Violectric HPA V550 - Blue's Brother and the successor to the V281
Feb 11, 2022 at 10:18 PM Post #331 of 1,053
The only solid-state headphone amplifier, that I can think of, with a ‘high’ output impedance is the Beyerdynamic A2. It has a switch underneath which has 0-ohm and 100-ohm settings. (Incidentally, Zach at ZMF Headphones is said to favour the Beyer h/p/a as a solid-state alternative because of the impedance.)
I'm sure they are great with ZMF but I have other headphones too. I don't think I am going to worry with it because I will eventually have tubes for the VC
 
Feb 12, 2022 at 5:03 AM Post #332 of 1,053
High damping factor, low impedance will "dry" the VC more up, shorten the decay etc, making them more technically impressive rather than maintaining their euphonic part.

That's how I would describe it, having heard the Verite with the Niimbus, V590, HPA-1, Crimson.

The Cavalli Liquid Crimson for instance was the best pairing among those, for the tone Zach intended.

I think in general @zach915m recommends competent, clean power at 300 Ohms, less damping and tubes in general.

That said I still enjoy the Verité on all the other amps.
 
Feb 12, 2022 at 10:41 AM Post #333 of 1,053
My ECP T4 amplifier has output impedance switch. VC (and VO) sounds much better on high output impedance.

Screenshot 2022-02-12 at 15.36.10.png


From solid state amps Zach recommends SparkoS Labs Aries.
 
Feb 12, 2022 at 10:13 PM Post #334 of 1,053
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Hello guys! +1 for proud owner of the V550! I am just in love with it!
 
Feb 12, 2022 at 10:24 PM Post #335 of 1,053
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Hello guys! +1 for proud owner of the V550! I am just in love with it!
What is the sound like? More weight and meaty sound or dry and clinical? Good dynamics? Also what headphones are you using?
 
Feb 12, 2022 at 10:49 PM Post #336 of 1,053
What is the sound like? More weight and meaty sound or dry and clinical? Good dynamics? Also what headphones are you using?
A very balanced sound with a huge soundstage. Natural but a tad on the warm side not clinical at all very musical can listen to all day long. Dynamics were great and bass are deep. I own a pair of Focal clear mg 2nd gen and a pair of Campfire Audio Solaris OG IEM. Any suggestions on what headphones should be on my list?
 
Feb 12, 2022 at 10:51 PM Post #337 of 1,053
A very balanced sound with a huge soundstage. Natural but a tad on the warm side not clinical at all very musical can listen to all day long. Dynamics were great and bass are deep. I own a pair of Focal clear mg 2nd gen and a pair of Campfire Audio Solaris OG IEM. Any suggestions on what headphones should be on my list?
Have you given any thought to a closed back? I just got my Verite Closed 2 weeks ago today and the hype is 100% real with those! I fell in love with them instantly.
 
Feb 12, 2022 at 11:00 PM Post #338 of 1,053
Have you given any thought to a closed back? I just got my Verite Closed 2 weeks ago today and the hype is 100% real with those! I fell in love with them instantly.
Wow good point! Something I never tot of! Never really considered closed back. Let me check on those! Thanks for the info!
 
Feb 13, 2022 at 6:03 AM Post #339 of 1,053
Does anyone know the specs for the internal fuse used for the v550?
 
Feb 13, 2022 at 10:25 AM Post #340 of 1,053
Does anyone know the specs for the internal fuse used for the v550?
The back of the V550 says T1A. Timed (slow-blow), 1 ampere. Note that internal mains fuses in Violectric headphone amplifiers are typically soldered to the pcb - no spring clips.
 
Feb 14, 2022 at 6:41 PM Post #341 of 1,053
I love my v281 but I always had issues with the relay volume at lower volume levels... I wonder if violectric fixed that in these new models... SO tempted to pull the trigger on this. Been powering straight out of my Hugo TT2 for awhile now though and not playing the amp rolling game has been nicer to my wallet. Hmmm what is a little more debt though.
 
Feb 14, 2022 at 8:40 PM Post #342 of 1,053
tempted to pull the trigger on this.
If you are seriously considering it and will be buying new, you might want to do it before March as the prices are going up according to an email I got from Arthur at Powerholdings Inc.
 
Feb 14, 2022 at 8:51 PM Post #343 of 1,053
If you are seriously considering it and will be buying new, you might want to do it before March as the prices are going up according to an email I got from Arthur at Powerholdings Inc.
Thanks so much for the heads up. I will have to highly consider my options then. I quite enjoy the power coming out of the hugo tt2 at the moment but sometimes it does push the low end to a point I find overwhelming to the overall sound signature in some setups. I will have to read some sound comparisons to this and the v281 to see were it falls. May skip the rely volume on this one if its an option though.
 
Mar 6, 2022 at 7:39 PM Post #344 of 1,053
I took the plunge and bought a used V550 Pro today. I was keeping my eye out for a used V281 but couldn’t pass up a very generous offer from another head-fier on the V550 Pro. Now the waiting begins.

:L3000:
 

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