HPA V222 HEAD AMP FROM VIOLECTRIC

Able to deal with single-ended and balanced inputs and outputs, Paul Rigby listens in to this compact headphone amplifier

Recently, a German Class A amplifier made a visitor look on this website for the Gjallahorn energy amplifier. Well, we keep that Teutonic vibe with one other German firm. This time Violectric. The very first time I’ve ever grabbed a product from this outfit.

This is a compact balanced head amp with single-ended connections thrown in for good measure. Wrapped in an aluminium chassis, it spans 170 x 65 x 252mm.

HPA V222 HEAD AMP FROM VIOLECTRIC

There’s consideration to element with this one. Pushed alongside through a a toroidal transformer, the unit gives 4 symmetrical amplifier levels on the output stage, two for single-ended mode and 4 for balanced mode. Its energy dealing with implies that it might probably simply address a variety of headphones matching nearly any impedance determine you throw at it.

Looking on the entrance fascia, on the left you’ve got an ALPS RK27 quantity pot, a toggle change for single-ended and balanced modes plus outputs for six.35mm single ended, 4-pin XLR and Pentaconn sockets. The proper hand aspect supplies a push-power button plus indicator mild.

FLIP TO THE REAR

On the rear left is an IEC energy socket, XLR inputs, single-ended inputs and a spread of DIP switches to pick out, as the corporate has it, pre-gain. Which feels like a misnomer to me. Think of the DIP switches as offering both achieve enhance or achieve deficit from a excessive of +18db right down to +12db, +6db, -6db, -12db and -18db. Useful for various headphone or earphone designs.

HPA V222 HEAD AMP FROM VIOLECTRIC

The greatest solution to get this achieve enhance or deficit? Select and pay attention and tweak and pay attention till you discover the setting for you. Use your ears, in different phrases.

I perceive that DIP switches decrease prices however, at this value level, I’d have most popular to have had both a toggle change or switches or a rotary selector knob to do the achieve alterations.

HPA V222 HEAD AMP FROM VIOLECTRIC

I suppose I must be grateful although the these DIP switches weren’t hidden beneath the chassis. Small mercies, eh?

SOUND QUALITY

I started with vinyl and one of many odder records in my assortment, Serge Gainsbourg’s extremely satirical Rock Around the Bunker, which mirrored his time in occupied France as a baby. Released in 1975, this psuedo-lounge, bubble-gum 50s pop outing was – somewhat intriguingly – infused with the cream of UK session males. People like Alan Hawkshaw, Alan Parker and Jim Lawless. Even Clare ‘Pink Floyd’ Torry was concerned.

HPA V222 HEAD AMP FROM VIOLECTRIC

I performed Zig Zag Avec Toi and introduced in my similar-priced Icon Audio HP8 MK.II valve-based head amp as a reference alongside my Sennheiser HD 800 headphones with a 6.3mm single-ended termination and famous how strong state the HPA V222 sounded. There was not one of the tender, open and delicate tones of the Icon Audio valves right here. No shock, positive, however its value stating that truth. The HPA V222 supplied a typically if not precisely balanced output as a result of it leant barely in the direction of a better frequency emphasis.

HPA V222 HEAD AMP FROM VIOLECTRIC

In truth, those that like a extra forceful presentation will love the HPA V222. The HPA V222 supplied a barely a more durable edge on the very limits of the higher midrange and a barely compelled treble response. It gave the sound a barely harder character to the supply alongside a extra impactful bass response.

In brief? The sound was…high quality. Nothing superb however actually satisfactory.

HPA V222 HEAD AMP FROM VIOLECTRIC

I then switched to Pentaconn and the Sennheiser HD 660 S headphones. Via the Pentaconn socket, the sound retained a slight hardness across the higher midrange however, throughout the remainder of the soundstage, the frequencies had been softened, bass was fattened a contact with additional weight whereas treble misplaced somewhat of its readability. Being barely rolled off.

So far then, the sound output from the HPA V222 was not more than passable.

BALANCED IN

I attempted a distinct tack. Unplugging the single-ended cables from the HPA V222 and as a substitute, connecting balanced cables to it and my pre-amp. I then tried my single-ended 800 headphones once more, however this time backed by a balanced sign. Now this was extra prefer it! The soundstage opened up, the noise ground dropped, a brand new degree of readability entered the fray.

Treble supplied extra fragility now, a tambourine may very well be tracked by the ear however there was a slight edge nonetheless to the higher mids. So I went even additional.

HPA V222 HEAD AMP FROM VIOLECTRIC

I felt that outputting a single-ended pair of headphones on the top of a balanced sign was somewhat crippling in sonic phrases so I shifted to the balanced Pentaconn output and the 600 S headphones.

This was the perfect providing of all of the choices so far. The absolutely balanced chain produced a extra even-handed efficiency. The 600 S design added a slight bass emphasis so the bass guitar was fairly forceful and percussion had an efficient influence however there was sufficient element from the higher mids and treble to have interaction a tapping toe or two.

CONCLUSION

Sure, you don’t get the delicacy and fragility of the higher mids that my valve reference supplies however that was to be anticipated, contemplating I used to be listening to an primarily strong state design through Violectric.

I virtually forgot to say a CD take a look at and Pink Floyd’s The Wall which the HPA V222 simply beloved. That is, the HPA V222 lapped up rock authority. It adored mighty drum strikes, positively worshipped energy chords and screaming vocals. It bathed in heavy bass strains. It drank the blood of ripping guitar solos.

And I’ve to say, I ramped up the quantity throughout such moments and air-guitared David Gilmour throughout my listening room.

The HPA V222 was the epitome of epic throughout high-energy rock. If the HPA V222 might have climbed on my shoulders stretched out its arms within the air, peace indicators flying back and forth, it will. Oh it will.

Via dynamic and high-energy music, the HPA V222 gave a higher sense of solidity and energy from the decrease frequencies. Bass was dominant and weighty whereas cymbal faucets reminded you extra that these items had been created from heavy items of metallic. That’s the sound that changed the previous fragility and delicacy from my valve reference.

So what I’m speaking about right here is private selection and musical selection? If you need fragility out of your favorite singer-songwriter, classical scores and jazz quartets. Then look elsewhere. But. But. If you want a way of weight and energy and influence in your music, the HPA V222 offers you that and in spades and the 2 of you’ll stay fortunately ever after.

VIOLECTRIC HPA V222

Price: £1,060

Website: www.electromod.co.uk

GOOD: balanced inputs and output, Pentaconn output, compact design, general balanced sound

BAD: achieve operation, general single-ended sound