[attmci]

It was far too long ago to comment now.

At the time I liked the V281 better. However the WA5 was fitted with what I call lean tubes. A little on the dry side.
I might have liked the WA5 better with different tubes.

nice to see u still around.

u move to a WA5?

 

[shapeshifter44]

Have you listened to a V281 I mean honestly I cannot recommend blind purchases in this price range without an audition or a great return policy. The WA5LE is pure magic and I personally own a V281/V850 stack. With that said my bias of course is with the V281 as I purchased it and have used it since late 2015. It is paired with HD-800 connected with a Forza balanced cable. I enjoy my setup a lot and would recommend it to anyone but I really do suggest an audition with the equipment before purchase. The amps you mentioned are in completely different price ranges as well... What is your end goal? What are you looking for? Is this a transition to something greater or are you keeping it? What other headphones will you be using with the setup?

I use HD800S only and I listen to classical music only (symphony and piano). I found that I am very lazy about finding quality tubes (with reasonable price) for my WA22 currently. I don't want to spend much on tubes for WA22 because I think even with awesome tubes, WA22 still cannot be as good as WA5LE. So, for now, I am deciding either take V281 as my final amp and stop spending time/money searching tubes or take WA5LE as my final amp and then spend more money on tubes in the future.

 

[Badas]

nice to see u still around.

u move to a WA5?

Still around. Read all the time and comment less.

I still have WA22 and V281.
I really like the V281 as a pre-amp to the WA22.
It sounds cleaner, smoother and warmer.

V281 by itself is stunning.

 

[shapeshifter44]

Still around. Read all the time and comment less.

I still have WA22 and V281.
I really like the V281 as a pre-amp to the WA22.
It sounds cleaner, smoother and warmer.

V281 by itself is stunning.

Thanks. I guess I may only keep one due to economic condition.

 

[phase0]

Thanks. I guess I may only keep one due to economic condition.

If I could only have one amp, I'd take the V281. I'm not the best to comment on the HD800 as I never owned them. I never really liked them anyways. I just got the Abyss Phi today. From my vague memory I'd say ditch the HD800 immediately and buy an Abyss right now.

The V281 all the amp you need. I love the WA5 but for the amount of money you need to spend (factor in need to upgrade tubes and experiment a bit to find what you like), it's not an economically efficient solution. You also get press the "on" button and a couple seconds later you're ready to go w/ the V281. Tube amps need a little time to warm up. If you are crazy or rich enough (I think I fall into crazy camp), a good tube system is a beautiful thing to have at the ready.

 

[Badas]

If I could only have one amp, I'd take the V281. I'm not the best to comment on the HD800 as I never owned them. I never really liked them anyways. I just got the Abyss Phi today. From my vague memory I'd say ditch the HD800 immediately and buy an Abyss right now.

The V281 all the amp you need. I love the WA5 but for the amount of money you need to spend (factor in need to upgrade tubes and experiment a bit to find what you like), it's not an economically efficient solution. You also get press the "on" button and a couple seconds later you're ready to go w/ the V281. Tube amps need a little time to warm up. If you are crazy or rich enough (I think I fall into crazy camp), a good tube system is a beautiful thing to have at the ready.

+1

Yeah. If I had one amp it would be the V281. So close to a tube amp sound without the tube hassle.

 

[gonzfi]

Some help if possible.... I have a line out function from my dell monitor which I use straight to the rca inputs of my v281. In turn the v281 is a pre amp to my power amp which has no volume control. The volume seems to be set incredibly high when using the amp despite the volume on the v281 being set to zero and I cannot change it. It is zero when using headphones strangely and I can then increase the volume as I see fit. Any idea how I can control the volume through the power amp?

 

[PleasantSounds]

check the PRE-POST FADER or FIXED-VARIABLE section in the manual, page 21

 

[gonzfi]

Thanks all now sorted.

 

[Furch]

Anyone ever heard V281 pairing with Benchmark ahb2? I live in country there is no Benchmark's dealer so I can't test it with my own ears.
I plan to use int.amp or power amp with V281 for my Dynaudio S40 or should I go for another amp?
Please educate me.

 

[chungjun]

Silly question but if you have the 128-step attenuator with remote, would adjusting the volume knob manually (i.e. by hand and 90% of the time) have an adverse effect?

 

[chungjun]

By the way, I'm on a look out to buy a V281... if anyone has one to let go, drop me a PM please. Thanks!

Listed as wanted:-
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/wanted-violectric-hpa-v281-singapore-wtb.863875/

 

[fdg]

Silly question but if you have the 128-step attenuator with remote, would adjusting the volume knob manually (i.e. by hand and 90% of the time) have an adverse effect?

It does not matter if you turn the volume control by hand or by motor/remote.
There is a clutch in between so you may even stop the motorized action or reverse the rotation by hand.
You cant harm the mechanism !!
Unfortunately it is not made in Germany but in Japan ...
Cheers, Fried

 

[zhgutov]

[offtopic - answered]

 

[PHC1]

How well does the V281 pair with Focal Utopia?