[FinHifi]

Some good suggestions. I also had thoughts about the Lake People DAC RS06 or Violectric Dac V800 or V850 and try and keep a classic set together. Rather than go for the fancy new stuff might be cool too. Go old school.

I have V850, and I love it. Was going to recommend these options you listed also My understanding is that these sound the same as V850, which is perfect for me.

 

[AudioPowerHead]

I have V850, and I love it. Was going to recommend these options you listed also My understanding is that these sound the same as V850, which is perfect for me.

I second the V850. Smooth organic and clear sounding dac that has a relaxed presentation. @chrisyak , if you can find a used V800 or V850, I would say go for it.

 

[lauthoerer]

Unsurprisingly, after (only) a couple of days and impatiently throwing 5 headphones in the mix, it’s hard for me to clearly pick a winner amongst the Vios… I’m baffled by the V222, though! Value/money wise, that one is just great! And without actively trying to discern differences to the V281 and V590, I actually don’t miss/mind anything in the V222.

 

[chrisyak]

I second the V850. Smooth organic and clear sounding dac that has a relaxed presentation. @chrisyak , if you can find a used V800 or V850, I would say go for it.

It is a problem, the only decently priced one I can track down is in Greece, not sure how long or how bumpy that ride would be for the Amp.

 

[FinHifi]

It is a problem, the only decently priced one I can track down is in Greece, not sure how long or how bumpy that ride would be for the Amp.

Get a V800, based on my reading, it is the same as V850.

 

[TooFrank]

Unsurprisingly, after (only) a couple of days and impatiently throwing 5 headphones in the mix, it’s hard for me to clearly pick a winner amongst the Vios… I’m baffled by the V222, though! Value/money wise, that one is just great! And without actively trying to discern differences to the V281 and V590, I actually don’t miss/mind anything in the V222.

Thanks for this. I have the V222 and am happy - bought it because it should be very V281 like. Then not long after it was again possible to buy the V281, and I have been wondering if I should have bought that one in stead But I choose to interpret your comparisons, in the way that the V222 is a good choice so no regrets....

 

[lauthoerer]

Thanks for this. I have the V222 and am happy - bought it because it should be very V281 like. Then not long after it was again possible to buy the V281, and I have been wondering if I should have bought that one in stead But I choose to interpret your comparisons, in the way that the V222 is a good choice so no regrets....

Hahaha, you’re certainly welcome! I have some ideas what there is to like in the V281 over the V222 but most of them are in the handling/options. What I think (!) is different in the sound is a little more engagement and bass in the V222, but I’ll need some more time to verify this. If you like the sound of your amp and don’t miss any options, you can sit back and enjoy!

 

[oqvist]

I think it’s unlikely that they are suboptimally set from the factory, but this is a case where I just don’t know what I don’t know, so it might be worth experimenting…

I will ask them. Spent all weekend not a single issue. Then reappeared yesterday. I am 99.999 % sure there is nothing wrong with it. I bet if I put it in my living room it will be the same as my tube amp no issue ever.

 

[equalspeace]

Anybody using the space in between the notches on the volume knob? Just realized you can do this for my fine tuning, particularly when the gain is set higher for hard to drive cans and you want to listen with lower impedance cans with out going to the back of the unit to make adjustments

 

[lauthoerer]

Wow…. (really never occurred to me)

 

[Pharmaboy]

Anybody using the space in between the notches on the volume knob? Just realized you can do this for my fine tuning, particularly when the gain is set higher for hard to drive cans and you want to listen with lower impedance cans with out going to the back of the unit to make adjustments

Your post reminds me of doing this very thing on the Lake People G109-A, which used a volume pot that felt stepped, but was actually just an Alps-27 with cogs, or some other internal that gave the clicky feel. With that pot, it was definitely possibly to set it between clicks to further subdivide volume levels. It only worked because the pot was not a true stepped pot (resistor- or relay-based); and the "steps" were rather large/course.

Never laid eyes on a V202 or V222, never twirled those pots, so have no idea what they feel like. Do they appear to be stepped?

 

[AnyDave]

Your post reminds me of doing this very thing on the Lake People G109-A, which used a volume pot that felt stepped, but was actually just an Alps-27 with cogs, or some other internal that gave the clicky feel. With that pot, it was definitely possibly to set it between clicks to further subdivide volume levels. It only worked because the pot was not a true stepped pot (resistor- or relay-based); and the "steps" were rather large/course.

Never laid eyes on a V202 or V222, never twirled those pots, so have no idea what they feel like. Do they appear to be stepped?

The 226 I have here has detents, but isn't stepped.

 

[equalspeace]

Wow…. (really never occurred to me)

Yea not having thought of it sooner was one of my moments of wondering how I've gotten so far in life

 

[chrisyak]

Finally got a hold of a Violectric V800 cost me $750 with delivery from Greece , New, Open Box. This should pair nicely with the V222. If anyone wants one the guy has one left for sale on eBay.

What would cables would recommend for pairing these two. I think I might have some 20 year old RCA gold plated monster cables but these like 3 feet and stiff like board.

 

[lauthoerer]

Audioquest Sidney work nicely for me!