[AudioPowerHead]

No, those have different numbers and smaller enclosures. The model variance is much higher this time (including the former RS models) so there's more to it than just a stripped down version. Good to have choices.

@Fegefeuer
Did you sell away your RS06 and V281 ? Didn't see them in your signature line anymore.

 

[Fegefeuer]

yes, for the new generation

 

[AudioPowerHead]

yes, for the new generation

 

[Malcolm Riverside]

Fried on the V380 from the same German hi-fi forum I cited before:

“The DHA V380 is significantly lower.
The DAC in the device is the same as the V590, but the equipment is significantly reduced.
There is no balanced line inputs, no balance, no remote control, etc..

As I said, the V380 is a bit slimmer than the V590.
This does not affect the D / A part, it is spot-on.
The "heart", the actual headphone amplifier corresponds to that of the V590.
There are differences in the power supply (only one transformer), front (6 instead of 8mm), inputs, outputs, balance, no remote control etc.
The DHA V380 will cost less than 2500 euros.”

 

[brucellosis]

Unbalanced only on the V380. Hmmmm, I'm holding out for a V381? with balanced, or a V580? without the DAC. Or finally cave and get myself a V281.

 

[Fegefeuer]

The numbers are much different now so it's hard to estimate any successor from the naming. Also note the DHA vs. HPA.
HPA V281 successor comes with a HPA V5 in front and V280 successor with a HPA V3.

 

[hypersonic]

I really like the old form factor. It's brilliant for desktop placement.
Although I understand one may appreciate the wider enclosure for "hifi rack"

 

[AudioPowerHead]

https://audioxpress.com/index.php/n...ake-people-and-plans-future-catalog-expansion

Just came across this news that CMA Audio had acquired Lake People. Not sure if this is a good thing although Fried will still be the chairman of the advisory board. Hope he will still have major influence on the product innovation pipeline of Violectric/Niimbus brands.

 

[Fegefeuer]

It is better for everyone. Fried can concentrate solely on the products and also finally realize stuff he always wanted to create.

Remember that they do much more than the products we know and are used to. Also not only for their own product portfolio.

Many years ago I saw a huge tube amp for 30k at the High End. It looked very impressive. When I told him about it he spoke about how they did a few things for exactly this amp.

 

[project86]

Yes that's a good point - Lake People/Violectric has done various OEM work over the years, which generally is not disclosed. Would be fun to see a list but that's usually a no-no based on contracts for this sort of work.

More listening to V590 shows that it is relatively transport-agnostic. The resample feature (based on an AKM chip) does a good job making basic laptops sound great. I do hear an improvement with dedicated transports like my Nativ Vita music server or the McIntosh MCD600 I had in for review, but using something lesser still gives a very enjoyable experience.

So far I like it using "Best" mode.

 

[AudioPowerHead]

Fried on the V380 from the same German hi-fi forum I cited before:

“The DHA V380 is significantly lower.
The DAC in the device is the same as the V590, but the equipment is significantly reduced.
There is no balanced line inputs, no balance, no remote control, etc..

As I said, the V380 is a bit slimmer than the V590.
This does not affect the D / A part, it is spot-on.
The "heart", the actual headphone amplifier corresponds to that of the V590.
There are differences in the power supply (only one transformer), front (6 instead of 8mm), inputs, outputs, balance, no remote control etc.
The DHA V380 will cost less than 2500 euros.”

Do you have a pic of the back panel? Can’t see clearly from this one. Thanks.

 

[BLacklWf]

I hope to hear further updates on the sound impression or review. Hope everyone is staying well and safe!

 

[Fegefeuer]

Do you have a pic of the back panel? Can’t see clearly from this one. Thanks.

 

[AudioPowerHead]

Small observation. Noticed the pre gain switches are +18,+6,-6,-18 for V590 and V380. The V281/V280 both have +12,+6,-6,-12.

May be good news to existing Vios owners who are at -12db and looking for more room to play with on the volume pot.

 

[project86]

Just got confirmation that V590 will be priced at $3499 in North America. Not sure how that will shake out elsewhere, but I feel that's a very fair price for what you get. At the moment there is just the one version which is black only and has the remote control for volume adjustment. Later they will likely offer separate amp-only models but of course those are not V590 but some other model name...

V281 is on the way out now, with a "Final Edition" making up the last batch. It's still the same price though. So let's examine: V590 is $3499 for DAC and amp. V281 is $2199 for amp only, plus $249 for the remote control option. That means we have $1050 to play with in terms of adding a DAC to V281 - I'm leaving out the fact that V590's amp section is improved over V281, because I don't know how to put a specific price tag on that.

Anyway, lots of good DACs available at around $1K so it's certainly possible to build an enjoyable system there. But will any of them keep up with the V590 DAC section? That's a tough challenge, as it sounds to me more like a DAC in the $1500 to $2000 range. I will play around with models I have and see what I come up with but at the moment I'm not coming up with anything that will do the job in that budget.