What is the best amp (or amp/dac) to pair with the HD6XX? | Sounds like (no...

Jun 15, 2020

Z0d1AcI got this exact setup -- 6xx headphones and DarkVoice 336se -- and my main concern is volume. Even with volume all that way up, the sound is still pretty faint to my ears, and I also hear a continuous buzzing when it's otherwise quiet. I have an RCA to miniplug adapter to plug into my computer from the darkvoice. What should I switch out or try? I will say that the sound is clearer with the amp, by a longshot, than without, but that the volume is just too low, either way, with these headphones.

Jun 15, 2020

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Jun 15, 2020

ntobeySounds like (no pun intended) there is something wrong with the setup or devices if the volume on the darkvoice is all the way up and it's still too quiet. I don't know what the issue can be. If you have no dac, 3.5mm to rca cable from the green output plug on the back of a computer to the rca input on the darkvoice. Enable device output on sound setting on computer and make sure volume on windows is %100. Make sure tubes are installed correctly?

Jun 15, 2020

Jun 15, 2020

Z0d1AcWell here's the setup. I got the TUNG-SOL 6SN7GTB tubes, which seem to sound a bit better than the stocks. Would welcome and appreciate any advice, I have no idea what I'm doing (but am trying!)

Jun 15, 2020

Jun 16, 2020

ntobeyWell good thing you provided pictures. I assume both of those tubes are the same? TUNG-SOL 6SN7GTB?

The bottom tube is the driver tube which accepts 6sn7 type. Which is fine because the tung sol is compatible. Leave it be.
But, there in lies the problem. The top tube is the power tube which accepts 6as7 type. Which means you need to take out that one tung sol tube and try again with the stock power tube the darkvoice came with.
I don't have the list of compatible power tubes. But I do remember is also accepts things like the 6080w type and not just the 6as7 type.

edit: Btw, you also have the rca in the wrong port. The red one goes on the right channel (bottom port) and the white one goes on the left channel (top port on the darkvoice). Input is correct tho (not the red and white outputs).

3.5mm into laptop is fine. Just note laptops can have crap outputs so some time down the road you may want to get a dedicated dac.

(Edited)

Jun 16, 2020

Jun 16, 2020

ntobeyDid you ever fix this? It may seem to simple to check, but it sounds like you’re describing a bad connection with the RCA to miniplug adapter. Like, maybe as simple as the miniplug not being inserted all the way... even a millimeter or two will have the left and right channels connected to just one of the laptop’s output channels, and have poor grounding. Make sure there is no lint or obstructions in the laptop, and plug the miniplug in all the way. Some jacks are so tight that it feels like it’s in all the way, but push harder and they suddenly “snap” into place. Of course, the adapter itself could have an internal fault. Even less likely but possible there could be an issue with the Darkvoice’s input. But I would try connecting the Darkvoice to any other source before jumping to conclusions! A home theater receiver, integrated amp, phone with dongle, a friend’s computer, your clock-alarm, ANYTHING, just to check! Good luck!

Jun 16, 2020

Jun 16, 2020

Z0d1AcThanks! Trying it again now. Here’s the dac I have, which I haven’t been able to figure out how to use in this setup. Any feedback on that?

Jun 16, 2020

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Jun 16, 2020

Z0d1AcOk, I made all the changes you suggested, and it does sound a bit louder now for sure. The loud buzzing sound is still present when music isn’t playing. And I still wouldn’t say it’s as loud as I’d expect, but seems at first glance like the proper tube has made a difference. i wonder if the issue is the input to the computer somehkw

Jun 16, 2020

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Jun 16, 2020

ntobeyIf the DAC isn’t outputting 2 Volts, that could be an issue. And contrary to popular belief, the analog section of a Digital to Analog Converter has a big impact on the final audio quality... the analog half is basically an amp without a volume control. I still find the interconnects the most likely cause, but it’s worth considering the rest of the chain. and yeah, some tubes give the whole tube industry a bad name! I found some that I really like and I’ve stuck with them!

(Edited)

Jun 16, 2020

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Jun 16, 2020

Jun 16, 2020

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Jun 16, 2020

ntobeyI got this little cheap dac and have no idea how to connect it right now - hah - not going well. Would this dac actually work? what would the wiring setup be?

Jun 16, 2020

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Jun 16, 2020

ntobeyWhat inputs does the dac have? The pictures of it on amazon a few different versions only have optical, and coaxial inputs on the dac. Most laptops don't have those ports. You need a dac that has at least a usb input and use a usb output on the laptop if it supports audio out. Some dacs do have 3.5mm line in. But bare in mind the laptop has already converted the diginal signal to analog and amplified it to around 2v line out signal. The dac will receive it and either passthrough the laptop signal to the amp or it might try reconverting it if it has a adc built in then coverts it back to dac. Which means it going to take the crappy laptop signal either way and I don't recommend this method. Your best bet is to use a dac with usb input.

Jun 16, 2020

Jun 16, 2020

Z0d1AcAlso the darkvoice may have a little bit of hiss around the half way point on the volume. As for hum. Have you also tried the stock driver tube as well and compared the hum to the tung sol driver tube? If the tung sol is humming a lot more it may be a bad tube or non burned in tube. For example when I tried a russian 68hc it hummed a lot compared to some other tubes I had so the problem was with the tube itself. even tho it was a 6sn7 type it was a special tube that runs at a slightly different voltage which means it may have not been fully compatible with the darkvoice. Another thing to consider other than tube hum. Is to make sure you don't have any ground loops because that can cause hum as well.

Jun 16, 2020

Jun 17, 2020

Z0d1AcWow, I think it was the russian tube! The stock one, no buzz!

Jun 17, 2020

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Jun 17, 2020

ntobeyMust have been an incomparable tube type for that socket. Also, if you’re connecting straight to your laptop, make sure to turn up your laptop’s volume too.

Jun 17, 2020

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Tomcruz

Nov 24, 2020

OManare you having issues with excessive heat? Chord Mojo...

Nov 24, 2020

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OMan

119

Nov 24, 2020

TomcruzIt does get hot, but apparently it is normal. After about 20 - 30 minutes is when it peaks and it does not seem to get hotter (measurement by touch). I have a PS Audio Sprout100 and it gets as hot, being a desktop amp.

Nov 24, 2020

Nov 24, 2020

TomcruzThe chord mojo gets hotter than other portable devices and makes it good for a hand warmer but I will say it never gets excessively hot. If you read the faq it has heat protection built in so I would not worry about it unless something seems out of the normal.

Nov 24, 2020

Tomcruz

Nov 25, 2020

Z0d1AcTrying to snag a great amp-dac on the first go... cant afford to keep buying and trying. My main goal is brilliant, goose bump inducing, beautiful music...

Nov 25, 2020

Nov 25, 2020

TomcruzHah! That’s pretty much everyone’s goal :) I’d say skip the $30 made-for-tv DACs, there’s plenty of frequently suggested options that sound great (some mentioned in this thread). My EPOS Audio GSX 1000 is great with my HD 58X Jubilee and PC37X, but a little lacking with my HD 650 without a little extra help from another amp. For a more compact option, the Apogee Groove is a little more powerful and sounds good with the HD 650, and it’s pretty brilliant and revealing as well. On a higher end of the price range, the Sennheiser HDV 820 just dominates any headphone I plug into it, with a good sense of body and rich, tight bass with full extension. Goosebumps indeed.

(Edited)

Nov 25, 2020

Tomcruz

Nov 25, 2020

EvshrugVery much appreciated.

Nov 25, 2020

Nov 26, 2020

TomcruzAlso, the Mojo gets warm, but not too hot to touch, or get so warm it would hurt the battery.

Nov 26, 2020

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