@Lumos.   You cannot connect your HP's directly to this DAC. The DAC must be connected to an amplifier,then your HP's plug into the amplifier.  

@Virgo, I would'nt bother with the silmic II,I have both the original and the silmicII versions,I really like the original but the silmicII was a disappointment to me, it has a larger soundstage and a nice open sounding top end but the bass was a bit of a mess,soft and flabby sounding...

I had a similar problem a while ago,identifying my 990's,here's a link.   http://www.head-fi.org/t/487623/i-jus-got-the-dt990-600-ohm

You used the dacmagic's psu on this dac? You realise that the dacmagic psu puts out a/c not d/c. Definitely not suitable as far as i know.

Any of you guys had this dac die using an after market psu? When i first got one of these several months ago, it ran warm/hot with the original psu,which later died after 2 weeks use(left on 24/7). I then replaced it with a maplins 12v psu ,since then it never gets more than warm to touch...

Langrex have 5998's ,bit pricey though,   http://cgi.ebay.ie/5998-JAN-TUNG-SOL-NOS-/310296108322

I use elna silmic ii output caps ,which i believe are polarised,so it shouldn't be a problem

Yes it was posted in the U.K.,ordered it on a Monday night ,got it Wednesday afternoon,they don't seem to be selling many,if you can believe the counter.

That info ties in nicely with what ive read   I think i was thrown a little when you said "the only thing that could damage the dac is a reverse current feed from amp back to dac for whatever the reason" ive not run across that problem in any of my reading. I was going to do this mod...

I found the store on ebay i bought mine from, have versions using four different caps on the output. Of course they are charging £5 extra for these tweaked versions. ebay link

Hi scottiebabie,I think you misunderstand what that cap does in this circuit, Im no electrical engineer but from what i have read the cap is there to filter/block any dc voltage from reaching your amp, The signal is ac voltage,but can have some dc voltage polluting the ac signal and the caps...

Ive had my muse for 3 or 4 months now,i leave it on all the time it never gets hot to touch only warm,after 2 weeks the psu died,I replaced it with another from maplins and had no problems with it at all luckily  

all you need to know is here :- http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/336151/proposed-darkvoice-337-dedicated-tube-rolling-thread   be aware the se model uses different tubes in the rear sockets fromm the std 337,i think its mentioned later on in the thread.  

@ voodoohao.   I notice the same thing with my 337. different tubes don't seem to make any difference,sometimes left is hotter and vice versa, as you say it doesn't seem to affect the sound quality. my dv is about 18mths old now and has always been this way from new. I haven't been...

Use a small brush. i.d say a cotton swab is a definite no-no,if it snags the stylus (needle) ,it wont be pretty.