[Godkin]

I found BOYIER good to deal with, and my transaction with them went very smoothly. Don't be too surprised if nothing happens for a while, it usually takes them about a week (5 days) to ship.

 

[AntiGeek]

Quote:

Originally Posted by arie123 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Funny detail difference: the transformer hood in my case is grey, not black as on this picture. What about the one on yours Luckyfrog?

Hello,

The one I am just testing is battleship grey.

 

[AntiGeek]

OK, some observations on the Sonic Differences between the 332c and 332s using Svetlana and Ericsson 403b tubes.

The 332s appears to have far more gain on the volume controls than the 332c. The 332s is not really suitable for low impendance cans because of this as the volume goes up too quickly.

The 332c suites my K701 and Superlux hd681 cans better sonically besides the differences in gain.

Through the same cans, the 332s is warmer sounding and less transparant than the 332c. Transparancy appeared to improve marginally after 12 hours burn in time though not enough for my personal tastes.

As has been said, the 332c appears to have been designed to be much better with lower impendence cans and the 332s for higher impendence cans.

It would have been interesting to compare them both with some HD650 cans (I shall have to buy myself some..)

 

[gbacic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godkin /img/forum/go_quote.gif Massive amount of info to digest on the 332 thread, Mullet. But from memory, the best signal tubes were: WE and ERICSSON 403Bs; PHILIPS/MULLARD M8100s and CV4010s; RCA JRC 6AK5Ws; TUNG-SOL 6AK5Ws; SYLVANIA 5645Ws, and the Soviet 6J1P-EVs weren't bad and very reasonably priced. The larger, rectifing tubes are a matter of personal preference: some liked the ULYANOVSK 6S19Ps and 6S19P-Vs, and others, like myself, perferred the SVETLANA 6S19Ps and 6S19P-Vs.

My Raytheon CK5654's sound better than the 6AK5's that I have. I find they have better separation and better sound stage. I'll have to do more listening to make a final decision, though.

 

[Audict123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AntiGeek /img/forum/go_quote.gif The 332s appears to have far more gain on the volume controls than the 332c. The 332s is not really suitable for low impendance cans because of this as the volume goes up too quickly.

With my Valab DAC and HD650 headphones, the gain is also very high. 9 O'clock is about the highest I get with softly recorded cds. That's not very practical and I dislike to use Mediamonkey's equalizer/volume control because than I loose bitperfect playback. I ordered -14db attenuator cinch plugs for the DAC output to have a more practical control range.

 

[BigTony]

If memory is correct, not all tube types have the same gain,so there is always the possibility to use lower gain tubes.

 

[ogygia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godkin /img/forum/go_quote.gif Mullet, don't get confused. I'm not talking in theoretical terms: I own a 3322 with 40uF per channel output caps (VISHAY) and it still sounds great with the HD650s, better than the old 332. Remember, the 332 range of amps was designed with the HD650s in mind. There's not point DV or LA FIGARO destroying an amp's formidable reputation with high impedance headphones, but there's certainly a need for them to enhance its performance with low impedance ones.

3322 sound great with my HD650 as well!
so 332c should fit with HD650 on spec. But the coupling capacitor which is one of the most important parts for sound quality, is an unknown one. But there are some DIY-er acquired good quality by using some camera flash capacitor. So time will tell...

 

[BigTony]

Well my 332S arrived this morning, even the courier was surprised i was in! (thanks LuckyFrog Audio!).
Spent the day playing to no-one, getting settled into its new home - blissfully cheering up my DT770s.

Initial too-brief-impressions.... that old magic with the HD650s is sweeeeet, ah so sweet - better than my memory of the DV332. Even my beyers sound awesome..

Going to get some hours on the amp and tube selection before i do a more in-depth review.

One thing out of the box - very loud.. i hardly turn the volume pots and my head is pounding - i had to attenuate the DAC output by 30-50%.

 

[Mullet]

So would it be in my best interest to pick up the Svetlana 6S19 tubes? I picked up a matched quad of the Ulyanovsk 6S19-Vs on eBay. I either will buy the Svets or want to trade with someone on here -- 2 Ulys for 2 Svets.

Are the Svets that much better than the Ulyanovsks?

 

[Godkin]

No, not better, just slightly different, and it's up to your own personal taste which one you prefer. The SVETs are warmer, more organic in presentation, while the ULYs are more neutral and detailed.

 

[Mullet]

I've sourced 2 Ericsson 403Bs from a local ham radio shop. The guy wants $40/each or $80 for both. Do you guys think that's worth it?

 

[Godkin]

Yes, that's about the average price, but I've seen them cheaper.

 

[Godkin]

Yes, that's about the average price, but I've seen them cheaper.

 

[BigTony]

They have a mighty reputation!

Loving the 332S - trying to figure out the best way to reduce the gain - its way to loud for any of my cans; for comparison i turn my Jade to hi-gain, then crank the pot upto 4pm to get the same volume!

 

[Audict123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigTony /img/forum/go_quote.gif Loving the 332S - trying to figure out the best way to reduce the gain - its way to loud for any of my cans!

I ordered a pair of -14 db rca (cinch) attenuators for that, but I'm still waiting for them. The exact volume reduction with these attenuators depends on the output and input impedances of the devices its connected to, so I'll have to wait and see what happens. Being passive components, sound quality should suffer very little.