I guess it’s fun to do lol
There’s probably also utility in answering the question “What did my extra $1800 buy me?”
I will try it again tomorrow as I do a comparo with the Fostex TH-610’s. They are at their best with SP200, single ended. I do have a balanced cable on the way, but tomorrow I will compare the two amps via my SE cable. Might be interesting as this was the only HP that brought out the SMSL unit anymore.
The test that I am MOST interested in is the Elex/Sundara test. Balanced out from the LP vs SE out from the V220. Volume matched with my little deibel meter.
To me that will be the test.
To be clear I didn’t pay the $2,200.00+ price. I bought it used.
It’s just really hard once you go higher to put into words the differences lol, as it’s substantial improvements but also moreso on the intangible side so it’s really hard to describe to other people lol
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Last observation of the day: The amp has been on for almost 8hrs and is not even room temperature. I don’t think I have ever had an amp run this cool.
I think that’s a really hard question to answer between “tiers” of amps or DAC’s for that matter.
There is a point of it sounds better that is hard to qualify to specifics.
I’m talking generally here, rather about the V220 specifically.
My experience with higher tier gear is that the differences tend to be in way they create space, the timbre across the spectrum, their ability to control the driver and the general lack of brittleness or fatigue from the treble. With varying amounts of each depending on the gear
I was discussing this with M0N at one point, it’s just hard to explain it to someone who hasn’t heard it. It’s easy for example to convey a soundstage is taller or wider, but it’s not really the difference, the best I can put the differences is you hear the space around the instruments. For single room recordings, you can hear the space it was recorded in, for stuff that’s mixed down the individual tracks separate better.
My current “theory” is I think it comes down to the ability to resolve and present very small signals in the presence of the larger primary “music” signal.
But it’s also about balance the you’ll only get so much out of an amp and DAC if your headphones can’t resolve what your listening to.
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I’m sure what you and @M0N say about describing the differences is indeed a challenge. I don’t have the experience with really high end gear to say. My comment was in response to @ShaneD’s comment about comparing this amp to a THX amp being pointless. I agree they’re not in the same class but I wouldn’t characterize the comparison as pointless. Even if it’s just for the individual end user, I’m sure there is something to be learned.
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Makes sense, I wouldn’t say it’s pointless either, my comment was a bit off topic looking at it again lol
Pointless may be the wrong word, perhaps fruitless would be better. After going through several amps in the last several months I am getting a feel for what each one does best.
First off, regarding the SP200, I knew going in I would not be a huge fan of the THX amps, but I wanted to “complete” my collection (Same with tube amps).
I thought the THX amps would be a wire with gain. Flat, neutral and transparent. That has NOT been my experience at all. My SP200 does NOT play well with bright/brightish headphones, IME. However, it did clean up a messy pair of Fostex’s for me.
I see no use in comparing the Grado’s, Sundara’s (again) or even the Elex’s going forward as I will not be pleased with the sound.
The Fostex’s should be a very interesting comparison between the two.
I am also very curious about the tube amp vs the V220 regarding the Grado’s and Meze’s.
And then a “championship” round between the V220 and the LP. 
Am I ruling the SP200 out? Yes I am. The LP, in my opinion, destroys it with balanced out. I suspect that the V220 will do the same with SE out.
Keep in mind that these are just my opinions, not FACTS. I am sure there are many audiophiles/golden earred individuals who will disagree with me.
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Last, last observation. 
Put the pre-gain on -12 and you could take the Sundara’s to full volume but it didn’t sound great. I then grabbed my Grado’s. At 9:30 on the dial they sound amazing! Just playing a new album I just bought, BBNG2 in ALAC. Pretty special.
Wife wants me to watch TV with her, so…
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Did some A-B’ing today, using my Fostex TH-610’s, which have a Lawton Driver update. Stock 1/4" cable was used.
I was rotating between the SMSL SP200 and the Violectric V220.
This was, to me, surprisingly close. The pre-gain was set to -6 on the V220. I compared dozens of songs that I know pretty well. In the majority of cases it was really hard to tell a difference. The TH-610’s are not what I would call precise, but do have good bass.
With some songs, the bass on the SP200 seemed to hit harder and sounded sharper. On the other hand, the V220 sounded clearer and the music had more detail. I could hear sounds/sound effects in the music I just didn’t hear from the SP200.
I think that for bassy 'phones, the SP200 is a good amp. But not for bright/brighter headphones or very precise headphones.
If I only had these headphones, I would be disappointed in the quality upgrades from amp to amp. If I listened hard and critically, the V220 sounded better. But it was not the Huge difference that the Sundara’s offered.
The SMSL SP200 will be seeking a new home in the near future.
Tomorrow and into the weekend I will be trying the Grado GH2’s and Meze 99 Classic’s on the two amps. First run will not include the Loki and I will be playing with the pre-gain, so it will take three or 4 days to complete.
I should note that both are SE amps.
PS: The balanced cable for the TH-610’s has entered Canada and will be here soon.
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Well this was new…
Sitting and listening to my music and it goes quiet. This has happened before and I have to push the XLR input button in as it has changed to RCA input.
This happened like 4 times today and the volume has been going up randomly.
Anybody have any ideas…? (See answer below.)
I emailed the guy I bought it from and a guy named Arthur at Power Holdings Inc.
Arthur has no idea but says he will get back to me in a couple of days.
My seller gets back to me and says that yes that happened to him once.
( I should jump in here and mention that Violectric amps come with a remote).
The previous owner found that his Samsung remote was also talking to his amp! I thanked him and asked my wife, who was on the couch watching TV, to start flicking buttons.
In 60 to 90 seconds my input had changed and the volume had gone up. However, she had not touched the input or volume buttons on the remote (cable company remote). Just a weird sharing of frequencies.
I have Bell coming by Wednesday to install a new system and I can’t wait to get back to Fibreop. However now I am wondering if their remote will do the same tricks.
Just my oddball tale for the day.
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Another point of trivia for current and future Violectric amp owners. The warranty is 5 years and it is transferable, at least in North America. Not sure if that includes Drop purchases, but I would think so.
So, I have three and a half years of factory warranty remaining. 
I was given this info from Arthur at Violectric America, who are the North American distributors of Violectric.
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Arthur actually owns Power Holdings inc. He is extremely kind and answers emails pretty quickly. Top notch customer service, imo.
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I learn stuff every day here!
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Yup, Arthur is great.
I had a question with my amp, and he answered it fairly late in the evening. I was actually surprised to get a response and on the same day.
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He is great to deal with. He promptly answered my questions even after I told him i was looking at buying used.
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A couple of more updates.
First off, we got our new cable provider yesterday. Man, I Missed Fibreop! As soon as things were up and running, my wife starting flicking that remote and it had NO effect on the V220. Problem solved.
Today is my big test. It has only been about two hours in, but is very close. I have been using Elex’s with the LP (balanced) and the V220 (SE). I have volume matched to .3 Db’s. I haven’t tried a ton of music or different genres, but they both sound great. I will do this back and forth for a few days, but it looks like they will be a VERY complimentary duo.
Going by all known knowledge, the Bifrost 2 is a much better DAC than the SMSL S-8, but I don’t know if I could live with no volume control on a DAC. The LP especially, has pretty high gain. Speaking of gain, I did some A-B testing on the V220 inputs. There is a very noticeable difference in volume SE vs Balanced, because of the input voltages. If you have something really sensitive and the pre-gain settings aren’t doing it for you, you can change to SE input. I might try this with the LP, just for giggles.
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