[vonBaron]

I don't think so...
At least i hope not

 

[jlbrach]

personally I think the 281 is better than the mini but thats me....I expect the 550 pro to be a real hit

 

[vonBaron]

Never head V281, soon i will be listen Niimbus.
Read that V281 is warm amp and V550 can be even warmer?

 

[Fegefeuer]

No, the V550 is a middle-point between the US4+ and the V281.

 

[jlbrach]

the way it has been reported to me is the 550 is a bit more powerful, quieter with a larger soundstage...that sounds like a hell of a combo to me

 

[vonBaron]

No, the V550 is a middle-point between the US4+ and the V281.

Well i can see that.

 

[buzzlulu]

No, the V550 is a middle-point between the US4+ and the V281.

And my understanding is that the Nimbus is in the direction of less warm so a V550 would be slightly less warm than the V281 - correct?

the way it has been reported to me is the 550 is a bit more powerful, quieter with a larger soundstage...that sounds like a hell of a combo to me

Quieter is what I want as that was my problem with the V281. Other than that I quite liked it.
Larger soundstage? That would be nice for my main cans the Utopia

 

[Fegefeuer]

Yes, Niimbus is the most neutral, followed by the V550 and then the V281. V550 is already a departure from the 281 so while it's a successor it's not the same sound. It eases off the V281's euphonic slider and turns up technicalities. If people are happy with the V281's signature there's no need to change. However happiness around here is not about settling so let's not get carried away.

I still suggest getting the V590 Pro since its DAC is so good and pretty undersold. However the AKM fire has terrible consequences now.

 

[sahmen]

Yes, Niimbus is the most neutral, followed by the V550 and then the V281. V550 is already a departure from the 281 so while it's a successor it's not the same sound. It eases off the V281's euphonic slider and turns up technicalities. If people are happy with the V281's signature there's no need to change. However happiness around here is not about settling so let's not get carried away.

I still suggest getting the V590 Pro since its DAC is so good and pretty undersold. However the AKM fire has terrible consequences now.

Nothing against the V590 (pro), but setting aside DACs, do you know whether or when the V550 or the pro version might ever return to Drop (or Massdrop)?

 

[Fegefeuer]

No idea. No Pro version for drop though. Just get it from @ArthurPower

 

[479235]

is the DAC in the 590 better than the Bifrost 2?

 

[Men1608]

Yes, Niimbus is the most neutral, followed by the V550 and then the V281. V550 is already a departure from the 281 so while it's a successor it's not the same sound. It eases off the V281's euphonic slider and turns up technicalities. If people are happy with the V281's signature there's no need to change. However happiness around here is not about settling so let's not get carried away.

I still suggest getting the V590 Pro since its DAC is so good and pretty undersold. However the AKM fire has terrible consequences now.

I’m happy with V281 signature and shall not be ‘upgrading’ to V550 / 590.

 

[buzzlulu]

I still suggest getting the V590 Pro since its DAC is so good and pretty undersold.

Sorry however I come from high end 2 channel land (Naim,Linn,dCS) and take a different approach
from many on HeadFi. When system building I spend the biggest part of my budget with a “source first” rule. Amplifier and speaker (headphone) budget come afterwards.
I will be using the V550 Pro primarily with a Linn Klimax DS. dCS Rossini after that.

 

[jlbrach]

I agree with you for the most part...DAC first followed by amp although of late I am starting to amend that slightly

 

[Lolito]

Sorry however I come from high end 2 channel land (Naim,Linn,dCS) and take a different approach
from many on HeadFi. When system building I spend the biggest part of my budget with a “source first” rule. Amplifier and speaker (headphone) budget come afterwards.
I will be using the V550 Pro primarily with a Linn Klimax DS. dCS Rossini after that.

That sounds like a fabolous approach. Many people saying all dacs are the same, but it is not true and it is the source. In vinyl people spend lot o fmoney on cartridges and what not. No point on making any expensive digital setup without a decent dac. Have you heard Denafrips ARES II dac?