Violectric HPA V550 Headphone Amp & Preamp Review + A Detailed Comparison with HPA-V281
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- čas přidán 13. 06. 2024
- This V550 was a loan from a friend of the channel. Thanks!
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Timestamps...
00:00 Intro, Pricing, Disclaimer
01:11 Shameless Self Promotion
01:35 Main Points
03:47 Features & Specs
06:59 Build Quality & Unit Tour
10:10 Test Gear
12:20 Sound
18:29 Thoughts on Headphone Pairings
22:26 Thoughts on DAC Pairings
24:45 Comparison with HPA V281
31:12 Final Thoughts
Nice to see a fair review of an amp that hasn't gotten the attention it deserves. I own one and love it.
Literally asked for this review not long ago. Thanks a lot, WaveTheory, for this review! 😊
Thanks for this great review. I had this amp on my shortlist a few years ago - never had the chance to listen to one (pandemic lockdown then) - but I am glad your review agrees with what I more or less figured out online back then. Here in Europe price is about 2400 euros including tax and delivery.
I got the 550 PRO, the 2nd revision with the 4.4mm out. 2nd the PRO will have a noise when changing the volume, not in the room but in the headset. This revie pretty much on point. What I would describe this amp is natural. Everything is in it's proper place. Details are there if you want to pay attention, but the amp never attempt to impress you. When you get it at first you feel it is missing something, until you realize that normally this is the sound you would hear in person, even the sound stage. Sound is large, wide, and decent but not huge depth... like every real concert stage, so you need to decide if you want to impress people, or just want a natural pleasant sound. I am pairing it with a chord Qtest + Initio 3 Linear PSU, and I mostly play jazz and classical. Now Qtest is not an aggressive DAC but it works well. It also makes a good team with WA-6SE, that is a little more forward with the details, so you get 2 flavors, and you can pre-amp it if you want a middle ground. After watching this review, I wonder if I should still go with Rockna Wavelight that is silky smooth or make a huge effort (we are talking 5k vs 10k for SE or 15K for balanced) to jump to Wavedream signature that I know it is more aggressive with the details.
3 thumbs up! awesome review !
finally!! here we go
I Really appreciate the great comparison review, especially as a fellow V281 owner. Thanks WT! I've been a subscriber since I saw your first review of your V281. BTW,....do you think Ryan's Modhouse Tungsten (single and double sided versions) headphones will pair well with this venerable classic??
Ryan (owner and founder of Modhouse) says Vios do well. I just got the double sided in so we're gonna find out soon.
Fantastic! Please review as soon as is practicable,...don't want to get left out! Particularly interested in double versus single w/V281. Thank you sir!@@wavetheorysound
Thanks for great review as always!
What would be your choice for an amp for the Utopia OG 22 between the vio550 and the Lta MZ3? Or do you Recommend something else for it.
Tough call. They both do well. Gun to head I'd probably go MZ3 (for the OG Utopia, can't say with the '22). But there are other factors here. Like the MZ3 can also drive speakers but the Vio will power some cans that the MZ3 just won't have the power for.
Black Void is my favorite Grindcore band!
Any chance of a revue of the 380 m2 or 590 coming any time soon? Would love to hear your thoughts on the DAC’s in the higher end all in ones ..
Awsome review as always 👍so in your opinion V281 is closer to which amp, V550 or V222/V226.
The presentation is more like the V222/226 but the technical proficiency is closer to V550
Which outputs did you use for your testing? I prefer the single-ended one on my unit.
I know I’m nobody here, but it’d be awesome if you did an update or re-review of the GSX-Mini. I’ve been hearing you mention it a lot lately but compared to your current review style and in light on your better understanding of the high end amp market, I don’t think that older review holds up as well.
I know for example that when you reviewed it you had different expectations than you might for that price now. It’d be cool to get a current hot take on where it lands in the landscape based on what you’ve heard since. Great video as always!
I have a Mini right now. I bought it used, a consequence of which is that it doesn't have to go anywhere on a specific timetable. Thus it waits it's turn. But yes, I'll be returning to it in near future. Stay tuned!
@@wavetheorysound Awesome! Thanks for the update. I’ll be looking forward to it.
Thoughts on this vs Benchmark if need both headphone and preamplifier for my desktop setup? DAC is Hugo TT2.
Do you have an opinion on what Audeze's LCD-5 might sound like with the V590? thanks
hello, which amp give you more openess and control in bass on susvara? V281, v550, ferrum stack or ifi ican?
I've not heard Ferrum + Sus yet as I didn't have them at the same time. The best "reasonably priced" amp I've heard for Sus is the Goldenwave Prelude, now distributed by Hifiman. See my review for more details.
@@wavetheorysound thanks for your response friend. For me it is difficult to buy the prelude. Actually I have seen a v550 and v281 used at very low price in germany (i am in europe) and that is the reason why i wolud like to know which is better for susvara between both vioelectrics.
I have heard my susvara on v281 and sounds very good. But in my opinion, sounds very similar in my burson. And i really want to know if with the extra power of v550, the susvara will sound better (at least in bass control) in comparison to v281?
@@dynamic-audio I didn't love Sus on the 550. It has more overall control but is too laid back in its presentation. IMO Sus needs a dynamic amp.
@@wavetheorysound i have the same sensation in my burson soloist. But i dont know if that is because the presentation of the amp or because it does not have enough power. When i tested my sus on v281, they sounded more with more bass impact and presence but the same control (i though) in comparison to my burson. But v281 also sound smoother. Was a very good experience. Then i think i will go for a v281 to replace my burson. Actually some people say that the best are holo and new burson voyager and eleum but they are so expensive for my wallet hehwhe.
@@dynamic-audio there are also several listeners out there who like the Sus with the Oor+Hypsos stack so it's at least worth trying if you find a good return policy.
I ended up getting the DHA m2.. has 4.4 and xlr, and dedicated DAC built in. Can’t fault it as an all in one..
Hope you also review high end tube amps (non hybrid) in future like Feliks Envy, Cayin HA-300B, Ampsandsound Agartha etc.
I have the same hopes. I'll do my best but a channel my size isn't always on the top of the list for review units.
@@wavetheorysound Hope fans like us promote your channel so it becomes bigger 🙂
With the emergence of higher voltage hungry headphones like the Modhouse Tungstens expect this amp and many others by Violectric / The Lake People may start to get more attention. Have you had any experience with that pairing?
I have not heard Tungsten yet
I have this amp and I pretty much concur with most of your conclusions. I replaced a v281 with the v550 so have heard both and again pretty much concur with your thoughts. I have the v550 matched with a Yggy OG and it is a favorite combo for me. I really enjoy it with the TH909 and LCD-24. I do not care for it that much with the Susvara or HE6sev2. As you mentioned, the Sus and HE6 needed (for my tastes) a little more impact. But that's why I have the Spring 3 KTE and Ferrum Oor, or Bliss KTE (with the Ferrum Oor my fav out of those two amps) setup for the Susvara and HE6. When I first got the v550 it took me a while to get over the fact that it was not thick and lush and impactful as the v281 but when I switched back to it from the v550 I really noticed how much more clear and resolving the v550 was for me with the rest of my setup and library and in technicalities all around and clearly as you put it, more refined. The v550 makes me want to hear a Nimbus US5 now, the top of the Lake people food chain of amps. See if Arthur will send you one of those over. Oh well I digress , thanks for the review!
Lots of current on tap and powering things correctly, all things being equal. Tends to have a smoother sound. Sometimes when amps are working to hard to drive something they can come across a little bit harder, or even harsh in extreme examples.
Having listened to their entire line up on things like the Susvara, 2023 Utopia and PS1000e. I can say the house sound is super consistent between everything with better performance and power being the biggest factors deciding between them all. There are subtle differences, but nothing egregious or what explain the somewhat more layback and smoother sound. Which I love, I love that liquid gold sound.
Of course, this is nit picking and all personal preference. Some like having that harder transients of other amps. That's OK.
But I don't think it is more of a function of the amp working so easily the harmonic distortions are lower and everyone is being rendered smoother.
You are one of the fews talking about soundstage depth. What do you think are the best headphones and amps for this purpose?
dx9 and susvara, add some amping at home, at least a90, since you can listen to 'original sound' anytime
uh got mixed with smth else, for portable the astell is
amping is optional then
This is the old version of V550. The latest version has replace a 6.35mm with a 4.4mm phone out.
Same same
both are exactly same except the 4.4mm with the new one.
Makes sense given that the update to the V281 is getting the same treatment. My sound assessment should still be current.
ModHouse new headphone is Tungsten, maybe?
I wonder if you added +5db or +10db pre-gain in V550 with Susvara, some head-fi folks says the Sus works better with it.
Wondering the same thing. Zeos recently accessed the V340 and had positive results adjusting the gain. It would be valuable to know if you tried changing the dip switches during your listening sessions. Thanks for the detailed and insightful review.
Hello, I'd like to hear your opinion about the aune s9c pro and if it can compete with Violectric or questyle CMA e.g.
I too would like to try it. I'll ask around.
Im looking for a good preamp for connection to a power amp any suggestions for a good smooth 3d holographic presentation either analog and digital connections, doest matter fully balanced would be great, so many choices, whats best in class. Headphone section I'm not bothered about
I'd first start with Schiit's preamps and see if they're of interest.
I'm in love with the gsx mini but I'm afraid I have to accept the fact that I'll never be able to afford it, and this one seems to be the best realistic alternative.
Hello sir. I am thinking about two amps which you reviewed. The SPL Phonitor X and this Violectric V550. My headphones are dynamic headphones, the Denon D9200 and Sennheiser HD650. Maybe in future I purchase a Sennheiser HD800s or a Focal Utopia 2022. So which amp do you recommend? Thank you.
if you don´t need pre outs but a DAC, go n buy an Phonitor XE, it has the better DAC as the X.Phonitor XE is an masterpiece with enthusiastic and vibrant sound. Violectric V550 is good, but sounds so boring. it´s not a keeper
Hmmm, I thought the Phonitor did great with Fostex biodynas (which the Denon has, IIRC). Unfortunately I did not have Utopia at the time Phonitor was in here so I can't comment on that pairing.
Hi @@Hakku1403 , interesting comparison between the Phonitor XE and the Violectric V550. I had the same impression (I have the Phonitor XE at home, and have auditioned the V550 a couple of times). To me the Phonitor sounds more capable of rendering details from whatever high-end source you have. It has a wider soundstage. On the other hand, the V550 might be a little more tonally dense, with more treble control. So they are trading blows in some respect. What have been your impressions of how they differ?
It's probably obvious but did you try the SE vs balanced and what's your take? The problem I have with all these SS amps is that I hardly have any balanced HPs so I suspect I would not be able to benefit from them as much. I read on headfi that the Vios might be an exception though as they process the signal as SE (if that's even possible) no matter what.
What headphones are you using? Referring to a headphone as balanced or single-ended is puzzling to me. The drivers are neither. It's how they're wired that determines what amp output you can use. Do you have a lot of attached cable headphones with only 6.3mm connectors?
@@wavetheorysound yes i was referring to the cables but worded it it that way out of laziness.
@@wavetheorysound using lots of dynamic driver HPs, Borealis, Final Sonoros line, TH900, Grado Hemp, Nighthawk, AWAS, Philphone.. Both my harder to drive planars have bal. cables so theyre fine. I still have a microzotl and asus xonar for SE so i'm probably overthinking a little here considering the ease of drivability of the dynamic drivers (and the vio is a bit resolution overkill for some of them) . Did you manage to get your hands on DMS' omega headphone, that'd be sweet? 😃
♥
How is it with iems ? And what is the level of resolution compared to the gsx mini and v281
I didn't check. Given how quiet it is it's probably just fine if you back down the input gain. I don't rec the V281 for iems. I don't think I've ever tried the Mini with them.
@@wavetheorysound ok thanks for replying.. now would you say the 550 can out resolve the gsx?
hi, shall you review also the Aune S17 Pro? :) thx
First LQQK up what city Aune is manufactured in.
Reggae, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊
I don't think you'll want anything in your home shipped from there.
@@TriAmpHiFiwhat difference does it make now? Everybody has been through that by now
This or Phonitor XE?
🤔 Retro sci-fi look at a futuristic price point.