[preproman]

 

[Jodet]

If you're using SE HD800's is there any benefit to the 281 over the 220? 

 

[Megalomaniak]

I dont see it, V281 is for balanced mode, SE mode on the V281 is a V220.

 

[Corlagon]

If you're using SE HD800's is there any benefit to the 281 over the 220? 

unlikely

 

[roskodan]

well except that you get two v220 for just a ~30% increase in price, and are ready for whenever you decide to go balanced, and makes even more sense if you plan getting, or already have a balanced source

 

[saxelrod92]

  well except that you get two v220 for just a ~30% increase in price, and are ready for whenever you decide to go balanced, and makes even more sense if you plan getting, or already have a balanced source

or just want to take full advantage of the maximum power output for planars or for just insane headroom lol.

 

[Megalomaniak]

I took the V281 over the V220 because of the Balanced feature for planar magnetic headphones. Even tho they are making them more eficient, I have the option available whenever I need it.

 

[project86]

I follow that same logic. If you can afford it, seems like it makes sense to grab the V281 over the V220 - you then have the balanced capability if you ever want to use it. If it's already a stretch then of course V220 is nothing to sneeze at. Heck, V200 is still a good buy despite the new models. But V281? Yeah, very nice. 

 

[alvinmate]

Hey Guys,
 
As this is a very good thread and dedicated to new flagship AMP from Violectric so I thought to share my thoughts. I am very excited and like some of you I have also placed the order for HPA V281 with silver finish.  Currently I have Audeze LCD X and have also ordered SENN HD 800 with balanced cables and Cardas Quadlink power cables.
 
I hope this combination will be perfect as after this purchase  I am not planning to upgrade for a while...lets see

 

[project86]

Welcome to the party! Based on my week or so worth of listening, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I've been extremely impressed thus far, with everything I've thrown at the V281. Truly reference caliber in every way. And the USB input is really quite impressive as well - it's no Chord Hugo or anything of that caliber, but as a $240 option..... I've never heard a stand alone $240 DAC this capable. I works perfectly with Linux as well, for all you music server folks out there. 

 

[TooPoor]

I know it's early, but can anyone give their opinion on whether the V220 is worth $400+ than the V200? Neither of my cans are that needy (HE-560 & LFF Enigma) so I'm not sure if I want to spend the extra money on the V220 over the V200. Speculation is welcome as well!

 

[Xenophon]

  I know it's early, but can anyone give their opinion on whether the V220 is worth $400+ than the V200? Neither of my cans are that needy (HE-560 & LFF Enigma) so I'm not sure if I want to spend the extra money on the V220 over the V200. Speculation is welcome as well!

Owning the 200 and purely speculating as I haven't heard the 281 (yet):  for me it would have to be a very significant improvement to a) take a serious hit on selling the 200 and b)paying extra for the 281.  Nothing I read so far seems to indicate radical differences and if -like me- you don't care about the option of remote control and don't need the extra power, then I wouldn't do it unless I had unlimited money to burn, in which case I wouldn't be posting here.  
 
My 2c:  don't get drawn in by the marketing machine that's the HeadFi community and snatch up a discounted V200 from someone who disagreed with the previous statement

 

[TooPoor]

Xenophon! So I'm actually putting the La Figaro up for sale in order to fund this potential endeavor. Am I crazy?

 

[Xenophon]

I don't know if you're crazy or not but for me  having to choose between getting a V200 used and keeping my 337 or paying extra for the 281 and sell it off --->  no way in hell would I sell the 337, if for nothing else then because if you're not living in China, it's a hell of a lot easier to save up and purchase a V281 later on than it'll be to acquire a La Figaro.
 
Just my opinion but I've ample amps.  And for the record, I do like my V200.  Solid state amp wise I'd rank what I own as follows:  F5-clone >  SX-1980 > V200 >  O2 > FiiO E09K.  But of course, the F5 is a speaker amp and the SX-1980  a piece of vintage gear, lovely sound though.    
 
Believe it or not, the most head time goes to my DV-337 tube amp, which is spec wise undoubtably the ugly duckling.  In the end it's a question of taste and there's no debating that.

 

[saxelrod92]

So now that it's been a couple weeks since the new amps have been first heard, how are the ongoing impressions? Anybody been able to compare SE sound vs XLR output yet? and the one comparison I think the V281 will be most commonly put up against is the Auralic taurus mkII, curious how it stacks up. If the ragnarok was out then that would be the third comparison to make, and in general those three amps will probably be the solid state go to choices at that price, so knowing the differences between them is going to be crucial. They seem to each offer something unique that the other doesn't offer, so should be fun haha. I'm personally still pretty set on getting the V281 though, but that taurus mkII seems to keep popping up so I dont know yet for sure.