Valve headphone amps for Sen 600 / 650

Nic Rhodes · 09-01-2009, 11:02 AM

Fancied a change, and was looking at a new valve headphone amp for Sennheisser 580 Jubilee / 600 / 650 headphones and was wondering whether there was any user feedback on these options, as there are several potential options here.

I could 'bolt' some DIY Resistors on the output of a conventional valve amp (which I have) and drive the headphones from the speaker outputs via my 'box' unless someone knows of a commercial equivalent to this?.

Little Dot IV SE
Darkvoice 336SE

Any others I should look at?

Budget say upto £300

My biggest concern re the Chinese stuff is the 220v supply, my house voltage is 252v and therefore they would there need some 'remidial' work. Capability to roll a must!

There are several people refering to the Darkvoice and Little Dot but wondered whether anyone had them here?

THANKS

**alexs2** · 09-01-2009, 11:13 AM

Hi Nic...there are loads of these far east tubed headphone amps around currently although the Little Dot and Darkvoice do appear to be getting the best of the reviews.

Most seem reliable although the concerns about Uk voltages do continue to be a bit of a worry,although most of us don't have anything like 250V!...you must be nearer to the transformers than I am,as I'm lucky if I get more than 230V here.

£300 will cover most of these and the Earmax Pro just about meets that,and you could also look at the MF-Xcans although it would be previous as opposed to the current version if you wanted to change the tubes.

The only relevant commercial example of what you've described that I know of is used by Cary in the form of extra taps on the output transformers of one of their integrated amps for heapdphone use.

The latest version of the Little Dot seems to be by far the most versatile for tube rolling and has jumpers inside allowing the use of a variety of tubes.

Nic Rhodes · 09-01-2009, 11:47 AM

Thanks Alex, just got your reply on email and I thought I would make a coffee before replying. Pop goes another GU10 in the kitchen. 252v is expensive!! I loose about 1 bulb week in the kitchen alone.

I did think the Ear max pro was much more. I thought it was nearer £600 nowdays. I remember having battles with the importer years ago when I dared to ask what valves it used for my own rolling / replacement use. He didn't want to tell me describingas special headphone vales

Sort of went off it then.

Icon audio HP8 is the other option that keeps coming up but not as much flexibilty on the rolling.

I have tried the MF ages ago but was after something a bit better this time around, just not sure if these options are or are just different.

Long time no speak!

**alexs2** · 09-01-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nic Rhodes

Thanks Alex, just got your reply on email and I thought I would make a coffee before replying. Pop goes another GU10 in the kitchen. 252v is expensive!! I loose about 1 week in the kitchen alone.

I did think the Ear max pro was much more. I thought it was nearer £600 nowdays. I remember having battles with the importer years ago when I dared to ask what valves it used for my own rolling / replacement use. He didn't want to tell me describingas special headphone vales

Sort of went off it then.

Icon audio HP8 is the other option that keeps coming up but not as much flexibilty on the rolling.

I have tried the MF ages ago but was after something a bit better this time around, just not sure if these options are or are just different.

Long time no speak!

Hi Nic...you may be right about the Earmax price for the Pro...I didn't check that.

The importer also got a bit daft with me about tubes,and I went off and found out which it used and bought my own...I have the details somewhere,but it would be quicker to dredge it off the net probably!

The voltage problem you have is the exact opposite of mine,where my power filter shuts down the AV system when it hits less than 210V...it does that reasonably ofte,but we have the good fortune to live in an area with overhead power lines still.

I would have thought the Little Dot ticks most of the boxes for you,and to offer an amp which is designed for tube rolling is just a really nice touch in this day and age.

I have no plans to change my own tubed amp,but I have just bought a new(cheap) DAC in the form of the DacMagic and so far I'm delighted with it.

Nic Rhodes · 09-01-2009, 12:05 PM

I been considering the CA DAC as well but had a new receiver instead this week

Have you done a 'revew' yet I missed?

**alexs2** · 09-01-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nic Rhodes

I been considering the CA DAC as well but had a new receiver instead this week

Have you done a 'revew' yet I missed?

Quite a long and very enthusiastic thread here...

Cambridge DACMagic

How they produce something of that quality at that price amazes me...or perhaps the others all have bigger margins.

DennyL · 09-01-2009, 12:42 PM

Hello, Nic. I had a Darkvoice 336 (not 336i) which I sold and replaced with a DV 332. I don't know how these two amps compare with current DV models. I think for me the DV 332 is much better than the 336 as it has much better resolution of micro details, like breathing and scraping of strings, etc. The 336 was more rounded and for me took too much of the high frequencies, and I am much happier with the 332. I know that the 336 had quite a following but I don't really agree that it was so good. I did tube roll, using Brimar and Gen Rad valves.

I also have a Headamp GS-1, and think that the Headamp and the DV 332 are pretty similar, with the 332 having just a bit of valve warmth. This made the 332 very good value for money in my book.

I have mains voltages sometimes greater than 250v and keep meaning to measure the valve voltages on my DarkVoice, as I believe that concerns about mains voltage are about overdriving the valve heaters. Who knows, I might do it this weekend if I can find time for the faffing about. There's a cover over the bottom of the 332 and I'd have to lie it on its side and remind myself of which valve pins are for the heaters, etc, etc.

I'm sorry this is all about absolete products, but I hope it may help.

Nic Rhodes · 09-01-2009, 1:41 PM

DennyL

that is really useful stuff, just what I am after.

Nic Rhodes · 09-01-2009, 1:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexs2

Quite a long and very enthusiastic thread here...

Cambridge DACMagic

How they produce something of that quality at that price amazes me...or perhaps the others all have bigger margins.

I wonder if they ever thought about adding a headphone output to this DAC. Popular elsewhere.

Nic Rhodes · 10-01-2009, 12:37 PM

Morning bump for valve heads

cribeiro · 10-01-2009, 9:16 PM

Hello Nic,

I had a very pleasant experience with a Woo Audio 2. It's little brother, the Woo Audio 3, costs 313 pounds plus delivery from US (plus taxes, maybe?).

Woo Audio really does fine gear, and a lot of sound for the money. I thought I should post it, since you are looking for choices.

BTW, I have heard that tubed amps are less sensitive to voltage swings than regular transistors. So that may be positive after all... In any case, if you buy from Woo Audio you can tell him your problem and I am sure he can tailor the amp to your needs.

Regards,

Alberto

Nic Rhodes · 11-01-2009, 1:43 PM

Thanks Alberto

It is not a range I know so I will go away and have a further look on the internet for info. Have you had it for long?

cribeiro · 11-01-2009, 6:19 PM

No, I had it only a few weeks, I bought it for a friend, better said, a friend bought it "through me". That amp showed me how the 650 scales with better and better amplification!

And it looks great, too