Any updates with the Diana and comparisons?
Iām holding off until the DMS pads get here tomorrow to make a judgement. Theyāre quite temperamental about their position and Iām hoping to get more consistent performance with those pads.
I can say that my initial impression stands true to what Iāve continued to experience. The mini is cleaner and more precise, while the v280 seems to be a touch warmer into the mid bass and not quite as detailed but in a pleasant way.
I donāt know if itās the added warmth from the v280 but itās just not a great match for the Diana. Something about it sounds almost dirty.
Iāve been on the v280 and Diana almost exclusively for the last day or two and now that Iām switching to the mini Iām wondering why I did that to myself. That amp just isnāt right with the Diana v2. The tone is somewhat dull and lacks something thatās hard to describe. It sounds (and this is slight, but enough to notice) muddy/veiled.
Itās odd because I donāt get that effect with any other headphones. At least not in as noticeable a way. Maybe itās just a mismatch for my taste or power demands (thatās unlikely as the v280 is a beast).
Again I plan to give some more listening time but these are my thoughts
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what dac are you using for this test?
Bifrost 2. Sometimes Modius but thatās currently serving TV duty in the bedroom
The DMS pads have arrived. They immediately feel more like headphones rather than a thing I have sat atop my head. Much more consistent sounding or easier to get into the right position. Should be able to get impressions with these now
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Can you put the DMS pads on both of the smaller abyssās
also how do you buy them cause I cant see them on Abyssā site?
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Yes
Pretty sure you just have to mention them in the order when you order diana pads
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Yes, I ordered regular pads and followed up with an email asking to get the DMS modded pads. Took an extra day, excellent turnaround imo
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As for the amps, the comparison this thread is meant to cover and has now been distracted by Diana. I can say with a bit more confidence what the differences and similarities are here.
The V280 has more granular power output control via the dipswitches on the back. These are less useful than a single gain switch on the front and will be staying in the stock position for me. The sound this produces is warm, Warmer further into the mids than the mini. It also is resolving. It renders detail in a bit more passive way than the mini. Iāve mentioned the less clean nature of this amp in previous posts. Iām not sure thatās a fair way to describe it because it isnāt ānoisyā or anything. Maybe this is wet? Maybe it has to do with decay and I donāt have the ears to hear or words to articulate it. I find that I listen on the v280 most of the time. Because itās less technical and I just donāt need detail and an absolute black background for zoom meetings and background music while Iām debugging code.
The mini feels like a better amp to me in terms of technical ability. I hear more resolution from it and itās resolution that is pleasing and almost never harsh. It synergizes with all of my headphones. Whereas the v280 doesnāt seem to like my clears so much. Maybe I like this amp more because I like switches? I do enjoy the tactility. Maybe with the DACT pot this amp would be perfect, but Iām not willing to let it go just for that.
Iām getting ready to move and will likely be packing these up in the coming weeks. My most likely desk setup at the next place includes both.
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From what Iāve seen, it seems most people consider the GS-X mini to be an overall better amp. Has anyone else owned both? Iām leaning towards the GS-X mini as my next major amp upgrade. But I occasionally see pretty good deals on the V280.
So I think it really comes down to preference here, and also what other equipment you own imo. Generally I would say the mini is cleaner, more technical, a bit brighter, pretty high preforming. The v280 is more spacious and more smooth, generally more impactful and a bit more speaker like performance, but just as high preforming as the mini in some ways. Dac wise, the mini is more forgiving, and I generally like it with more smooth dacs like the bifrost or a holo spring/cyan. The v280 is more dac picky I feel, generally I prefer more analytical dacs, itās just excellent with a soekris or berkeley dac. So for me itās easily justifiable to own both and they pretty easily trade blows, but generally it would come down to your headphones, your dac, and your headphones, but I really think you wouldnāt be disappointed with either
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If you loved the Asgard or RNHP previously, and like something kinda like how those amps sound with a ton of power + balanced outputā¦ GS X mini is an easy recommend. I youāre a big fan of the Schiit Heresy/ Atom / El Amp sound then Iād think youāre going to enjoy the violectric.
I view the Violectric v280 as the THX amp you asked for initially and finally got the amp you were looking for.
I am biased towards the mini since it just works for me. Bifrost 2 + GS X Mini + with LCD X/ Eikon / Diana Phi is pretty awesome overall.
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Thatās interesting. It sounded like @Grant may have thought the opposite. Lol that makes things easier.
If had I to pick one, I think Iād go with the GS-X mini. It sounds like it may pair nicely with a larger variety of DACs and headphones?
Personally I would disagree, that would be more the gsx mini imo, the v280 is a different type of sound, the gsx mini is more brighter clean analytical leaning than the v280 is, the v280 is like a smoother slightly warmer neutral. The gsx is more forward in that regard and reminds me more of stuff like the atom and heresy (although clearly on a different level). To be honest neither remind me of thx in any way though
Idk, what headphones are you going to prioritize? I think the mini is generally easier to pair dac wise, but there are some headphones I donāt like on the mini like most hifiman imo, also I kinda donāt like the senns on the mini as much either, but I do like the dianas and audeze on the mini although it depends on your sonic goals once again since there are some times I might prefer those headphones on a v280. The clear is also something that I tend to prefer on the v280 but at the same time that can be good on the mini as well. Beyers also tend to go better on the violectric stuff as well imo. Zmf itās a toss up based on preference imo as they sound good on both
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I can say some of the details on the Elegia I have on the mini are just a bit too forward and in your face with the mini. I donāt know if that is a reason why the clears didnāt enjoy the mini as much but thatās something I tried just a few moments ago when A/Bing with the Eikons.
Based on what I currently own, the V280 may be the better option then. Howās the Ares II on the V280? Thereās a V280 listing for $800 right now. Iām probably too late, but I might get lucky. The lowest Iāve seen a GS-X go for is about $1300.
I think itās pretty nice, on the v280 I prefer it to the bifrost 2, but not as much as like a soekris, adds good impact and gives it nice depth, but takes away a tad of stage. Generally a good pairing if you donāt mind something warmer. Also more flexible as if you want a cleaner sound you can use oversampling mode or instead switch to nos mode
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Iād take the GS-X at $1300 all day at that price.
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I would say my experience lines up quite well with @M0Nās impressions.
I am only running my comparisons with a bifrost2, but there is a distinct difference imo. My more analytical headphones (Clear, Dianav2) are great on the v280, while the aeon2 closed seems less engaging. Thats not to say I dont like the analytical headphones on the mini, I do, Im just stating that the v280 can maybe sound muddy on headphones that arent naturally detailed.
If youre going to have just one (im considering going that route) I would lean towards the mini for its versatility. I got lucky and got the drop v280 for what is probably a fair price for it. In all honesty I dont think it has the same $1700 value that the mini does, even though thats it normal selling price when new. There are folks selling their minis from time to time and it feels like an amp that will last a lifetime (both do in fact).
I might recommend the DACT knob. I dont have it, and I think I would like it a lot.
unrelated: Sound is a weird thing. I spent today listening to the v280, got a bit nostalgic and listened to a lot of Radiohead. Honestly, it was emotional. Im not certain I would have had the exact same reaction with the mini.
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