Darkvoice just released 332 - Page 35

Hi Folks,
Been reading your extremely interesting comments here for the last couple of weeks. Those comments made me buy a 332 and believe it or not, it got in TODAY!
I'm impressed! Ok, I have no other amps to compare to, this one has been powered for merely 3 hours and it uses the stock Chinese tubes and I must say I'm impressed, really am. I had the Sennheiser 650 for a couple of months and I was looking for something decent to drive it; I looks like I found it!

Cheers from sunny Belgium.

Glad you like it. Now replace your tubes as the stock ones sounded pretty bad to me.

Welcome Meloman. The 332 is a cracker of an amp. And from now on it only gets better: DARKVOICE recommend around 50 hrs to run the amp in, but I found out that it was much longer - about 200-300 hrs. You've got the right cans for the 332. I have the 650s as well and they sound sweet. Next comes the tube rolling. And the 332 gets better again.

Yes, I do realise that at some stage I'll have to replace the standard tubes with better ones. Thing is that _even_ with standard tubes and no burn-in time at all, it sounds fabulous.

I did a fair bit of reading about tube rolling here and I think I got the most important details about that (I may get back to you guys though...) but there's one thing which is not exactly clear to me. Do I wait for the amp to get past the burn-in time before starting the tube rolling or do you recommend to do it right away ?

Sigh. Some WE403b's on ebay with no bidders that look to be going cheap (Here) US seller that doesn't take paypal though. I can't be bothered sorting out a money order, too much for my brain to handle

Does anyone have a link for somewhere to check date codes of Western Electric tubes, i couldn't find anything. Also, has anyone tried Northern Electric 403b's? The canadian subsidiary of WE as i understand it.

Whatever takes you fancy, Meloman. There are no set rules. I always think it's better to listen to the 332 on the stock tubes, get to know the amp, it's strengths and weaknesses. Then when you replace them you can assess the changes the new valves make.

That makes sense indeed. My doubt was also partly based on the possible necessary break-in time of other (than tubes) parts.

Good point, Meloman. But it doesn't stop you starting to look for better valves.

Dub Skylarkings-

I was unfortunately sans computer when that auction for those WE 403Bs closed, and all four sold for $4.99! I had been looking for a solid month for those tubes, and thought of visiting some serious bodily harm on my aging padre for jerking the rug out from under me. I was minutes away from owning those...

Ah unlucky bOUddha!

I spent about 2 minutes trying to figure out how to obtain an appropriate money order, but it was obvious it wasn't going to be worth the hassle.

Looks like someone got a bargain. We best keep looking

My DV332 Arrived... But...

Well... it arrived about 5 days (including the weekend) after it was shipped.

Communications and shipment tracking were fine, package arrived unmolested, and the amp is... indeed beautiful.

And... the price was great at $390 shipped to my door from this eBay vendor... "3c-store."

So... "what's not to like?"

Except for... despite the fact that I specified the 110 volt US version (and they shipped it to the US with only 110 volt service), yet they sent me the 240 volt version! What total incompetence and lack of QC over their distribution processes!

I've notified them of their error, and requested that they air express for overnight delivery, the correct 110 volt US version I ordered (at their cost), as well as send me a prepaid shipping label to return the incorrect amp. I've also advised them that if the issue is not resolved by 8/23/07 (tomorrow), I'll file my claim with eBay / PayPal for a full refund, and will not return their amp, until they send me the prepaid shipping label.

We'll see how they respond.

I'll keep you informed.

But... until then... my suggestion to anyone thinking of "saving a few bucks" by purchasing from "3c-store" on eBay is to - just don't do it for now! Buy from Casque HiFi, or Jasmine HiFi, or some other proven vendor, who has a proven track record.

"Caveat emptor."

Sorry to hear about that. There is always the option of a step-down transformer, though that hardly deals with the sellers ****-up.

What surprises me is that there are no distributors for DARKVOICE in the US or indeed Europe. Hifi Casque are a European company, but they ship their 332s from China. Then, I suppose, we would have to pay a premium for their "services."

Hmmn... Not Bad....

Well, I took "Godkin's" advice and got a voltage converter to at least "give it a try," while I am waiting for a resolution of the issue by "3c-store."

As they say... "right out of the box" the 332 sounds pretty good... even with the stock tubes and no burn-in (only 30 minutes of warm-up) with my modified Senn HD580/600's and my MMF CD25 1+ (didn't want to risk my better DAC's and phones at this point). It does tend to "wake up" the dark, slow sounding Senns. Trying my AD2000's, which are fairly low impedence phones (about 40 hz) - it also sounds pretty good. They don't seem to suffer much distortion from insufficient current - if any, as can occur with some OTL amps (e.g. WA3). At this early stage of burn-in, the highs do seem a bit brittle / harsh, though clear, especially with the AD2000's. Bass is pretty solid and full, and the mids full and warm.

I'm not prepared to say it sounds better than my main set-up (with my PinkFloyd XCAN v3) - but, if burn in, and better tubes makes a difference - I'd say it is possible that it will.

It has lots of slam, and extension at both ends, as well as detail, and a pretty spacious soundstage. Right now it sounds a bit too "atmospheric," or "bloomy," or "rubbery" and may have a bit too much "reverb," which makes all frequencies sound like they may need to be "tightened down a bit." Hopefully, that will settle down quite a bit, as it burns in, and with the right tubes - and that's not the OTL qualities shining through. That's why I like the PinkFloyd XCAN v3 so much - is it's nice tight, solid, focused, yet textured tone body and warmth without excessive "bloom" and "atmosphere."

But... we'll see.

Right now... I'm more concerned with obtaining a resolution from "3c-store."

Who knows... If I hear nothing back... I may just end up with a "free DV 332" - because you may be certain I will obtain my refund from either PayPal, or Mastercard. And, I will not be sending this unit back, until they send me a prepaid shipping label.

Finally Heard from "3c-store"...

They shipped my unit to a buyer in the UK, and I got his.

2 unhappy customers.

They're gonna take a beating (financially) on this "screw-up." Or, their courier is.

I'll let you know when they figure out how they're going to resolve the issue.

I can tell you though - I'm not spending another cent on resolving the issue, and I'm not letting this unit go, until I receive mine in good form, overnight.


They "****ed" with the wrong Marine" this time.

sorry to inform you but you are not allowed to keep products that's not yours. ie if you are seeking a refund. The store has the right to demand their goods back before/after refunding you the money. You are really not allowed to have something for nothing unless it's a gift, and I doubt MC would indulge your arguments either.

Someone correct me if I am wrong:
1. I don't think stores have an obligation to pay for product return shipping, albeit some do it because they have excellent customer service.

2. I don't think stores would send out another product of the same kind (advanced replacement) without first charge your credit card for the amount and later deduct that same amount after receipt of the returned product.

3. I believe it is up to the individual store to determine as to how much they charge for restocking the product (within reason or commercially acceptable standard).

But I do feel bad about your situation, and I hope you get it resolved.

My advise to you is see if they are willing to pay for the transformer you bought to operate the 240V machine (I am guessing its around $20 if you buy it off ebay)