So it didn't work out so well... why? Well, with a single unit, the actual output of this unit may be lower than what your soundcards can output, meaning that volume will drop, and that when you have to max the rheostat on the unit out to reach that same volume, distortion may occur.
This seems to be because of a number of factors - first, I'm not going to rule out that the unit I was testing might have had a messed up vacuum tube - which would definitely explain the voltage drop, and neither will I rule out that the voltage coming from the power supply is potentially low. Considering that this unit was also installed into a SFF case (Ultra Products Microfly), there is a chance that the voltage regulation, and step up circuitry for the vacuum tube could be overheating, causing issues there too. In reality, inside a case, there are so many factors which could diminish sound quality, right down to the cables.
Unfortunately, cabling is something that's been in wide debate among enthusiasts for years - after all, some people will shell out hundreds for new cabling, and boast of the superior quality to their friends, when in reality the difference is not there. Yet, when you're running thin headphone wire through a computer case, a number of factors may emerge - the first and most prevalent of them is electrical distortion - and considering that the cables have to pass next to a high powered videocard, under a hard disk, and through a tight bend below the PSU, it stands to reason that there may be some dirtying of the noise there. Ideally, having this properly set up would involve keeping objects which could cause distortion away, but in tight cases, this just isn't possible In order for something like this to really work out, proper length, shielded cables would need to feed a heavily regulated and heatinkd PCB, from which, the clean power flows to two or more vacuum tubes, finally passing to a less sensitive VU meter, than back out. Would this help? Definitely. Would it drive up the cost of the unit? Likely, enough so that users would stand back. Ach, the costs of progress.
