[Fegefeuer]

Time for some power specs:
 
V220 (unbalanced mode)

into 600 ohms load = 21 Veff = +28,5 dBu = 720 mW
into 50 ohms load = 13 Veff = +24,5 dBu = 3300 mW
 
V281 (balanced mode)

into 600 ohms load = 40 Veff = +34,2 dBu = 2700 mW
into 50 ohms load = 14Veff = +25 dBu = 4000 mW

 

[roskodan]

WOW... suddenly a a feeling of regret about selling my he-6
 
is this Watt per channel or both channels combined?
 
rms or peak power? i gues it's rms=Veff

 

[Xenophon]

Veff = Vrms and I'm guessing it'll be total, not WPC.  In balanced it looks impressive in 50 Ohm, for 600 Ohm impedance loads it looks downright impressive all across the board.
 
Still, specifically for the HE-6 I've a feeling it'll be just a bit south of optimal even fully balanced although it won't be such a big issue as even with the V200 it's already very listenable.
 
Will the sound signature be the same or did something change in that respect?  I'd want to audition it first and do an A/B with my present V800/V200 combo.  Just a bit more clarity would be absolute perfection.  
 
OK, I'm nitpicking, I know.  But considering that the V281 will come at about 1350 EUR without VAT (so about 1600 EUR  or  the equivalent of 2200 USD taxes included in the EU) for the basic version without remote or DAC-module I think nitpicking is allowed.  That amount of cheddar can already purchase serious competition such as an Auralic Taurus.  Interesting times!

 

[Poladise]

  Time for some power specs:
 
V220 (unbalanced mode)

into 600 ohms load = 21 Veff = +28,5 dBu = 720 mW
into 50 ohms load = 13 Veff = +24,5 dBu = 3300 mW
 
V281 (balanced mode)

into 600 ohms load = 40 Veff = +34,2 dBu = 2700 mW
into 50 ohms load = 14Veff = +25 dBu = 4000 mW

 
Surprisingly similar output at 50 ohms. Wonder if it'll be worth spending extra to get the balanced version if you're only using LCDs.

 

[BeyerMonster]

  Surprisingly similar output at 50 ohms. Wonder if it'll be worth spending extra to get the balanced version if you're only using LCDs.

 
I guess that means at Audeze impedances, the design is current-limited and the voltage rails are plenty high enough.

 

[fdg]

First data from V220 / V281
 
V220 (unbalanced mode)

into 600 ohms load = 21 Veff = +28,5 dBu = 720 mW
into 50 ohms load = 13 Veff = +24,5 dBu = 3300 mW
 
V281 (balanced mode)

into 600 ohms load = 40 Veff = +34,2 dBu = 2700 mW
into 50 ohms load = 14Veff = +25 dBu = 4000 mW
 
Veff means Vrms, data was taken both channels driven !!
 
All transistorized amps from Violectric are current limited.
This is neccessary because otherwise the output voltage of 40 Veff into an 8 ohms load would mean 200 W !!
And the power supply should be able to deliver this. 
To avoid heavy gear and large cases the current limitation ensures that 25 +15 W transformers are more than sufficient for V281.

It is hard to design an amp which is able to produce a very high output voltage swing for high impedance headphones on one hand,
and relative high output current for low impedance headphones on the other hand - while additional features like minimum noise, lowest distortion, highest slew rate and widest frequency range are maintained.
Also I dont think that it is really neccessary to have such high ouput voltage and such high output current to drive a headphone - but there are people out there driving a Dodge Viper in a speed limited country.

With V220 / V281 we want to show that ONE amp is able to drive ANY headphone to the full, be it HD800 or HE6 or K1000. Gear made for the "Autobahn" cant be wrong on other roads 

.
 
This is the technical approach - if the sound fits your needs you can only judge by yourself.
 
If there are additional questions - you´re welcome !
 
Greetz
 
Fried Reim

 

[Xenophon]

Hi Fried,
 
Thanks for the update.  I know it's a stupid question that can only be answered after auditioning and I don't know how you went about the implementation and the transistors etc...but would you say the 'signature' is about the same out of the V281 via the usb module as what you'd get from a V200 fed from a V800?  That's the main thing I'm curious about now that the power specs have been published.  For the rest it'll just be a question of weighing the wallet and deciding I guess, I'd sign with my eyes closed for the engineering part.
 
Thanks and congratulations, if you managed to squeeze this into a package while keeping the noise floor as low as before with the extra power on board...respect!  

 

[fdg]

V220 / V281 share a similar sound signature as V200.
Although we have new add-on DACs for our headphone amps offering 24/192 technology, a better converter and enhanced analog output circuitry - DAC V800 is still ahead !
As a result V220 / V281 with one of the new add-on DACs will come closer to the sound signature of V200 + V800 but for my opinion will not meet it.
 
If you want superb D/A conversion and a (nearly) perfect unbalanced headphone amp stay with HPA V200 + DAC V800
If you want more flexibility concerning inputs/outputs, some more hopefully helpful features and a perfect headphone amp go for V220 / V281.
This is also true with the 24/192 add-on DACs which offer a far more than average solution.
If you want it both, the ultimate DAC and the ultimate heaphone amp the only way to proceed is V220 / V281 + V800 - sorry for your wallet )
 
The noise floor from V220 / V281 is still outstanding low but 3-4 dB higher as the one from V200.
This is due to tons of more electronic in the signal path.
 
Greetz
 
Fried

 

[Xenophon]

Thanks a lot Fried, to all those reading this:  you see it in the response given above but, being an owner of a V800/V200 combo I can guarantee 2 things if you're considering purchasing a Violectric product:
 
a) Contrary to many competitors (and I've reviewed/auditioned some, trust me), Violectric and its management are absolutely zero ******** and the specs you read/answers you get are totally on the level and truthful.
b) Engineering and quality are top notch.  The packaging is nice but the contents/components are truly superior and no corners are cut.
 
The V800 is imo VERY hard to beat, a lot of functionality in that DAC, I particularly like the hardware implementation of the sampling options available  which gives you total control.  I'm confident in saying that doing better in any way that actually means anything will cost A LOT more money than its price and some people here like Project86 who have reviewed more DAC's than almost anyone will happily confirm that statement.
 
So I'd say...if you like the sound signature of the range...give that banking account a healthy wring and go for it!

 

[Megalomaniak]

  V220 / V281 share a similar sound signature as V200.
Although we have new add-on DACs for our headphone amps offering 24/192 technology, a better converter and enhanced analog output circuitry - DAC V800 is still ahead !
As a result V220 / V281 with one of the new add-on DACs will come closer to the sound signature of V200 + V800 but for my opinion will not meet it.
 
If you want superb D/A conversion and a (nearly) perfect unbalanced headphone amp stay with HPA V200 + DAC V800
If you want more flexibility concerning inputs/outputs, some more hopefully helpful features and a perfect headphone amp go for V220 / V281.
This is also true with the 24/192 add-on DACs which offer a far more than average solution.
If you want it both, the ultimate DAC and the ultimate heaphone amp the only way to proceed is V220 / V281 + V800 - sorry for your wallet )
 
The noise floor from V220 / V281 is still outstanding low but 3-4 dB higher as the one from V200.
This is due to tons of more electronic in the signal path.
 
Greetz
 
Fried

 
Good to hear, I loved the V200 sound signature.
 
For the money I dont mind going to the V281 over the V220, V281 gives an extra balanced output over the already excelent SE the V220 seems to have.
 
The output power is incredible, Im pretty sure 99% of the headphones are fine with the SE mode, but I wanna try them both!!
 
I will post pictures and a review when I get my unit.

 

[Red Jacket Mike]

I was interested in the V220/281, but the info a few posts back about the noise floor being a bit higher might be a deal breaker; a dead silent background is important to me.  Maybe I'll just keep the V200 I have, for now.

 

[Xenophon]

The difference is mathematical, for practical purposes it doesn't matter as even the 'noisier' background will still sound dead silent.

 

[Fegefeuer]

It'll be dead silent. Don't worry. 

 

[Megalomaniak]

  I was interested in the V220/281, but the info a few posts back about the noise floor being a bit higher might be a deal breaker; a dead silent background is important to me.  Maybe I'll just keep the V200 I have, for now.

 
V200 is rated in -100db noise floor, V90 is rated in -102db which seems better but we dont lose ourselves about it.
 
V220 / V281 will be around -96-98db which is dead silent. I tell you, Matrix M-Stage its -95db at 0 gain, and I run it at +10db which puts it round -80db noise, and I assure you this thing is dead silent too. Even @ +20db gain.

 

[Red Jacket Mike]

I guess I shouldn't have been concerned.  My V-200 is completely silent, and I would assume that an upgrade by the same company wouldn't change that.  I will be interested in getting one of the new models, with all of the options except the DAC.  I currently use my V200 with a W4S DAC-2, which I'm very happy with also.