I would tend to agree that the darkvoice is a pretty good amp for the price, but I also agree with @Hazi59 that it’s hard to make such a statement without something to back it up (another reason why I ever hesitate to call something best or a benchmark or go to or etc)
4 Likes
Yes, I agree. I owned my Darkvoice 336se for 2 plus years. As far as an amp’s lifespan in my setup, that is a long time. It made my HD650 sound amazing. But the Tuba is a pretty significant improvement. Of course, this is all subjective.
3 Likes
if i get any upgrade it will be a tuba. but thats way in the future. i’m just gonna enjoy the sound now. both my Auteur and HD600 never have sounded better
7 Likes
That’s what it’s all about man, sit back and enjoy.
2 Likes
Does that go for the la figaro 339i as well? Would something like the liquid platinum be a better prospect at the same price?
The 339 was for sure a step up from the darkvoice when I have tried it, that being said I do think it could use some more refinement for the price, but I did enjoy it
Would you say the liquid platinum is better at the same price? I can get that for the same price locally on Amazon VS waiting for drop. Just wondering if I should drop order and do it.
I’m going to run this as a pre on my system to add some tube to my power Amp. Also for headphones if it does both well.
I mean they are different amps, I would say it depends on the headphones you are using
IMO if you are going to do this, personally I would just grab a tube preamp instead, it will be a fair bit cleaner, the darkvoice can have issues with noise as a preamp (but I haven’t tested the 339 on that one). I wouldn’t suggest using the liquid plat as a pre
The Schiit Freya Plus would be a good suggestion for a Tube Pre I think
now thats a big amp. 900$ too
Preamp only unfortunately. I would kill for a schiit Freya Integrated. though
I’ve played a little bit with Schiit products and I like the sound. I never heard the Vidar though, which is what I see the freya paired with a lot in monoblocks
I dug out my DT880 600 ohm and tried it on the dark voice and they sound much better to me. they took to the amp np. they are not so bright anymore and they have a little more bass. nice. I’m starting to see why people like this headphone so much. Tried it on the RNHP and again i didnt like it lol. too much treble and lacks body.
2 Likes
For bright/treble headphones I do find the RNHP does make the sound overly thin. I much as I love my Blon B20’s for their aggressive treble, RNHP is NOT a good match for them. THX 887 or Schiit Heresy makes them VERY enjoyable for me (despite the flaws with the Sendy Aiva and clones have).
I disagree. I find the RNHP much more forgiving in the treble. I’m very curious how you’re hearing the RNHP as thin. Maybe it doesn’t have enough power for your b20 and that is why. The RNHP is considered by many to be rich sounding, quite the opposite of thin.
I would more say the rnhp will accentuate the already thin quality of the b20, but I would also agree the b20 most likely isn’t the best match for the b20
2 Likes
I can hear the RNHP has PLENTY of power needed for the B20.
M0N said it best with:
I’ll admit, I love running the B20 balanced on the THX 887 or Schiit Heresy. Single ended on the THX 887 is just less punchy (very moderate though, could by in my head because the sound is so close). Regardless, the LCD X and B20 taught me that SIGNAL CHAINS MATTER!!!
1 Like
It’s always seemed to me that for the most part, the higher up you go on tube amps, the “Cleaner” sound you get while still keeping the better qualities of a tube. I haven’t gotten a tube amp yet and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at the DV and almost jumped on it. I think I’ve always worried though that it may be too thick and warm for my taste from what I’ve read. And it seems adding better tubes fixes it for the most part but I feel I’d still be losing the detail I would want from it.
The Tuba has been on my list more than others for a while now and it likely what I’d go with unless I find something else. The W6 from Woo has been in the running too. I would really most want something that gives my the staging as airy benefits. I love my Aeolus but I couldn’t imagine putting them in the dark voice lol. I feel that would destroy them with the added warmth and detail loss. I need to keep telling myself before I buy more headphones to get a tube amp first lol. And I think I’m getting to the point that I have more high end than low end gear that I’d rather start off with a mid tier tube amp to get the full benefits of them than starting low like I have for my headphones and SS amps and working my way up.
2 Likes
Yeah i put my DT800’s on it and i thougt it wouldnt be able to drive them at 600 ohm. but it did. i had to turn it up to 5 oclock but i didnt even max out the volume. I think the little RNHP has a lot of power. its a bit deceptive
I only have 1 headphone I dare take past 12 o’clock. I think it’s got more power than the Schiit Heresy. Granted I use the thx 887 power supply on it to be lazy that proves double the current.
Their is a difference between power and gain. The gain stage on the RNHP was masterfully designed.
1 Like