Anyone here uses it as a pre-amp with good solid-state power amp/speakers and can comment on SQ? In particular I'd like to know if it adds perceived tube sound coloration.
I don't own a Darkvoice, but I do own a Schiit Vali 2, which has a tube pre-amp and I believe the general rule of thumb is that a tube pre-amp might add a minuscule amount of tube-ness to the sound, the real tube sound is apparent when you use the full tube amp like the Darkvoice for the entire amp process instead of just pre-amp.
Thanks, I also found some comments elsewhere that Darkvoice is actually pretty crappy when used as preamp from its line-out, but maybe better from the phones output. I suspect line-out is taken after the first stage.