Darkvoice just released 332 - Page 62

Well, I was going to wait until the new year and get a Darkvoice 337 but I ended up ordering a GS-1 so I decided I better go with the DV 332 to keep my budget under control. Also, I was a little hesitant to send $700 to a ``random person'' in China... Right now I have a MF X-can v3 with upgraded PS and tubes that I will probably sell (assuming I like the DV 332 better). Although, after ordering, I saw that gradofan decided he/she liked the upgraded X-can better so now I am wondering if I should have ordered the 332 at all... sigh.

I won some tubes on ebay (a pair of Ulyanovsk 6C19P-V and a pair of Siemens 6AK5W with black plates). Hopefully these will make for a nice upgrade to the amp.

Unfortunately, the amp is not shipping until tomorrow (Dec 14) and I am going out of town at the end of the week for the holidays. I hope it shows up before I leave. I ordered the amp through Jasmine. For the USAers, how long did it take you to get your amp once it shipped (I live in Houston, TX). Did you have to sign for it? What company was it sent through?

I have a 332 and a fully modded X-CAN V3, and the 332 (with the right tubes) betters it in every respect. Both are very good amps, but, to my ears, the 332 has more power, more attack and drive, and more openess. This of course depends on what cans you have: with the HD650s the 332 is superb, the X-CAN V3 very good; with Grados the 332 isn't at its best, while the X-CAN V3 is still very good.

I can't speak for Gradofan, but his statement about the X-CAN V3 bettering the 332 was later revised, and the superiority of the X-CAN put down to the effects of an X-10 V3 tube buffer.

Delivery to the States should, in theory, be quicker from China. I recently ordered a DV FIGARO, and to the UK it took four days. It shouldn't take any longer than that, and, hopefully, should take less. You will have to sign for the package.

Time for me to chime in on the thread WRT Grado's

I have a pair of semi vintage RS-1's and was initially amazed at the 332. However as other have noted it can sound harsh, though I found this certain recordings only.

Examples of this include Guns and Roses - Appetite for Destruction and Frampton Comes Alive 25th Anniversary edition. These were uncomfortable

Tube rolling helped and the Tung Sol 6AK5 was the best at taming the harshness but unfortunately a bit bass shy

However 2 days ago the Ericsson w403's arrived and a heavenly plateau has been reached - the harshness tamed but none of the drive and energy lost. (all these with the Svetlana's)

This amp is way ahead of the Arietta and the Graham Slee Solo Green(which was a poor second to the Arietta)

I mostly use 650s and Darth Beyers right now. I also have a bunch of other cans that I will try out with the DV332. It's too bad that it will probably arrive just when I am leaving for the holidays. By the way, I read in the 337 thread about some tubes arcing in the 337 and damaging the drivers of a K701. Has anyone had trouble with tubes failing and damaging their precious headphones?

Has anyone tried Darth Beyers with the 332 (or at least Beyer 770/80s)?

You Will Be Pleased...

You will be very pleased with the DV332 - it reflects all the qualities Godkin describes. And in many respects it does seem superior to the PF XCAN v3 that I had.

The one instance in which I thought the PF XCAN v3 was at least equal, if not better - was with 1 or 2 specific recordings, with which it seemed to provide amazing refinement, detail and soundstage. That might have been the effects of the X10 v3 Tube Buffer with my overall set up - or, it could have been "seller's remorse" - whatever.

And the PF XCAN v3 did seem to drive my Grados a bit better... though... the DV332 was far superior with my HD650's. And the Grados do sound good with most recordings with the DV332... though... they sound a bit rough with a few selected recordings, which emphasize highs.

If I was forced to choose between the two amps... I would still choose the DV332, because of the qualities Godkin describes.

And... I find the Tung Sols with the Svetlanas to be superb... with outstanding bass (extended and tight with impact and power), as well as other great SQs, which I like better than the Mullards, or RCAs (haven't tried the WE 403As).

Any problems with tubes arcing in the 332?

As I said, I read in the 337 thread that someone had a problem with a tube arcing in the 337 and damaging his headphones.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/3434402-post166.html

Should I be worried about this with the stock tubes and/or with other tubes in the 332? If so, should I start up the amp without headphones plugged in?

Not That I've Seen...

I've not seen any posts about DV332 tubes arcing.

I have a few pairs of NOS Uly 6S19P-V/B for sell in the FS forums, see sig.

As Gradofan says, no problems reported in this thread about tubes arching with the 332.

I don't know what it is about the Ericssons that mates so perfectly with the Svetlanas in this amp, but I know I was gutpunched when I tried them. LOTS of 6AK5s and 403Bs sound wonderful in this amp thru the HD650s, but the Swedes do something to the overall tone and especially the soundstage that simply can't be described adequately (not by me, in any case). In addition, they do something to the recorded human voice that no other system I've ever had does as well. Listen to Calabria Foti with this system on and try to convince yourself your not sitting across the table from her!

I'm glad I found a spare set.

Thanks for that, Bouuddha and Hawkhead. I haven't tried the ERICCSON 403s, but have experimented with the WE403Bs: one of the very best in my opinion. I must try and get myself a pair.

where can I get some ERICSSON 403

if anyone got a pair of Ericsson 403 they can let go please pm me. THX

chesebert-

I stumbled on an eBay auction listing them about a month ago. There's a listing for a singleton with a Buy-it-now of $6.00, I think. I gave $9.95 for my pair(s).

I didn't realize Ericsson even made tubes!

Godkin-

The Ericssons sound more like the WE403Bs than anything else, but with the added soundstage and presence. The Western Electrics are certainly no slouches in either regard, so the Swedes came as a serendipitous bonus to what was an already astounding system. I'm awestruck every night as I put the 650's on and flip that switch. Just last night I noticed some acoustic guitar work in addition to Page's electric axe on a Led Zeppelin number that was apparently too subtle and delicate for most systems to pick up on...I'd certainly never heard it before.

Have a couple of Ericsson 6AK5's on their way from Sweden.

Looking forward to compare them to my Mullard M8100's.

Not many left of those Ericsson tubes it seems. I was lucky getting a pair off ebay...

Silly me - should have kept quiet and snapped them all up :]