[chrisnyc75]

Could someone summarize the material difference between Volot vs Mentor? Both are dual mono class A and seem to deliver roughly the same wattage - what accounts for the price difference?

 

[Honeypot]

Coming straight from FLA, in a mail I asked them about a few things:

You can also pay attention to our new model - Mentor, which is very close in its capabilities to Volot, and when using two blocks at once, it allows you to work in a completely balanced mode and at the same time has an impressive output power, exceeding even the output power of Volot. This model is built like Volot using bipolar transistors. Later we are planning another similar model using field-effect transistors at the output, for lovers of a darker and fuller sound.

Hope it helps

 

[hawk13]

Love the signature line @Honeypot!

 

[mfgillia]

Coming straight from FLA, in a mail I asked them about a few things:

You can also pay attention to our new model - Mentor, which is very close in its capabilities to Volot, and when using two blocks at once, it allows you to work in a completely balanced mode and at the same time has an impressive output power, exceeding even the output power of Volot. This model is built like Volot using bipolar transistors. Later we are planning another similar model using field-effect transistors at the output, for lovers of a darker and fuller sound.

Hope it helps

If darker fuller means more tube-like and/or bass/low end emphasis then that may be a better fit for my preferences.

 

[Honeypot]

If darker fuller means more tube-like and/or bass/low end emphasis then that may be a better fit for my preferences.

Same for me @mfgillia . There are two things that moved me away from the Volot. One is the absence of stock XD and second is the sound type.
I guess I am going to save some cash for future releases

 

[Infoseeker]

I am using the Volot with an Exogal Comet, which is an fpga dac that happens to be both a little dark and warm. Has been a great combo with the Volot same as my FA-10 before.

Rare dac to find, but highly suggest it. It's like a better modern pcm1704/ Pcm65 dac that is a lot more resolving, without going to mushy dark in a r-2r setup.

 

[Infoseeker]

Trying to seek more bass authority in the bass region of my Volot.

I noticed the VOLOT is quite transparent to DACs.

But trying to color it with pre-amp or double-amping and it generally does not act transparent, and just does it's own thing. It just doesn't work.

Bit using my Gustard A22, which is my DAC with the most authority in the bass, and that addresses this the best way to put more bass authority into the VOLOT.

My Exogal Comet fpga dac is still the best with all in smooth balance without being mushy.

I guess I just need to switch between them depending on the listening mood.

 

[hawk13]

Trying to seek more bass authority in the bass region of my Volot.

I noticed the VOLOT is quite transparent to DACs.

But trying to color it with pre-amp or double-amping and it generally does not act transparent, and just does it's own thing. It just doesn't work.

Bit using my Gustard A22, which is my DAC with the most authority in the bass, and that addresses this the best way to put more bass authority into the VOLOT.

My Exogal Comet fpga dac is still the best with all in smooth balance without being mushy.

I guess I just need to switch between them depending on the listening mood.

Bass is kinda my specialty…

I must admit that I have had tremendous success using warm amps like the V281 and the ican’s analog bass boost for pre-amps. (I also use PEQ but I’m assuming you’re not going that route)