Violectric v590 / v550 / v380 / v340 Headphone Amps

Hey there @Flashbolt, welcome to the group. v550 is a great amp , build quality and performance are both really solid, tho I could have some bias … Will be looking forward to your impressions.

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I should have probably added that my only other in-house headamp is a Burson Soloist 3xp with supercharger. Thanks to friends, I’ve been able to demo the Pass and a BW2. I exchanged emails with the power holdings folks who were great but it didn’t seem like there was a way to set up a demo.

I’m hoping it will be at least as technically capable as the Pass and allow me to test differences in some of the cables I make while also just being fantastic to relax and enjoy listening. If it doesn’t work out I’m happy to pay shipping back to TMR and wait for a deal on the Pass or god forbid, fall down another rabbit hole :rofl:

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I didn’t realize TMR has a return policy on used items. I just looked it up and 14 days is fantastic.

Their prices are often a little higher than USAudiomart, but on a multi-thousand dollar item, I think that premium is worth it if you think of it as a peace of mind insurance policy.

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Well, I came home from work yesterday ready to listen and I think the volume attenuator went bad. I always hear soft crackles when I adjust the volume, which I think are the relays working, but now I lose the right channel at different points. It pops back in between about 10am and 1pm but this is pretty annoying. I tried different inputs, cables and two different headphones out of balanced and SE connection.

I reached out to TMR and Power Holdings so we’ll see what happens. Huge bummer though as I’ve really grown to like it. I’ll keep you guys posted on how things progress.

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Quick question guys.

I currently own the v281 and v222 paired with the BF2. I dont like this pairing.

Currently looking for the soekris 2541 or Yggy Og a2.
Which one do you guys recommend?

Leaning towards the 2541 for being good pairing.
Looking for a synergy like BF2+RNHP

I have a v280 with the 2541, really a no nonsense pairing and helps to balance the sl warmer violectric. The combo to be is cleaner and has a fairly neutral one.

Have not heard the Yggy but +1 from me on the 2541+vio

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If you don’t like the pairing with the BF2, you’re probably not going to like the Yggy, they’re similar with the Yggy being more refined, detailed etc, but definitely cut from the same cloth.

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IMO the soekris is really great synergy for the range, I personally wasn’t the biggest fan of the v281 + bf2 pairing myself, although I did like the yggy + v550 pairing, although I don’t know if the v222 is closer to the v550 or v281. What do you not like about the pairing, and what might you want to keep?

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Thank you guys!
Seems the soekris is the one to get!

@M0N was wondering about to get yggy if i decide to step up with the v550.

Using my the focal clear with the v281 or v222 sounds to warm and kind of boomy. I used the BF2 on NOS with the v281, and I actually like the extra clarity overall.

I kind of like detail and Imaging. Something to grab me.

The hd8xx(sold) sounded good with v281 and v222 thought with the BF2.

If you’re after something more neutral with great clarity, detail, and imaging the 2541 is a really solid pick then, should be great, and a nice contrast to the bf2

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What about a Comet Plus? :wink:

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Well, that would be a really nice step up technicality wise lol. I do think it’s a bit softer than I like vs a soekris for a 281, but otherwise it’s just going to be the next level dac wise (for similar money used lol

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FWIW I really enjoyed the v281+Soekris 1541 matchup when I had them. It worked fantastic for me with the HEXv2 and then HEKv2 and Fostex TH900mk2 Pearl White & TH909.

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I have a v280 and BF2 driving a HEKv2 and I’m considering similar moves.

How is the 2541 in terms of width, depth and holographic abilities? I expect it to be rather flat, flatter than BF2 but clean and detailed. Is that more or less correct or is it an upgrade to BF2 in that regard?

I’m also considering a Qutest, its too flavoured to be my only DAC but next to the BF2 it might work.

It’s deeper than the bf2 but not as wide, generally more composed and accurate spatially but also doesn’t have a bit of the grandness the bf2 has as well, personally I’d say spatially it’s generally a bit ahead as long as you don’t mind something more generally accurate and no nonsense

Qutest is interesting but yes it’s going to be pretty colored in comparison imo

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I got the Soekris 2541 yesterday!

It’s too soon to give the impression. But, I like it so far (with the V281).

Any recommended filter or setting?

Using Douk U2 with coaxial to the 2541.

Currently set the pre-gain to -1 (With 0 the clip LED was blinking)
Filter set to black (LED off).

Edit: Pic added

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Wow @Alfredo3001 what a great looking setup IMO. Really taking me back to when I had something similar, ahh good times and good listens back then…

As far as filters go IIRC I preferred the “Butterworth” filter with my hp’s and tastes - there is no right or wrong its personal preference.

Regarding the volume and clipping I think I was using -4, you can set it to be preset there are instructions in the manual - that’s what I did so I did not have to use the knob on the DAC to control volume. I recall 0 dB to be just too hot so I think it was -2 to -4 where I set it when using it with the vio 281.

Have fun that was an awesome setup when I had it - very fond memories rolling back in, lol

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You guys like the V550 with +6 \ +18 gain or default? Mine still under burn in process so can’t decide yet.

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I’ve gone back and forth, but default 0dB is where I’ve landed for 90% of my listening. Going to +6 or -6 for hard to drive or very sensitive headphones respectively. I try to run the volume knob close to 12 o’clock.

What are you DACing it with?

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Yggy og a2

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