Does the Darkvoice 336SE drive the HiFiMan Sundara?

Computed from measured specifications · target SPL 110 dB · load 300 Ω

Adequate

The Darkvoice Darkvoice 336SE adequately drives the HiFiMan Sundara with limited margin (~6.6 dB headroom at 300 ohms; needs ~54.3 mW, delivers 250 mW). Note: this OTL tube amp's high output impedance (100 Ω) interacts strongly with this low-impedance (39 Ω) headphone, which can audibly alter its tonal balance. OTL tube amps are best paired with high-impedance (250 Ω+) headphones; this is a less ideal match.

Headroom
6.6 dB
Required (110 dB SPL)
54.3 mW
Delivered (@ 300 Ω)
250 mW
Required voltage
1.46 Vrms

Power Headroom

Headroom: 6.6 dB 0 · target 6.6 dB below target marginal adequate ample -14 dB +10 +20 +36 dB

Scale shows dB headroom above the 54.3 mW required to reach 110 dB SPL. Amp delivers 250 mW at 300 Ω (+6.6 dB above target).

HiFiMan Sundara Planar · over-ear
Impedance (rated) 37 Ω
Impedance (measured) Source: reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/r… 39.25 Ω measured
Sensitivity (rated) 94.0 dB/mW
Sensitivity (measured) 92.65 dB/mW measured
Driver Planar
Spec basis Measured
Measured by Reference Audio Analyzer (https://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/report/hp/hifiman-sundara.php) · Source ↗
Darkvoice 336SE Desktop Tube · Single Ended
Output impedance assumed 100.0 Ω estimated
Power @ 300 Ω 250 mW
Power @ 600 Ω 125 mW *est.
Power source Estimated low confidence
* Loads marked "est." are derived from the published voltage ceiling at a lower-impedance load (V = √(P·R) → P_higher = V²/R_higher). All derivations are upward only.
OTL tube amp using 6N5P output tubes. Manufacturer page (Apos, analogmetric) states only 'Power handling capacity: 1 W' with no load specification. Power figure of 250 mW @ 300 Ω is a conservative estimate based on OTL topology similar to the Bottlehead Crack; treat as approximate. Output impedance of 100 Ω is estimated from OTL/6N5P tube topology — manufacturer does not publish this figure. 600 Ω derived from 300 Ω. · Source ↗
Impedance caution

This OTL tube amp's output impedance (100 Ω) is high relative to this headphone's 39 Ω impedance (ratio 0.4×). OTL tube amps are best paired with headphones ≥ 250 Ω; this combination may cause audible tonal coloration.

Planar driver note

Planar-magnetic headphones can have high current demands that are not fully captured by the power headroom model. Even with adequate headroom, some solid-state amps may struggle to deliver sufficient peak current for transient dynamics. Prefer amps rated for low-impedance planars.

Specification confidence: low

One or more amp specifications (power output or output impedance) are estimated rather than published by the manufacturer. Treat this pairing's verdict as approximate.

Where to buy

Darkvoice 336SE on Amazon ↗ HiFiMan Sundara on Amazon ↗

Disclosure: links above are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. Affiliate commissions do not influence verdicts; all analysis is computed independently from the data.

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Little Dot MkII Marginal 2.7 dB
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See all amplifiers for the HiFiMan Sundara →

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