Currently I have the v550 dip switches set to 0dB position as a compromise setting for the two headphones I primarily run from that setup (TH909 and LCD-24). I could probably drop it to -6dB setting tbh, if using just those two HP’s. If using the TH909 alone I could get away with -12dB. HE6se v2 and Susvara I’d go the other way to a +12dB.
So it will come down to what headphones you are using - I went with a compromise setting because even though I really dig this amp one quirk I have is having to power it off, reach around the back, and set dip switches to adjust input gain. I’ve found that setting switches to the 0dB setting and using balanced input is a common ground for most HP’s I have - and I just don’t run the Susvara or HE6 off this setup anyway - I use the other setup for those HP’s, primarily to avoid having to fiddle with the switches…
Also - it is good to remember that if you are using the balanced input, that it is +6db so a 0db setting of dipswitches is really already +6 aka add 6dB if using balanced input.
I should mention if not already known - that I have the Yggy A2 Unison paired with the v550 currently. The Yggy specs out with 4v on the balanced output. As a side note, when I ran the Spring 3 (5.8v balanced outputs) I added additional -6db to any setting to account for the hotter output of the Holo DAC.
Quick update, after going through TMR, Headphones.com and American Music and Sound, my unit was replaced and I just got the new one today. Stellar customer service all around and I’m very happy to have it back.
Plugging the 6xx in the V550 is impressive. I don’t mind listening to this everyday. Everything improved, seperation and space, impact, bass, tonality, vocals, goosebumps and all. Don’t feel its a 200$ headphone and makes you not care about the missing details.
Same with the 1990, completely removed its harshness and thinness. Nice.
And Nighthawk became magic.
After some time with the Soekris 2541. It is a good pairing with the V281 and V222. I think is time for the RNHP+BF2 OG to retire.
The V281 and 2541 pairing is more resolving, richer, and wider while sounding natural.
The V222 and 2541 pairing is not as wide as the v281. Sounds more focused with more slam and tightness in the bass (A lot of fun with the focal clear OG)
One has to go, either the V222 or V281. Leaning towards keeping the V281 since you cannot buy it
anymore. Curious about the durability of V281.
Interesting findings, the seller included an AQ forest USB A to B. In my first week, I used the monoprice monolith USB A to B. Later, decide to switch to the AQ forest. I cannot use the AQ forest. That cable makes the pairing more resolving and clearer but brings the mid-shouty-ness to the Clear OG. I was looking at cables to upgrade my chain, but now I’m afraid of buying an expensive cable to make it sound shouty :/. At the same time, that finding makes me question the upgrade path V550+2541 or V550+Yggy OG.
A couple thoughts… take them with a grain of salt…
I’ve had an HPA V550 for >1yr now, and I absolutely love it. I don’t think it’s the perfect pairing for every headphone and DAC, but for all the headphones and DACs I’ve tried it with there has not been a bad pairing yet.
My sense of it is that it’s a very neutral Amp. The few times I heard a V281 it sounded a little warmer than neutral. The shift towards a more neutral sound could be a positive or negative depending on your preferences.
The neutrality of it does play into DAC choice. I had a dac2541 with it originally. It’s a good pairing, very neutral, clean, resolving. But it was overall smoother than I wanted, so I ended up moving to a Pontus 2 DAC (and now today an Yggy) because I wanted a more fun/punchy/energetic sound.
The DAC character really comes through with this amp. A nice feature is the 3 inputs on the V550. I’ve ended up running two DACs: Yggy and Chord Qutest. Yggy is more fun, Qutest is smoother and more refined. And it’s easy to swap back and forth.
Regarding headphones I currently use it with Utopia OG and DCA Expanse. It’s a solid pairing for both, brings out the character of different headphones.
I personally like a slightly warmer sound, and sometimes headphones on the v550 gets a little more neutral than I like. But with DAC choices and headphone choices I get the sound I want.
I let my clear go (in favor of a Utopia) before I had the v550, so I’ve not directly tried it. But my sense is that the clear would do well with the v550. Maybe someone here has direct experience with this pairing and could comment. In general I’ve had good luck with Focal headphones on the v550. I currently have the utopia and radiance, both good on it.
Yes, but mostly because it doesn’t need a DDC to sound good. The USB input on the Pontus 2 was disappointing, and you pretty much had to get a DDC to go with it. Yggy can benefit from a DDC, but the Unison USB is a solid input and sounds great by itself. Both synergized well with the v550. I would say it’s more about the other features in the DAC that made the choice for me, rather than pairing.
He is the one trading LoL.
Does any of you guys know him?
Willing to do a 2 way loan. If he is someone you guys know. That way we can both try at in our setup
That is a tough one to call as an outsider. There are many times I wish that I still had my Soekris/v281 combo… but this could be down to more nostalgic reasonings.
The v550 is overall IME a technical advance over the v281 and the slightly more neutral lean is something that I wouldn’t be afraid to match with the soekris 2541, I had a 1541 which was I think slightly sharper the the 2541. In any case with the v550 it’s not such a dramatic shift towards neutral that it could not be compensated for by cable tweaks to HP, interconnect, or power cables.
I did not have the HEKse, mine was the HEKv2 and I did really like it off the v550. I have not heard the Utopia, but I did have a Stellia for a period and it sounded good.
The setup I have the v550 in now, it is paired with a Yggy and I really dig the combo a lot. I often consider if I had to have only one setup that I’d keep that combo, but it does come down to what HP.s you want to pair with it, and you would need to listen for yourself to make any final determinations. What I can say with confidence is that the Yggy/v550 make a strong & capable pairing in of themselves.
We agreed to trade my V222 + money for his V550. I was planning to keep only one amp, but we will see!
I tend to like technicalities more than tonality. I liked both v281 and v222. The v222 has a tight forward bass that is addictive compared to the v281. The only reason I decided to keep the v281 is availability LOL. Took me 2 years to get one, not letting it go so easily.
Was expecting to be overwhelmed with treble or resolution and it’s not the case.
The soundstage sounds about the same size as the v281.
Also, I think it was @Delta9K who mentioned that before switching to the v550 he was expecting dryness on the mids. I’m happy to agree that this is not the case. It still sounds full and rich!
So far the V550 is more for me. I’m in a position were two 1200$ amps don’t make sense.
Opportunities keep coming. If i sell one of my amps I could get an utopia 2020.
Out of curiositily, how much is the price market for an used v281 with reed relay and remote no DAC?
Condition is good beside some small details. Need to take picture to show.
. Really nice combination.