13713
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2012
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I don't see DSD being a part of a Violectric product unless they change their minds. Fried has made comments on how he feels about DSD.
DSD itself is irrelevant. The only appeal of DSD is that nobody is going release something in that format without it being mixed/mastered very well. At least those are my thoughts on the matter. If the exact same track was released in both DSD and HQ PCM wav formats, I don't think anyone would care.
I have the now discontinued V181. Not made the leap to a V280 or V281 as of yet. My understanding is that the V181 is less warm than a V200 and more transparent than a V100. V280 or 281 (balanced) should be a clear upgrade to my V181 though; particularly due to the PSU and more premium components.
That said, I do think highly of the pairing with my Ether Open. Very balanced and coherent. Nothing really stands out or comes across as glaring. e.g. no grating treble, rolled off highs, sibilance, over/underwhelming bass, recessed mids, vocals that are too forward, etc.
It doesn't leave me yearning for more. If I hear the V280 or V281 myself, maybe my mind would change after the fact. Jump start the upgraditis itch. Lol.
DSD itself is irrelevant. The only appeal of DSD is that nobody is going release something in that format without it being mixed/mastered very well. At least those are my thoughts on the matter. If the exact same track was released in both DSD and HQ PCM wav formats, I don't think anyone would care.
yeah man, I feel that my current set-up is fine as it is, however I feel that with the mojo although the sound quality is very good, I'm itching for upgrades mainly in the soundstage, dynamic, and bass impact, although upgrades in the other area is desirable too.
v281 seems like it will fix my need for soundstage, dynamic upgrade and also the bass impact.
I have the Pioneer Master 1 and am thinking about going balanced. Would this be a good match with the Vio? Any owners able to comment? Dac would be the Metrum Menuet (balanced out)
With all these DAC talk, I hope Violectric is watching the thread and working hard on some new high quality USB DAC product.
It seems like a lot of people have their mind set on V281 (like me), but wandering around to find a DAC that's worthy of connecting to it.
V850 is great, but a lot has moved on in the DAC products over the last couple of years, and it certainly needs a good update.
For example I have too many DSD albums so native DSD256 support became a must-have. Other people would have other wishes.
Also for some people the V850 is a bit of an overkill (since majority of the cost is the hefty metal chassis and the power supply).
An updated onboard DAC card for V281 would be great.
For example, I recently tried a Simaudio MOON 430HAD headphone amp, which has a similar tiny onboard DAC card as an optional addition, and that sounded pretty good to me, that I felt no need to buy an external DAC.
@manpowre
Curious too about your impressions with those different DACs in combination with the V281. What does the Yggy better than the HD30 for example?
Did anybody have the chance to audition the V281 with the Metrum Pavane?
I have an Auralic Vega, a very good DAC too, also combined with the V281. But the more I listen to the Vega, the less I like its treble sparkle.
Aren't you thinking of the V800 by chance? The V850 actually is the update that came out last year. DSD won't happen with Violectric.
Edit: It's true though that the Violectric DACs have never gotten the same amount of love as their amps.
+1. After a while I found the "glassy" and sometimes "steely" treble of the Vega to be fatiguing, even with the V281 or a 300B tube amp. Then I went to a Hegel HD30 DAC - a very strong DAC technically, but lacking in any warmth or musicality for me. There is a hard edge to the sound that I also find fatiguing. Next step is the M1 Bricasti. Hopefully that will end my search for a non-fatiguing DAC.
Maybe you need to forget DACs and get a turntable
That is also what I experience with Oppo HA-1 feeding the V281 directly from pre-out. More or less the same as the oppo analogue part itself. So it must be the DAC. I have connected the Yggdrasil to Oppo, and it does a good job amplifying, but the 3d perspective isnt really there, and the soundstage is somehow compressed with the Oppo compared to V281 as amp.
However, I couldn't yet bring myself to buy the balanced cable, so I'm running SE at the moment.