curiosity is a never-ending curse of a head-fier. k701 or w5000 on the radar xD

The MULLARD/PHILIPS M8100 is the more durable, better engineered version of the EF95: both are commerical tubes made for commerical purposes. The CV4010 is truly military valve, designed specifically for the British Ministry of Aviation (BMA), which in todays world is the Ministry of Defence and the RAF. Basically, both the same tube, just one is a commerical valve, the other military.

I think you ordered from the same people as me, Malos. Obviously, mine have already arrived as I live in the UK. They sound really good - up there with the very best. They are also in pristine conditon. Mine come from a batch made in Feburary 1966.

I personally am drawn towards the K701s. I've heard great things about them. Another set of cans I've heard good things about are the modestly priced GOLDRING DR-150s (£60). Be interesting to see how another set of lower impedance cans sound with the 332.

Seems like we are in the same boat of curiosity about what exactly 332 can do =] I am really tempted by the woody/liquid sound texture of w5000

If your minds set on the W5000s, then go for it.

I'll hang back a while on the K701s - cash is being seriously diverted into a house extension.

Have you ever thought about any of the BEYER cans? I've heard they are very good with the 332.

yes..waiting for the meet ^.^

Well guys you did it. i'm waiting for a response to my offer to jasmin chine. I think that i will order some 8100's up right away. Has anyone seen anybody selling the 6S19P-Vs in quantities less than 8-10?? or do we want that many to find a good pair?

tell me if this is impossible or stupid. I really want to mod the case front and make a wood front panel. Does the front come off and can anyone think of a reason to not do it?

i'm also waiting on some k701's. Northern sound is backordered, but cheap. anyone heard of anybody who is similar pricing but maybe in stock?

How much is Northern? I inquired with them but got no response yet (it was today so >.<)

I could not find the tubes you mention in smaller numbers, but I did order my portion (8 O.o), I can share. (Svetlanas xD, did not arrive yet though)

244.50 I believe. They are hoping to get more in by March 15th, but they did not sound really confident.

I can find 270 as next closest, one head-fier trying to sell his for 265 (lil does he know about northern lol)

There's a seller on eBay that allows Best Offer. If you send him an email and tell him that NS&L has them for $244, he'll tell you that he can't beat the price, but he can match it. It's a store located in California, though I forgot the name of the seller.

Going off-topic lol, its DV 332 here
(Can't find the seller you are talking about + I live in California so I avoid buying in Cali cause of tax)

It's a real pain the the arse selling tubes in these huge ammounts. I suppose the sellers would justify themselves by saying that they buy in bulk so they sell in bulk. My cupboards are bursting with the things. I think a good idea is for a few 332 owners to get together and buy for themselves.

I've tried a few of these SVETLANA and ULYANOVSK 6S19P-Bs and I haven't got a bad match yet - no hum, no nothing. These essentially military tubes are made to very strict tolerances, and I don't think there is much chance of getting a really bad pair.

Cosmetic mods are always good, but one persons beautiful is anothers persons ulgy. Personally, I'd like my 332 to be silver (I found out after buying my 332 that they'd made them in silver) with a nice, thick piece of brushed aluminium on the front.