violectric

Amplifiers need not be expensive for the basics of good, linear design to be standard. Vioelectric's HPA V222 channels the essence of the brand's best technology. The Germans give you a discrete, highly linear open-loop design capable of pushing 7 watts. With a huge op-amp-killing operating voltage and 16 output transistors capable of handling current and producing bandwidth monolithic IC designs wouldn't, V222 bears the hallmarks of the Niimbus series and other Vioelectric flagships. Massive bandwidth and effortless sound – no doubt helped by its low open-loop gain without massive amounts of negative feedback to close it down – allows V222 to show its class and achieve 131dB of claimed dynamic range. Its suitability as a steed for the likes of Focal's Utopia cannot be understated, achieving close to its maximum power output into this French flagship. V222's adequacy as a voltage source with high damping factor and low output impedance combines with its silent background to yield all the resolution your Utopia can deliver. [See Product Desc. For More] No matter where your volume control or pre-gain settings are, a huge operating voltage always ensures you have more than sufficient headroom to drive headphones many times the cost of V222. 16 output transistors certainly enjoy being run in the most linear regions of their transfer curve, already achieving low noise and distortion in the open-loop before the application of negative feedback. The direct-coupled V222 promises frequency extension that is virtually flat near DC to 250Khz, meaning phase response in the human hearing range is stellar. Achieving this without the gain bandwidth stability problems of op-amps is already a big plus. High frequency spatial cues spring to life freed from the chains of excessive negative feedback, reproducing Vioelectric's effortless soundstage, again aided by a massive 50 volt operating voltage. High damping factor is also always a given in a Vioelectric, controlling the increasingly low-impedance flagship cans of today and tomorrow with more relevant authority than before. Having the power reserves and voltage headroom of V222 will serve you ably now and in the future. Vioelectric's output transistors are able to handle current and transfer raw power into your headphones. This Vioelectric drives common loads and beyond, from IEMs on the right pre-gain setting. While capable of producing power into tough loads, V222's sweet spot lies with the slightly higher impedances of Final Audios, Focals and ZMF Headphones. Take this classic German powerhouse as far as you want it, knowing its Lake Constance build under the watchful eyes of Fried Reim has stood the test of time ... and will continue to do so as an ever-present in Head-Fi. When you're ready, check out the brand's other precision tools here, or view all our other amplifiers here.

The convergence point of Vioelectric's progress making amplifiers since 1986, HPA V550 takes the power, detail silent background and dynamics you all know and love, distilling that into a single powerhouse chassis. Make no mistake – V550 is first and foremost a brute capable of pushing over 12 watts into HIFIMAN's Susvara. But it also tells you it's not just about the power figures but rather how they're channeled into your flagship headphones. And achieving 131dB of dynamic range is certainly an enviable feat for something so powerful. Vioelectric achieve that through V550's low internal gain. Their signature pre-gain switches allow further trim of the volume knob, always ensuring your prized asset is operating at its best signal-to-noise ratio. [See Product Desc. For More] No matter where your volume control or pre-gain settings are, a huge operating voltage always ensures you have more than sufficient headroom to drive nigh any headphone with V550. 16 output transistors certainly enjoy being run in the most linear regions of their transfer curve, already achieving low noise and distortion in the open-loop before the application of negative feedback. What goes in comes out the same – and V550's fully-balanced, differential operation yields common-mode rejection that also lends itself to this amplifier's huge claimed 131dB dynamic range. The direct-coupled V550 promises frequency extension that is virtually flat near DC to 250Khz, meaning phase response in the human hearing range is stellar. High frequency spatial cues are true to life, reproducing Vioelectric's effortless soundstage here, again aided by a huge 50 volt operating voltage. Vioelectric's output transistors in turn reap the benefits of V550's dual-mono power supply, ably handing the current produced to transfer into your headphones as an excellent voltage source. High damping factor is always a given, controlling the increasingly low-impedance flagship cans of today and tomorrow with more relevant authority than before. Having the power reserves and voltage headroom of V550 will serve you ably now and in the future. This Vioelectric drives everything, from IEMs on the right pre-gain setting, to becoming the sweet spot for Final Audios, Focals, Fostexs and Rosson Audio Designs, to the ZMF Headphones Caldera, Hedd Audio's HEDDPhone 2 and naturally, HIFIMANs and Abyss Headphones. Take this classic German powerhouse as far as you want it, knowing its Lake Constance build under the watchful eyes of Fried Reim has stood the test of time ... and will continue to do so as an ever-present in Head-Fi. When you're ready, step up to Niimbus US5 – Vioelectric's ultimate flagship line – here, check out the brand's other precision tools here, or view all our other amplifiers here.

The most resolving amplifier – not just of Vioelectric's current crop, but in all of Head-Fi. A bold claim, but a title befitting for the Niimbus US5 though as it achieves both fidelity via a 135dB dynamic range, and combines that with power to drive HIFIMAN's Susvara.  14 watts into Susvara Unveiled certainly keeps that planar flagship ticking over and producing all the resolution it's capable of. Niimbus, Vioelectric and Lake People continue to be worthy steeds for the world's latest and greatest headphones. All the hallmarks of a superb voltage source are present. 16 output transistors provide superb damping factor and are fully capable of handling the current produced by US5's dual-mono power supply and huge supply rails. But power is nothing without control, US5 says echoing Pirelli's famous slogan. For an amplifier capable of providing so much power, Vioelectric's unique pre-gain system steps in to keep noise low, and detail in your music high. [See Product Desc. For More] In there is the delicate balance Niimbus provides. US5 achieves infinite headroom for listening loud on the most demanding headphones, reproducing crashing musical crescendos without the slightest hint of clipping or losing composure.  And at the same time, Niimbus is a transient detail monster, being totally respectful of musical detail and reproducing it without undue colouration. “Tools, not toys” is the famous Vioelectric slogan, yet US5's top attributes always combine to bring us unbridled fun hearing detail that hadn't been present before. At the heart of Niimbus' awesome performance is a power supply built upon a 60 volt operating voltage. No matter how loud you listen, US5 Pro's massive headroom keeps individual transistors running in their most linear region in the open-loop.  Linearity is already a given before negative feedback is applied. What goes in comes out the same – and US5's fully-balanced, differential operation yields common-mode rejection that also lends itself to this amplifier's huge claimed 135dB dynamic range. The true credit for that goes towards the default extremely low internal gain – all of 2dB – Niimbus works with. With lower gain comes lower noise, encouraging you to climb your volume knob and feed in more signal ... only helping your ratios, and your ability to hear more of the music.  The direct-coupled Niimbus promises frequency extension that is virtually flat from near DC to 250Khz, meaning phase response in the human hearing range is stellar and transients and dynamics are true-to-life. What strengthens this impression is clearly a tremendously high slew rate. All this exceptional handling of US5's small signal leads to a linearity that then gets passed over to 16 output transistors that are well capable of withstanding the amplifier's huge operating voltage – and handling the abundant current its power supply can deliver. This all maintains the exceptional fidelity Niimbus receives from your source, to be passed over accurately – with minimal distortion – to your flagship headphones.  With every other popular flaghip planar-magnetic headphone taking the low-impedance route, having the power reserves and voltage headroom of Niimbus will serve you ably now and in the future. US5 drives everything, from IEMs on the right pre-gain setting, to becoming the sweet spot for Final Audios, Focals, Fostexs and Rosson Audio Designs, to the ZMF Headphones Caldera, Hedd Audio's HEDDPhone 2 and naturally, HIFIMANs and Abyss Headphones. Come and hear how Niimbus US5's heavy hardware and expert craftsmanship of assemblers working under Fried Reim's watchful eye justify its top-tier pricing and place at the top of the flagship pile. View the uppermost sibling US5 Pro here, other Vioelectric amplifiers here, or all our other amplifiers here.

The most resolving amplifier – not just of Vioelectric's current crop, but in all of Head-Fi. A bold claim, but a title befitting for the Niimbus US5 Pro though as it achieves both fidelity via a 135dB dynamic range, and combines that with power to drive HIFIMAN's Susvara.  14 watts into Susvara Unveiled certainly keeps that planar flagship ticking over and producing all the resolution it's capable of. Niimbus, Vioelectric and Lake People continue to be worthy steeds for the world's latest and greatest headphones. It clinches StereoNET's Applause Award. All the hallmarks of a superb voltage source are present. 16 output transistors provide superb damping factor and are fully capable of handling the current produced by US5 Pro's dual-mono power supply and huge operating voltage. But power is nothing without control, US5 Pro says echoing Pirelli's famous slogan. For an amplifier capable of providing so much power, the Niimbus signature move of using reed-relay resistor ladder volume controls and Vioelectric's unique pre-gain system keeps noise low, and detail in your music high. [See Product Desc. For More] In there is the delicate balance Niimbus provides. US5 Pro achieves infinite headroom for listening loud on the most demanding headphones, reproducing crashing musical crescendos without the slightest hint of clipping or losing composure.  And at the same time, Niimbus is a transient detail monster, being totally respectful of musical detail and reproducing it without undue colouration. “Tools, not toys” is the famous Vioelectric slogan, yet US5 Pro's top attributes always combine to bring us unbridled fun hearing detail that hadn't been present before. At the heart of Niimbus' awesome performance is a power supply built upon a 60 volt operating voltage. No matter how loud you listen, US5 Pro's massive headroom keeps individual transistors running in their most linear region in the open-loop.  Linearity is already a given before negative feedback is applied. What goes in comes out the same – and US5 Pro's fully-balanced, differential operation yields common-mode rejection that also lends itself to this amplifier's huge claimed 135dB dynamic range. The true credit for that goes towards the default extremely low internal gain – all of 2dB – Niimbus works with. With lower gain comes lower noise, encouraging you to climb your volume knob and feed in more signal ... only helping your ratios, and your ability to hear more of the music.  That optimised operation only serves up the platform for US5 Pro's reed-relay volume control – 256 steps each yielding a 0.4dB difference. That yields super-precise adjustments devoid of channel imbalances, and no loss of transparency one might otherwise endure at the lowest points of a conventional potentiometer.   Free from the big chunk of a variable resistor in its signal path, US5 Pro switches in a couple of quality resistors of precise value for your volume setting, to enable a hyper-transparent presentation. The direct-coupled Niimbus promises frequency extension that is virtually flat from near DC to 250Khz, meaning phase response in the human hearing range is stellar and transients and dynamics are true-to-life. What strengthens this impression is clearly a tremendously high slew rate. The air and natural, sophisticated bloom to notes separates this Niimbus from all others – even its regular US5 counterpart. All this exceptional handling of US5 Pro's small signal leads to a linearity that then gets passed over to 16 output transistors that are well capable of withstanding the amplifier's huge operating voltage – and handling the abundant current its power supply can deliver. This all maintains the exceptional fidelity Niimbus receives from your source, to be passed over accurately – with minimal distortion – to your flagship headphones.  With every other popular flaghip planar-magnetic headphone taking the low-impedance route, having the power reserves and voltage headroom of Niimbus will serve you ably now and in the future. US5 Pro drives everything, from IEMs on the right pre-gain setting, to becoming the sweet spot for Final Audios, Focals, Fostexs and Rosson Audio Designs, to the ZMF Headphones Caldera, Hedd Audio's HEDDPhone 2 and naturally, HIFIMANs and Abyss Headphones. Come and hear how Niimbus US5 Pro's heavy hardware and expert craftsmanship of assemblers working under Fried Reim's direction justify its top-tier pricing and place at the top of the flagship pile. View the sibling US5 here, other Vioelectric amplifiers here, or all our other amplifiers here.