[rids57]

So you mean that Thomann charged you for the UK taxes and then paid UK customs on your behalf?

Yes, I paid in GB pounds, VAT included - nothing else to pay and it's sat on the desk beside me so no chance of customs holding it hostage

 

[IXOYE]

Yes, I paid in GB pounds, VAT included - nothing else to pay and it's sat on the desk beside me so no chance of customs holding it hostage

Fantastic, there are not many companies that have that support, Thomann are great, I bought my V222 from them as well, and the fact that they have a 30 day open purchase is a big plus, I have used it several times and it has never been any problem

 

[awesomenatorrad]

The violectric V222 just came in and its such an awesome sounding amp in a tiny package, my first violectric and dedicated amp. Looking to hear more with my D8k and atrium.

 

[giuseppe75]

Advice on pairing with hd 660s2? Thanks

 

[Audiofilobrpt]

Before purchasing the V222 and even after receiving it.
I've been reading a lot about the midrange situation on the V222.
There has been a lot of talk about midrange forwards and others say they are just right.
I had the Lyr+ when I bought the V222 and since then I've been struggling with whether or not to keep both amps.

I have the Lyr+ for sale as I don't want to keep both on my desk. But, I have a specific situation that makes me reluctant to sell the Lyr+ or not. And this situation is precisely in the presentation of the midrange and the perception of the sound stage.
Specifically with the HD800s and in live or acoustic performances.

On the album “Alison Kraus + Union Station Live” for example, when listening to it with the HD800s on the V222, it sounds really good.
I could definitely end the game right here. But, the question arises and will I listen to the same album and same configuration (Qutest and HD800s) on Lyr+.
Definitely, to my ears, the sound opens up... the voices are a little more recessed, giving space to all the other instruments in the band. Which gives me a bit of a feeling of a larger soundstage.

I do not intend to sell the V222.
For my ears and my headphones, I don't need to go any higher in the Amplifier area.

The V222+Qutest is already my end game and I'm happy with it. But, when I make this comparison with the Lyr+ using the same streamer (Volumio RIVO) + DAC (Qutest) + HD800s, unfortunately I can say that the V222 has a slightly smaller stage. A slightly more intimate presentation and slightly mids forward.
But for me everything is fine.
But, I just wanted to leave this impression here and perhaps @Ichos can help us more, improving my report, as he reviewed both amplifiers and will certainly be able to describe them much better than I can.
I take this opportunity to congratulate him on the great reviews he makes... he helps me a lot when purchasing products.

That's it! I finish by saying that the V222 is wonderful!! I don't get tired of listening to it and I don't want to buy another amplifier!! Let's enjoy the music and everything this amplifier can provide us.

PS: In everything else. Everything really. The V222 easily beats the Lyr+. At least to my ears.

 

[Ichos]

@Audiofilobrpt
First of all, thank you for your kind words.

It's been a while since I used both amps so I can't really say much about their mid-range. Don't recall something bothering me in the V222. I remember it linear without any frequency deviations.

Regarding the soundstage, I guess that you have compared with the Lyr+ in tube mode. And I can spot a high quality tube. Psvane?

So, yes, while the V222 from the balanced output has great soundstage, the Lyr+ with a tube (especially a good one) outperforms it. Not necessarily in horizontal extension or imaging but definitely in holography and how immersive it can sound. This is a benefit of the tube hybrid. Tube magic!

 

[Audiofilobrpt]

@Audiofilobrpt
First of all, thank you for your kind words.

It's been a while since I used both amps so I can't really say much about their mid-range. Don't recall something bothering me in the V222. I remember it linear without any frequency deviations.

Regarding the soundstage, I guess that you have compared with the Lyr+ in tube mode. And I can spot a high quality tube. Psvane?

So, yes, while the V222 from the balanced output has great soundstage, the Lyr+ with a tube (especially a good one) outperforms it. Not necessarily in horizontal extension or imaging but definitely in holography and how immersive it can sound. This is a benefit of the tube hybrid. Tube magic!

Exactly!!
It's a PSvane CV181-II. This is exactly what the tube can bring...especially in live performances. That's what might make me stop selling the Lyr+.
I'll probably keep both amps. The Lyr+ for live and acoustic performances. The V222 for everything else.
I think headphone amp sales pages won’t see my IP for a long time. Lol

Thanks, Ichos!!

 

[LongSong]

I'll probably keep both amps

If you are going to have two amps I really recommend you try an OTL tube amp with any high impedance dynamic driver headphones (which your HD800s are), it will give you more of what you are liking about the Lyr+. I really like my V222 but rarely use it with my high impedance DD's as I have a good tube amp and it's just better with them in every way to my ears.

 

[Audiofilobrpt]

If you are going to have two amps I really recommend you try an OTL tube amp with any high impedance dynamic driver headphones (which your HD800s are), it will give you more of what you are liking about the Lyr+. I really like my V222 but rarely use it with my high impedance DD's as I have a good tube amp and it's just better with them in every way to my ears.

Thanks for the tip!! Do you have any recommendations for a good OTL under €1000?

 

[oqvist]

Before purchasing the V222 and even after receiving it.
I've been reading a lot about the midrange situation on the V222.
There has been a lot of talk about midrange forwards and others say they are just right.
I had the Lyr+ when I bought the V222 and since then I've been struggling with whether or not to keep both amps.

I have the Lyr+ for sale as I don't want to keep both on my desk. But, I have a specific situation that makes me reluctant to sell the Lyr+ or not. And this situation is precisely in the presentation of the midrange and the perception of the sound stage.
Specifically with the HD800s and in live or acoustic performances.

On the album “Alison Kraus + Union Station Live” for example, when listening to it with the HD800s on the V222, it sounds really good.
I could definitely end the game right here. But, the question arises and will I listen to the same album and same configuration (Qutest and HD800s) on Lyr+.
Definitely, to my ears, the sound opens up... the voices are a little more recessed, giving space to all the other instruments in the band. Which gives me a bit of a feeling of a larger soundstage.

I do not intend to sell the V222.
For my ears and my headphones, I don't need to go any higher in the Amplifier area.

The V222+Qutest is already my end game and I'm happy with it. But, when I make this comparison with the Lyr+ using the same streamer (Volumio RIVO) + DAC (Qutest) + HD800s, unfortunately I can say that the V222 has a slightly smaller stage. A slightly more intimate presentation and slightly mids forward.
But for me everything is fine.
But, I just wanted to leave this impression here and perhaps @Ichos can help us more, improving my report, as he reviewed both amplifiers and will certainly be able to describe them much better than I can.
I take this opportunity to congratulate him on the great reviews he makes... he helps me a lot when purchasing products.

That's it! I finish by saying that the V222 is wonderful!! I don't get tired of listening to it and I don't want to buy another amplifier!! Let's enjoy the music and everything this amplifier can provide us.

PS: In everything else. Everything really. The V222 easily beats the Lyr+. At least to my ears

Yes the soundstaging of the v222 is quite condense. Make it a bit more physical but since I mostly use the ether c Flow and other closed headphones it is often nice with a wider soundstage particularly for gaming. The physical bit can be nice for music sometimes always two sides.

If not for tube amps I find audio gd C2 and master19 really good at this. Master19 is a new kid on the block. The sub bass it gives me is something I never experienced of my Ether c Flow though it certainly feels more neutral then the v222 overall it just has more authority from the depth of hell and more open.

It really impressed me overall and so far no grounding issues.
The V222 is now in the living room feeding my kennerton magni I certainly enjoy it still.
Just for curiosity found a cheap beyerdynamic T1 t5
balanced cable for it. Its very efficient I doubt it will make a difference.

 

[LongSong]

Thanks for the tip!! Do you have any recommendations for a good OTL under €1000?

Great starting place for an OTL is a Bottlehead Crack. If you can DIY, then buy the kit and make it, otherwise second hand market. If you want something in Europe then there's a guy that makes same as bottlehead crack but his own brand Eufonika, you can find him on Etsy and ask which of his models would best suit you or which is the same as bottlehead crack, I think his name is Wieslaw (or something like that). Another European option is Feliks Audio, I'm told the Echo 2 is quite good but not heard it myself. Or go up to Elise or Euforia second hand. I have Euforia and it's outstanding with my dynamic driver HP's. Second hand Woo Audio WA2 is also a great choice. There's also a bunch of Chineese OTL amps if you want to go cheaper, Darkvoice is quite popular.

 

[Audiofilobrpt]

Great starting place for an OTL is a Bottlehead Crack. If you can DIY, then buy the kit and make it, otherwise second hand market. If you want something in Europe then there's a guy that makes same as bottlehead crack but his own brand Eufonika, you can find him on Etsy and ask which of his models would best suit you or which is the same as bottlehead crack, I think his name is Wieslaw (or something like that). Another European option is Feliks Audio, I'm told the Echo 2 is quite good but not heard it myself. Or go up to Elise or Euforia second hand. I have Euforia and it's outstanding with my dynamic driver HP's. Second hand Woo Audio WA2 is also a great choice. There's also a bunch of Chineese OTL amps if you want to go cheaper, Darkvoice is quite popular.

Excellent!!
Thank you for the valuable recommendations!!!
In fact, I haven't heard it in an OTL yet.
All my experiences with tubes were with hybrid amplifiers. I really have to buy a quality OTL to listen to on the HD800s and your options will be analyzed.
I always read about the magic of the HD800s in an OTL.
If I want to start slowly so I can get a feel for the OTL character and then decide to invest in something bigger, would the new Xduoo TA-66 that was recently released and has been rated by some reviewers be a good start or would it be too big a downgrade for the HD800s?

 

[Audiofilobrpt]

Yes the soundstaging of the v222 is quite condense. Make it a bit more physical but since I mostly use the ether c Flow and other closed headphones it is often nice with a wider soundstage particularly for gaming. The physical bit can be nice for music sometimes always two sides.

If not for tube amps I find audio gd C2 and master19 really good at this. Master19 is a new kid on the block. The sub bass it gives me is something I never experienced of my Ether c Flow though it certainly feels more neutral then the v222 overall it just has more authority from the depth of hell and more open.

It really impressed me overall and so far no grounding issues.
The V222 is now in the living room feeding my kennerton magni I certainly enjoy it still.
Just for curiosity found a cheap beyerdynamic T1 t5
balanced cable for it. Its very efficient I doubt it will make a difference.

Thank you for sharing your experience!! I think now I stop looking for SS amp. I have an RNHP that I used specifically with my Focal Clear OG and it provides wonderful synergy. But, with the arrival of the V222, I decided to keep the RNHP, as I liked the Clear OG in the V222 too. The RNHP will now be a backup if you need it one day. But for my HE1000 stealth, the V222 was great! Golden synergy!!

 

[LongSong]

or would it be too big a downgrade for the HD800s

Sorry, I don't have any experience with the Chinese tube amps. Suggest you look for a HD800s thread or a Xduoo thread for answers.

 

[Pharmaboy]

Exactly!!
It's a PSvane CV181-II. This is exactly what the tube can bring...especially in live performances. That's what might make me stop selling the Lyr+.
I'll probably keep both amps. The Lyr+ for live and acoustic performances. The V222 for everything else.
I think headphone amp sales pages won’t see my IP for a long time. Lol

Thanks, Ichos!!

The comments by @Ichos about tubes bringing holographic imaging to the midrange are dead-on true. Tubes anywhere in the chain always maximize the reproduction of space around notes/between intstruments and voices. Everything gets more 3D.

So if the choice comes down to an amp with a tube in it vs a SS amp, there is a certain sacrifice that comes with selling either. I have amps of both types and (luckily/happily for me) don't have to sell.

However, I also have a "secret weapon" in my main system, a non-amp factor that injects some of that tube goodness into all signals: the buffer tube in my MHDT Labs Orchid. A buffer tube's job is to subtly color the sound coming out of the DAC. Thus the DAC becomes part of this "holographic sound" equation. It's not the same as an tube HP amp; but it does shape the overall system sound in good ways.