I have noted that a number of forum members do not think that there is a significant difference between SE versus balanced mode when it comes to driving headphones with a V281. By contrast, I am discovering that the V281 (in balanced mode) is significantly better than my V200 with respect to my HD800 headphones. Now that my amp is more "burned-in" I can better describe these differences - when using my Sony 5400ES CD-player as my only sound source.
Before I describe the differences in sound production, I will comment on two issues.
When I originally used my new V281 I found that the loud orchestral passages sounded unnaturally loud (and even raucous) when I set the softer orchestral passages at a clearly discernible volume level. That problem has resolved itself - presumably as a result of the "burn-in" process because I have not changed my system. I can now set the softer orchestral sound level louder (which is my preference for a more "sitting in the front row" aural experience rather than a "sitting in the mid-hall" aural experience) and the loud passages are then very loud, but not unnaturally raucous.
Secondly, project86 suggested that my Sony 5400ES is not really a balanced output device because it only produces 2V output at the XLR output jacks. I therefore performed the following experiment. I personally own two 5400ES CD-players so I connected the one (i) to the V281 with RCA connectors and the other one (ii ) with XLR connectors. I then played orchestral music with (i) and set the volume control at a comfortable listening level (with the pre-gain set at -6). I then listened to (ii) playing the same CD/music with the volume control and pre-gain control at the same setting. The volume level produced by my HD800 phones was very similar suggesting that (ii) is not putting out more power/voltage than (i) - and I suppose that means that my CD-player is not a "pure" balanced CD-player. I was also able to confirm that I personally prefer the sound when using XLR cables between the CD-player and my V281 amp. I am a music-lover, and not an audiophile-expert, and I am looking for advice. Could I get even better sound if I use a fully ("pure) balanced CD-player rather than my Sony 5400ES CD-player? Which fully balanced CD-player would you recommend? As an alternative approach, as I love Vioelectric products, I could buy the V800 DAC and then buy a CD transport. Would this be an even better solution? Which CD transport would you recommend?
Now, here is my personal impression of the V281 amp when used to drive my HD800 headphones in balanced mode - compared to my V200 amp, which obviously operates as a SE device.
1) The biggest difference relates to the soundstaging. The soundstage is wider and deeper, and therefore more capacious (cavernous). The soundstage also sounds more unconstrained/borderless at its outer limits. Instrument (or voice) location in the soundstage is identical to my V200 and they both image wonderfully well with silent (black) backgrounds. However, the sound produced with the V281 is more full-bodied - presumably because the soundstage is bigger (and because there is no increased amount of "air" surrounding each instrument in the bigger soundstage). I can also discern significantly better clarity of each instrument/voice when playing complex musical passages eg. when listening to opera when a number of individual opera singers are singing at the same time while a male chorus and female chorus are simultaneously singing) with less auditory congestion (smearing of sounds).
2) The V281 amp also produces a greater dynamic range. When I set the volume control for a desired volume level for softer orchestral passages, then the loud orchestral passages are louder (when compared to my V200 experience). Also, the transition in sound levels from ppp => pf => fff is more seamless/effortless and more reminiscent of "live" orchestral music (when I sit in "front row" seats).
3) The V281 can also produce very soft sounds (eg. plucked harp string, soft triangle strikes, castanet clicks, very soft kettle drum drumbeats) with greater clarity and a faster transient attack. When listening to the Mercury Living Presence "Balalaika Favorites" CD, I can more clearly hear each individual string-pluck with no overhang (no smearing/congestion) that more closely resembles "live" sound.
4) The frequency balance is much better. My HD800 headphones are now very neutral sounding. The HD900 headphones have a reputation of having an over-exuberant treble balance and this is very apparent when I plug the headphones directly into either my Marantz 8001 or Sony 5400ES CD-player's inbuilt headphone jack. When I use the V200 between the CD-player and my headphones, the sound is much improved with much better soundstaging, far less congestion/smearing and a significant taming of the over-exuberant treble range so that there is only a hint of too much treble energy (eg, that produces slight sibilance in the upper range of soprano voices). When using the V281 amp, I can no longer detect any excess treble energy and the sound is very neutral and very natural throughout the frequency range.
5) The overall sound is very "pure" and less grainy. I listen to a lot of opera music and I have always noted that the sound produced by opera singers is less "pure" and slightly uneven/grainy (using my V200) compared to my considerable personal experience with hearing "live" opera at the Met (where I used to attend about 15-20 performances/year when I lived near NYC). The slight sense of graininess (uneven voice quality) that is still present when I use my V200 is not present when using my V281 amp and this is the first time in my 45 year history of being an ardent audiophile that I have achieved this delightful auditory result.
Jeff.
