Violectric HPA V281 - Vorsprung durch Balanced

The Violectric V281
Balanced Headphone Amp​

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(all above photos by user: Gipsy)​

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(photo by user: jark)

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(photo by user: zkadoush)
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technical insight and explanations by Fried Reim:

Why not to use certain adapters to hear SE Headphones on the XLR out: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/vio...-durch-balanced.705318/page-223#post-13940502

Pin configuration for the case you want to build a proper one https://www.head-fi.org/threads/vio...-durch-balanced.705318/page-176#post-13219596

About different kinds of potentiometers (volume control) http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/315#post_10807716

About balanced control inside V220/V281/V600 http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/360#post_10832913

About line in- and outputs, levels, impedances and cables between. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/vio...-durch-balanced.705318/page-210#post-13774413

About balanced and unbalanced signals https://www.head-fi.org/threads/vio...-durch-balanced.705318/page-250#post-14378632

A bit of technical advice and setting recommendations:

user impressions:

Project86:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/435#post_10904148
http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/435#post_10904682 (vs. Liquid Fire/Glass)
http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/450#post_10906770 (vs. Svetlana 2)
http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/465#post_10919961 (vs. Auralic Taurus)
http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/675#post_10986109 (vs. CMA800R)

TonyNewman:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/1650#post_12285066
http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/1650#post_12285131
http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/1650#post_12285172
http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/1650#post_12285571 (V281 vs. Auralic Taurus)
http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/1695#post_12297730 (V281+Ether C)
http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/1800#post_12488990 (V281 vs. MA 430HA)
http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/1800#post_12491876 (vs. 430HA
http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/1815#post_12496379 (vs. 430HA)

PleasantSounds:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/510#post_10930645 (summary between the V281, BHA-1, Taurus mk2 and p700u, using HD800)

Frank I:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/660#post_10982201
http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/660#post_10982474

JeffMann:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/735#post_11018189

saxelrod92:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/1095#post_11157787

zkadoush:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/1200#post_11248048

Tobes:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/1275#post_11333632

ab_ba:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/705318/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced/1485#post_11751438

Madbull's Volume Control Demonstration:





External Reviews:

http://www.headfonia.com/violectric-v281-masterpiece/
http://www.innerfidelity.com/conten...-v281-headphone-amplifier#Gy7KbZRd7huEZ0Db.97
http://www.hifitest.de/test/kopfhoererverstaerker/violectric-hpa_v281_10166
http://headphone.guru/violectric-hpa-v281-balanced-headphone-amp-dac/

V281 MANUAL

http://violectric-usa.com/download/Violectric V281 Manual.pdf

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POWER SPECS:
Quote:

A few photos from the Munich High End Show 2014:
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Black front




Black V220



HE-560 to listen to via V281/V220



back



Remote control, could be fully tested and works like a charm.

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A few pictures of the internals:



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Wowza, that's a small fortune for this thing, still...i'm interested

 

This is going to be the amp of the year!  Can't wait for it

 

Will u be starting a pre order list?

 

 
I don't know yet if they want to do such a thing on Head-Fi, I've just asked about it. There is huge worldwide interest on these though so they'll be quite busy.

 

any hint on the v220 pricing?
 
looks like the v282 is going into really competitive waters with that price tag
 
i like the extensive work done to improve usability in the input/output section, and the pot options are really exhaustive, as well as the upgraded dac options but i'm more interested in the new standalone dac offerings
 
any hint for the upcoming dac devices (v800 successor)?

 

V220 will be around 1000€ basic and more depending on your upgrades. No news about V800 successor, I guess the USB option will be upgraded first before any new model.
 
*updated the OP with more pictures and new prices* (thank you Arthur!)

 

And the v200 less expensive :atsmile:

 

Oh boy... dilemma. Wait for the new V220 or get a V200?

Sent from my SHV-E300S using Tapatalk

 

Here is some info i posted in the v200 forum earlier, but since Fegefeuer asked to repost:
 
I was in touch with Fried Reim in December and i asked him about the new amps. I hope he doesn't mind, if i share  it with you guys.
 
About amps to come ...
 
We are working on successors of V181 and V200, named V281 and V220.
To save costs V220 will be the base of V281.
 
They will have double height cases so 2 "standard" units will meet the height of the new amp(s),
also the cases might be a little deeper.
The basic V200 circuitry will remain and will be implemented into the balanced V281.
The transformer will be bigger to have a bit more amp-juice and the ability to feed some nice options.
The inputs (balanced, unbalanced and the optional digital input) are selectable from the front.
There will be a (balanced ?) line output on the back.
This can be set to be adjustable or fixed to the input source.
The basic version will have a manual volume control and a manual balance control.
1st option is the remote control with motorized potentiometer for the volume and for input selecting.
2nd option is a 128-step relais based volume, also together with the inputs remote controlled.
Finally 1 of 6 digital input options may be chosen: USB/Opto/Coax with up to 96 or 192 kHz sample rate.
 
We hope to release these new amps middle of 2014.
 
Also there will be some nice priced but high featured Lake People DACs to be released soon
to establish Lake People even more as a "budget" solution under Violectric.
 
Well, I'm waiting for the v281 without question
 
  

 

Wait is my advice...if you can   At the very least the prices of the V200 on the used market will come down substantially.  I'm sticking with my V800/200 combo, have a speaker amp under way to power my hungriest beast (HE-6, the 200 powers it well but there's better to be had from even more power, curious about the specs on the upcoming model).
 
Very happy with Violectric but with the new pricing they're entering in some serious heavy hitters' water, I'm very curious to see how the new units will stack up.
 
Anyway, thanks for the info, I'm subscribed!

 

Nice!
 
I thought the V281 was dead in the water for not hearing anything about it for so long.
 
I even made a speculation thread about the V281 back in 2011!!!
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/547859/new-violectric-amps-from-lake-people-coming-info-from-ceo-fried-riem
 
The balanced one looks very promising!
 
Is there an early adopter pre-order bonus program???

 

YEEES, sell yours v200's on the used market !!!! :wink_face:

 

For those lacking the virtue of patience (I'm a platinum club member myself):  take a look on amazon.de
 
If you hunt patiently you'll find an attractively priced one for sure, they pop up regularly there.  Or at thomann.de , they regularly clean house of demo units and it's possible to get a hefty discount.

 

Too bad I have to stick with amazon.fr !! I see good other deals on amazon.com also but I can't order, RESTRICTION h34r:

Agree thomann is a very good store around here but I only see B stock to get the v200 less expensive

Can't wait anymore !!!