[BK_856er]

 
Quote:

Yeah, but I do see some opamps in the internal pics on the v200, anyone have some more detailed internal pics of the v200?  Someone want to take some?  It does have opamps in the signal path on the v200 I am pretty positive.  

This is from the hifistatement V200 review.  Not my pic.  Socketed chips are labeled 5534.  Sounds good to my ears.
 
From the V200 manual:  [size=x-small][size=x-small]Each channel [/size][/size][size=x-small][size=x-small]features eight transistors: two small-signal BC546 / BC556 and the [/size][/size][size=x-small][size=x-small]power transistors 2SA1606 / 2SC4159, all driven by a non-inverting [/size][/size][size=x-small][size=x-small]NE5534 op-amp.[/size][/size]
 
BK
 

 

[grokit]

I was under the impression that the V181 was the balanced version of the V100's design, and the V200 was a different amplifier altogether. I find the fact that the V200 will accept a balanced input yet only offers single ended output intriguing. Supposedly Violectric is working on a balanced-output version of the V200; it has been referred to here as the "V282".

 

[TigzStudio]

Yeah I started a thread about it after I emailed Fried and Violectric to get more information.  A balanced version of the v200 is coming (v282) but not for quite some time.  
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/508683/the-violectric-v282-thread
Quote:

I was under the impression that the V181 was the balanced version of the V100's design, and the V200 was a different amplifier altogether. I find the fact that the V200 will accept a balanced input yet only offers single ended output intriguing. Supposedly Violectric is working on a balanced-output version of the V200; it has been referred to here as the "V282".

 

[Currawong]

Interesting about the OPAMPs. I have sometimes preferred a slightly more coloured amp presentation with some of my headphones than my Phoenix gives.  I have recently had a craving for a tube amp too. 

 

[tim3320070]

Exactly- me as well Currawong. Hard to hate or get tired of what I am hearing though. I make things "wetter" with warmer headphones/speakers. Wish I had the $ for that balanced Woo.

 

[markm1111]

Quote:

Yes I would think the v200 would be the same, if not have more.  Im sure some v200 owners can step up here and tell you abouts its impact/slam abilities?  Or possibly look at my descriptions of the v181 and see if their perceptions of the v200 are similar?
 

Yep, same here. Your analysis of the V181 is similar to mine on the V200. As far as bass is concerned, it really brought out the bottom end in my K702's, making them sound much more well rounded - I was very happy indeed

 

[apatN]

I so want this... Seriously, balanced is so great (straight from my Buffalo). Both my DT880 and K701 are both balanced and they sound as good if not better than with my Goldpoint (which is a great amp as well!).

 

[musicman59]

I own the V200 and I think it is a great sounding little amp. Robert from Aphroditecu29.com sent me a V181 to try. This little amp is very good. I am trying it feeding a balanced signal from my Wadia 27 DAC. It's sounds incredible. What a great bass! and the tone of the whole musical spectrum is great and not solid state at all.... very analog sounding. IMO price performance it is probably one of the best bargains for a truly balanced amplifier. I can wait for Freid to come out with the bigger balanced brother mentioned before.

 

[TigzStudio]

Quote:

I own the V200 and I think it is a great sounding little amp. Robert from Aphroditecu29.com sent me a V181 to try. This little amp is very good. I am trying it feeding a balanced signal from my Wadia 27 DAC. It's sounds incredible. What a great bass! and the tone of the whole musical spectrum is great and not solid state at all.... very analog sounding. IMO price performance it is probably one of the best bargains for a truly balanced amplifier. I can wait for Freid to come out with the bigger balanced brother mentioned before.

Hey someone else has listened to a v181! no way!  

 
How many hours have you let it settle in / burn in for?  When I first go the v181 it definitely went through an interesting burn in phase, but ultimately settling in to a great overall dynamic / analog sound.  

 

[KevinR70]

Quote:

I own the V200 and I think it is a great sounding little amp. Robert from Aphroditecu29.com sent me a V181 to try. This little amp is very good. I am trying it feeding a balanced signal from my Wadia 27 DAC. It's sounds incredible. What a great bass! and the tone of the whole musical spectrum is great and not solid state at all.... very analog sounding. IMO price performance it is probably one of the best bargains for a truly balanced amplifier. I can wait for Freid to come out with the bigger balanced brother mentioned before.

Do you prefer the 181 over the 200?  Can you compare the sonic differences between the two?  Thanks.  BTW, I'm familiar with the 200 since I picked one up from Robert a few weeks ago.  

 

[musicman59]

Quote:

Hey someone else has listened to a v181! no way!  

 
How many hours have you let it settle in / burn in for?  When I first go the v181 it definitely went through an interesting burn in phase, but ultimately settling in to a great overall dynamic / analog sound.  

I don't know how long Robert has burned-in this amp but I just let it settle for couple of hours and it sounded great.

 

[musicman59]

Quote:

Do you prefer the 181 over the 200?  Can you compare the sonic differences between the two?  Thanks.  BTW, I'm familiar with the 200 since I picked one up from Robert a few weeks ago.  

It's hard to find too much of a difference in the sound characteristics. The V181 sound stage might be a little bit bigger that could be due to being balanced and the V200 seems to have a little bit more power but other then that they are very close.

 

[Wharfrat]

So glad I found this thread.  Have my eyes on the Lake People 181 or 200 at this time...for me it rolls down to the fact the balanced outs are in the v181 but not in the v200, but the v200 may have better bass output.  I am a bit torn over the bass output since my current stable of headcan amps (a Lavry DA10 (all SS) and an Consonance Opera Cyber-20 (all tube) seem to lack either SPL power or have a relatively higher Hz bass output compared to speakers. And to boot the Cyber-20 is a much under-appreciated tube amplifier that has very sweet and silky mids that do immaculate justice to female vocals and acoustic stuff.  I am concerned that the bass output in the v200 may overwhelm the mids a tad....
 
Any thoughts in this regard?  BTW, I use ATH-AD2000 headphones and these are relatively more sensitive compared to the Denons, Teslas, and HD800s (but not to the Audezes, which are amazing but sit on my head like a pair of bricks, nor the Ultrasone Ed9s).

 

[perfidoclone]

Hi Guys!
I use V181 with K1000 and PS1000, both in balanced mode and it sound amazing..
I see a big difference from unbalanced to balanced, it's more open, define and deep.
Anybody try with K1000?
Thank's,
 
Matteo

 

[perfidoclone]

Anybody knows if does exist any mod for V181?
I would change the potentiometer.. do you know which impedance I have to looking for?
Thank you,
 
Matteo