Violectric HPA V222 Headphone Amp Review - Lake People Just Knows How To Build Head Amps
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ค. 2024
- The V222 was a loan from a friend of the channel. Thanks!
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My Reviews of Some Mentioned Gear
Lake People G111: • Lake People G111 Headp...
Lake People G111mk2: • Lake People G111mk2 He...
Violectric DHA V226: • Violectric DHA V226 al...
Violectric HPA V281: • What Gear Is My Gear? ...
Violectric HPA V550: • Violectric HPA V550 He...
Berkeley Alpha S2: • What Gear is My Gear? ...
Beyerdynamic DT880: • What Gear is My Gear? ...
Chord Hugo 2: • What Gear is My Gear? ...
Focal Radiance: • What Gear is My Gear? ...
Focal Utopia (OG) (1): • Focal Utopia Headphone...
(2): • What Gear is My Gear? ...
Fostex TH900 w/ Lawton Chambers:
Geshelli Labs J2S: • Geshelli Labs J2S DAC ...
HeadAmp GS-X Mini: • Headamp GS-X Mini Head...
HiFiMan Arya Organic: • HiFiMan Arya Organic H...
HiFiMan HE1000 Stealth: • HiFiMan HE1000v2 Steal...
HiFiMan HE1000se (1): • HiFiMan HE1000se Headp...
(2): • What Gear is My Gear? ...
HiFiMan Susvara (1): • HiFiMan Susvara - Summ...
(2): • What Gear is My Gear? ...
Massdrop + Sennheiser HD6XX: • Singxer SU-6 DDC Revie...
Schiit Bifrost 2/64: • Schiit Bifrost 2/64 DA...
Singxer SU-6: • Singxer SU-6 DDC Revie...
Soekris dac1421: • Soekris dac1421 - A Si...
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My Hearing Quirks: • WaveTheory Reviews Wav...
Timestamps...
00:00 Intro, Pricing, Disclaimers
01:20 Shameless Self Promotion
01:44 Deja Vu?
02:45 Features & Specs
06:45 Sound
08:00 Test Gear
09:15 Back to Sound
10:47 Comparisons
14:54 Final Thoughts
I just bought a V-222, I use an RME ADI-2 DAC with it, the amp is absolutely wonderful paired with Sennheiser HD600 and 800s, it also took my Beyer DT-1770 pro to a whole new level, highly recommended for anyone who likes Solid States but wants a warmer less analytical sound.
can you please give more details, RME ADI-2 DAC without and with V222 ?? Thanks a million, in advance
@@levinste2750 I have a Rme ADI- 2 DAC and I consider the purchase of the violectric V222 soon. Would i hear a real difference in quality ?
Great review and I completely agree with you. I recently upgraded from a Schiit Jot-2 to the V222 ( gear is Bifrost 2/64 DAC directly connected to PC via USB and Audeze LCD-X 2021 - fully balanced throughout) and the improvement in the holography is nothing short of amazing. Its the first time I actually heard the 3-D within the tracks I usually listen to. Highly recommend this amp! Its such a shame there are barely any TH-cam reviews of it other than yours and Z-Reviews
can you elaborate on what you mean when you say you hear 3D in your tracks in the V222 compared to the Schiit Jot 2? i am also very interested in this mythical "holography" and "3-dimensionality" in audio
Great review man! This has popped on my radar a few times, I appreciate your insight
Been looking forward to a review of this review for a while! Hoping to pair this with the Caldera.
Great job Wave. Love your reviews. This is the first time I have seen you praise a piece before you even got halfway through the review. I might pair this amp with my Denafrips Pontus II and Iris DDC . Your doctorate in Engineering comes through in the logic you apply to your approach. And yes I saw how you delineated the "Placebo effect " as a term from our world of medicine. That was brilliant. Bravo.
Great review. I’ve tested my v222 with an older Lampizator big7 and I really liked the sound. It’s not warm or over smooth at all.
Great review as always!!!
Nice one 👍
Thanks also for the heads up on the Schiit 😁 I'll stop asking and wait.
awesome review, as usual, thank you!
I went and listened to the 226 after your review of it. Was great but the DAC let it down a bit. I knew this was coming out so thought I’d wait and pair it with a nice DAC. While I was at the retailer doing a listening demo, the dealer asked me to try out the DHA 380.. all in one which would be much the same price as the 222 plus a decent DAC.. it blew me away. Violectric have perfectly matched the DAC in this to the v200 amp section and it has a bit more power than the 222, without being as pricey as the 550/590. It retains a bit more of the warmth too IMO.
Violectric are great value for $ when you consider the SQ , build and warranty
Great amp i have it good review as always
Man! Your reviews are stunning. Well done. Would you recommend this headphone amp for audio mixing? And what DAC would you recommend? I'm transitioning from near field monitors to exclusively headphones..
This amp works very well, I'm a happy user
Have the V202, the SE only version, and like it a lot- but confess I do not find it a great fit with my ZMFs (Eikon, Atticus and Auteur), which sound a bit too polite and laid back. The Beyerdynamic A20, for example, is a far better synergy to my ears and does something special with the ZMFs.That said, with my LCD-XC sound really good with this, and its quality and build is unquestioned. The multiple gain settings also provide great flexibility for a variety of cans and use cases. Great and informative review as always @wavetheorysound . Thanks!
Excellent review as always ! Can I make a suggestion, can you show and compare size between dacs and amps when reviewing and how they stack on a desk or a table, because people care for looks and matching visually as well, and they can figure out if they have the needed space for a product, thanks
I can try. I don't always have units together.
I use that and Hifiman HE1000 Stealth. Great result
Looking forward to the Schiit review. Wanted to buy the Schiit because of all the positive reviews, but now I think that the 'tube like warmth' might be helpful for my Dan Clarks. Also in Germany, the HPA V222 ist a 1200 EUR, while Schiit Europe sells it at 1470 EUR. That would give me a chance to buy a better DAC.
Great review! One thing that wasn't covered though that many of us want to know is how well this works with the Modhouse Tungstens - a low sensitivity, high impedance, voltage hungry planar. Any chance you'll get one in for review?
Curious if this amp can power the Tungsten’s as well!
Ryan of Modhouse says Vio amps handle the Tungstens well. I haven't heard them yet so I can't meaningfully comment. Ryan is trying to get units to me but supply is tight. It's in the works though.
Pretty great unit for the price
I was contemplating the V222 but went for the Mjolnir 3, also because I already have the V280..Looking forward to your comparison..
I have MJ3 on my table as a loaner, and I own V222. MJ3 is an excellent amp and you cant go wrong with it, good choise.
V222 compared to MJ3: MJ3 is more detailed, better imaging and slightly more treble energy. V222 has bigger soundstage, fuller mids, more bass and romantic sound.
You forgot to hash out probably one of your chief complaints of the V226 that is fixed in this unit. Which is having balanced inputs so it is compatable with a wider range of DAC's and not neutering the performance potential of many a DAC.
Excellent review as always and because of your reviews I think the Violectric is the headphone amp I'm gonna choose for myself.
Be cool if you got your hands on the V340, V380 and V590. Then you will have completely reviewed the Violectric line pretty much
V590 is eactly same as V550 with inbult DAC, he already reviewd it.
@hiraksarma3068 I know that, that's why I purposely left that one out.
Just like how the V222 is very similar to the V226 but not identical. So is the V550 vs the V590.
And the whole point is to listen to the built in DAC and compare it to other options.
The 380 m2 is the sweet spot value for money in my opinion.. heaps of grunt, awesome unbuilt DAC and pre-amp beautifully matched to the v340 amp section. I listened to a lot of combos and all in ones before choosing It as my daily listen. 590 is probably more resolving, but a lot more expensive and seems to lose the warm touch I love from violectric
Hey, are you gonna review the aune s17 pro? Would like to hear your opinion with the DT 880.
Next we need to see a review of the RME ADI-2 DAC FS!
Only really got into headfi recently when I set up a desk listening station. I have used your reviews to pick my first headphone amp, a second hand V280. And its great, so thanks a lot. If the V280 breaks down (I have no idea how old it is!) could I go straight to the V222 do you think.
Thanks for another good review. Yes, they just know how....even the G111...wink wink.
I thought about getting one of the more expensive Violectric and a TOTL dynamic or planar, instead I went into estats. Love my Audeze CRBN
Nice one Wave. Check out the Nitsch Pietus Maximus if you can. Sounds really good with the Geshelli JNOG2 SOCKETED [J2S] DAC
I might be able to fill that Nitsch soon.
@@wavetheorysound 👍
i will buy one for my hifiman arya organic
How would you compare to the Phonitor X/XE? Also, which of the two do you think would go better with the 2021 LCD-X? or maybe it would be better to focus on the V550? I'd like to know what you think
I hope you'll get a review unit for Niimbus US5/4
another vote goes to aune s17 pro review and comparision with this amp :)
Whats a good discrete component dac to pair with the V222 that’s around the same quality or even slightly better? I need usbc in, and outputs for xlr, rca, and hedphone pentaconn 4.4❤ thanks for the review! I think I have settled on this amp for now, but I need a good dac for it, while I save up for a McIntosh mda200..
How would you compare to Ferrum Oor? Build and sound.
Hey Wave, what would you suggest between this amp and the Cayin HA-1A MK2 for high impedance headphones?
I have the Hifiman Organic paired with the G111 MK2 and a Geshelli JNOG2 SOCKETED Dac. I was considering upgrading the G111 mk2 to the V202 or V222. What would be different and do you think it's worth the upgrade?
Thanks for the review WaveTheory! Does V281 and V222 have that black background sonic signature which makes a tiny details to pop just a bit more? I mean: blackness between the instruments, to render notes out of 'nothingness', possibility to follow all individual instruments without harshness on the 'black background', which probably could be translated into great micro dynamics and fast transients, but with polite mid and upper frequencies. If both amps belong to that 'group' of black background amps, then which one between V281 and V222 is better in that respect? Thanks a lot!
I'm curious how you're coming along on your pursuit of a black background. I'm also interested 🙂
When you compare the V222 to MJ3 if it is not too big of a hassle can you change the pre-gain in the Vio amps for the particular headphone, Lake People recommends to adjust the pre gain to the level when the volume dial is at normal listening level at around 12 O'Clock. I had been listening to the HE1000SE with the V550, at the default pre gain (0db, volume dial around 10 O'Clock) it was good, but after I decreased the pre gain to -12 db and the volume is around 12 to 2 O'Clock (depending on the recording) the imaging and dynamics improved quite noticeably to my ears, so bascially 12 to 2 O'clock seems to be the optimal volume levels for Vio amps.
I believe Violectric even states as much somewhere, in their manuals, maybe, even though I hardly ever looked into it but for details concerning the gain switches. ;-)
Nice review. I am fairly new to your channel but I enjoy your content. I am strongly considering grabbing this headphone amp. However, I have a few questions that I am wondering if you can help answer. I am in the process of securing the mod house tungstens. Would this amp be a good pairing for those headphones? You mentioned that you don't like the Susvara as much on this amp. Being that the tungstens are likewise difficult to drive, would this amp suffice? Also, would this pair well with a Ferrum DAC like the Wandla?
Yes, the V222 is one of my recommended amps for the Tungstens. The pairing with the Ferrum WANDLA should also be quite good.
Thank you so very much for your prompt reply. Keep up the great work! I will be on the lookout for more of your videos.
nice review, as always. I use the v222 with the EF400 as Dac. I think the combination sounds very good with the HE1000se, but I'm wondering if it's worth upgrading to the Bifrost 2/24 or if the He1000se will gain detail but lose too much bass and punch. maybe someone has an opinion for me.
I think the BF2 is a significant upgrade from EF400 dac. The OG BF2, if you can find a used one, will give you more resolution and holography while maintaining a similar sound to EF400. The new 2/64 version will be even more resolving and holographic but be more neutral in signature.
The Amp looks really well made. Being balanced in and out is in my wheelhouse since I love my Peachtree Audio Pecan Pi balanced out. However, I don't know about the value when compared to, say, a Schitt Audio Jotenheim 2 with balanced in/out for $400. The Lake People products look great, but are they sonically worth 3x the price of the Schitt Audio products? I'm not a Schitt shill but they seem to have the market cornered on value at this price range.
dont own and havent tried either, but based on my review-watching rabbithole, and reading forums, both companies seem comparable in build and design. And really you are only paying more for a German-made (or other foreign made) product, for the appeal of it being exotically european. Nations know others will pay a premium for something simply because it is made elsewhere -and to be fair, there is an added cost to any import goods. The same is true of european cars, italian handbags, swiss wristwatches, japanese tech, french shoes and jewelry, etc.
From a features and connectivity standpoint though, you will get more value from US made brands and high end asian brands, because they have more access to technology and electronic components, and being some of the wealthiest nations, also have the largest audio communities. In fact, since the electronics industry moved out of Silicone Valley in California, and began chip manufacturing plants in Texas, it has made prices comparable (and even higher quality) than some companies in Asia -which is how US made audio is so much more affordable now than it was just a few decades ago. I mean, something like the JDS Labs Atom 2 stack blows my mind for the power it puts out and high quality components and build, at just under $300, made in Illinois, one of the top locations for technology in the US (where -fun fact- the first cellphone, wireless remote, and web browser was made).
Whereas Vioelectric as a more niche brand, have less access to electronics, and less of a demand and market for HiFi than in asia or western countries, so when they do go all out on features, it’s much more expensive than similar offerings from other countries. For instance, the US alone has 5.5 times more tech companies to 1 compared to Germany as of a 2023 census. As a result, you just get less value from them in general, than something from US or Asia.
Sonically, what I have heard from others is also that Lake People/Vioelectrics have their own warm/neutral house sound, while Schiit is full and clean, comparatively. I know that each component has its own character, but I’d say thats a fair generalization. So, while Vioelectrics may not have the latest tech or connectivity for the same value, it’s still worth it for a lot of people who are wanting something different, that you cant get elsewhere -sonically and practically. On the other hand, I hear from many people that a lot of the Schiit gear just ends up sounding the same.
One caveat though is since the Vioelectrics “reissue” or their current line, they seem to be moving more into a more clean sound as well compared to their discontinued lines. Still not as clean as Schiit’s current lineup, but somewhere in between their warm older models and the modern “clean” sound of today. Of course, every amp and component is different but subjectively, I would say if you didnt want something truly colored or warm, but not clean or analytical -the current Vioelectrics is a good place to start. For warmth and analog sound, you may want an older Vioelectric model, and if you are looking for something distinctly clean, detailed, and flat you may get more value and connectivity from choosing a good US brand like Schiit, PS Audio, JDS Labs, or McIntosh.
Would you recommend this amp for using sensitive IEM’s (such as Campfire Audio Andromeda: OG version)?
Would my Pontus II with 12th anniversary software be a good match for the 222?
anyone knows any amps in that price range that can power the susvara/modhouse tungsten fully?
Hi! how does the HE6SE V2 sound on this one? I have the Fiio K7, the headphones are not arrived yet
I owned a V222 briefly but decided to sell it due to a lack of air at the top compared to my RNHP. I moved up to the Violectric V550 and have been happy ever since. Even with the excellence of the V550 though, I could just never sell my RNHP even though the V550 was meant to be a "one stone two birds" amp. There's just something special about the RNHP amp and I still love it.
Are you using the RNHP with its stock PSU or have you upgraded it? I use mine with a Meanwell.
I use an IFI iPower elite but I have to say that I had some great experiences just using the stock supply. @@AQUPAS
I am looking for a dac to pair with my lake people g111, hopefully there is a gear synergy series for that later
I haven't heard a bad match to it in the price range, tbh. I'd say look for a dac with the sig you like and you'll be good to go.
@@wavetheorysound very cool, thanks brian!
Have you looked at the Aune S17. Chinese but being compared to Violectric for musicality. Also V202 is cheaper if you dont need a balanced output
Have u try it with hi end iem??... Pls then tell me.. Peace!
@wavetheorysound Can this thing move the new Modhouse Tungstens SS? Looks fairly powerful
It Runs the Tungstens PERECTLY I own a double sided set... Ryan over at Modhouse thinks it's about the best under $1K on sale...
How do I send my tip to the human companion?
How would you compare it to the Lake People G111? I know they're punching in a different category, but I'm wondering more in terms of value for money and whether it's warranted to spend the extra money to get a V202/V222?
I don’t think it’s a worthwhile jump. Something with enough headroom for the susvara would be a more worthwhile upgrade
The 222 has a bigger stage and more overall refinement with more holography. It's a different sound. The 111 is closer to true neutral and not quite as thick. Worth it depends on what headphones you want to use. While 222 doesn't quite cut it for Susvara it scales up in quality higher than the 111 with other hi end cans.
Hi WaveTheory, how would you compare this V222 to the V550 you've already reviewed? :-)
222 is warmer and more impactful. 550 is cleaner, more refined, more holographic, and more neutral. The 550 comfortably outresolves the 222, as it should for its price.
@@wavetheorysound , wow, that was quick - thanks for the concise and very relevant answer! 😀
And thanks for confirming I made the right choice (though my wallet still whimpers quietly when I only so much as look at it ^^).
Would love to know how it compares to the Burson 3XP in your opinion?
I was going to ask the same question, so if anyone had a chance to compare both units, I'd love to hear your opinion.
is it correct that this is class A as stated early on in the review? ithought these were AB
hi WaveTheory you think its the best amp at this price range for he1000se?
It's hard to say. Mjolnir 3 is hanging out there that I haven't heard yet. But the 222 is excellent for sure.
"Not a ridiculous amount of output power" I find this statement a little confusing, these amps as you know are really geared for higher ohm rated headphones, @ 300 ohms this amp is rated @ 1.8w, please tell me how many amps out there are rated this high output @ 300 ohms because I'm struggling to find any, even the Topping a70 pro which is a 17w amp, one of the most powerful amps on the market @ 300 ohms is rated @ 1.37w, these amps compared to a lot of other amps kick out a lot more power at higher ohms.
100% correct. He kinda covers it but not really
Warm, tube-like sound here, neutral elsewhere, high cold sounding on another place, ridiculous what people hear in those objects. LOL!
Well, I think that Aune S17 Pro can beat this unit, and still it's almost a half cheapier)) But it's really HOT and has some volume control issues.
Have you listened to both? The Aune is actually warmer sounding than this which may surprise some people.
@@lowrider007007 I've only heard the S17 (which I own and it sounds wonderful), but Ichos reviewed both very positively and also found the S17 to be warmer and more "tubey." The V222 remains his favorite SS amp, but he thought the S17 was awful close (for almost half the price in the US). BTW, the volume control issue has been largely resolved, though the heat issue rages on (there appears to be considerable unit variance; mine is fine, but I'm apprehensive about how it will fare in the summer). I'm still hoping to get a New Wave review of this amp.
This or Chord Anni?
Don't fix what isn't broken.
I know it's supposed to sound good rather than looking good, but if I were to spend such amount on an amp I'm going to choose one that is perfect in every way, including looks. This one is plain ugly.
Go get some cheap chifi screen garbage. This thing is gorgeous
@@c34webb The gs-x mini is an amp that has both the quality and the looks imo, but it's too expensive so I'm considering the v550 that looks almost exactly like this one but it annoys me we quite a bit that I have to sacrifice the aesthetic aspect. Yes, I do care about it.
@@UntakenNick the gs-x mini costs way less than the 550 so not sure what you’re talking about.
@@c34webb I'm just giving an example of how and amp can be good *and* look good. The price isn't that different, the gs-x mini is made in USA so in Europe it costs almost 50% more due to import fees, while the v550 is made in Europe. Between two amp that cost almost the same and one is significantly cheaper than what I'd be paying it and the other one is actually worth the price, I'll obviously choose the latter.
@@UntakenNick eye of the beholder my friend.
Please review Gustard A26, and aune S17 pro combo for hifiman 1000se. I like your well articulated reviews. Thanks in advance