Powerful balanced headphone amplifier with 256-stage relay

The Violectric HPA V550 PRO is a high-end analog headphone amplifier with a perfect preamplifier and a wide range of functions. The HPA V550 PRO offers outstanding technical values, excellent sound and workmanship in the best manufacturing quality.

The pre-gain circuit allows the amplifier to be adapted to the requirements of the headphones being used. Even critical designs such as magnetostats can be easily operated via the balanced and the two unbalanced headphone connections. Up to three analog stereo sources can be connected via one XLR and two RCA connections. The HPA V550 PRO also offers one balanced and one unbalanced output. High-quality ALPS RK27 potentiometers are used for volume and balance control.

The volume control in the HPA V550 PRO is implemented using a relay circuit with 256 levels. An included remote control offers maximum ease of use.

Inputs & outputs

Inputs analog, stereo
-> 2x RCA unbalanced
-> 1x XLR female balanced

+++ Inputs switchable on front with button +++

Outputs headphones
-> 1x jack 6.3 mm, unbalanced
-> 1x XLR 4-pin, female, balanced
-> 1x Pentaconn 4.4 mm, balanced

Outputs analog, stereo
-> 1x RCA unbalanced
-> 1x XLR male balanced

+++ Outputs switchable on front with button (HEAD / MUTE / LINE) on rear with button (Line Pre / Post) +++

Relay Controlled Attenuator (RCA)

The volume of the Violectric HPA V550 PRO is controlled via a 256-stage reed relay circuit. This ensures the best sound and perfect channel balance over the entire control range.

The advantages of using “RCA” are

• no scratching, as there is no resistor track
• best channel balance thanks to the use of 1% and 0.1% resistors
• minimal crosstalk, as the channels are spatially separated
• control range (theoretically) greater than with a potentiometer
• no risk of additional “distortion” or “noise”, as only resistors are installed in the signal path

The relay-controlled attenuator is the best way to control the volume of an amplifier.

Balanced headphone outputs

When listening to music via loudspeakers, you are part of the auditorium. When listening through “normal” headphones, you take the place of the conductor. When listening with “balanced” headphones, you are part of the orchestra.

If headphones are operated symmetrically, the channel separation is increased even further. Balanced headphones usually have a 4-pin XLR connection or a Pentaconn plug. True balanced operation requires a great deal of effort in the form of four built-in power amplifiers.

PRE-GAIN

The headphone amplifier is positioned between the music source and the headphones. The source can be of varying power and the headphones of varying sensitivity. The Lake People PRE-GAIN serves to compensate for these differences and to optimize the headphone amplifier for every conceivable combination. This results in minimal noise, the lowest distortion factor and the best channel balance.

The PRE-GAIN adjustment is located on the rear of the Violectric HPA V340 and can be set individually in 7 stages (-18, -12, -6, 0, +6, +12, +18 dB)

Perfect headphone protection

Various circuits protect the headphones from unclear operating states, DC voltage, excessive operating temperature and overload:

Delayed ON, Instant OFF
Every headphone amplifier causes interference when it is switched on and off. This interference can damage the connected headphones. The headphones are connected to the amplifier with a delay via relays and the associated electronics and disconnected again immediately after switching off. In this way, the headphones themselves are protected from the device electronics as long as no clearly defined conditions are to be expected.

DC monitoring
The outputs are monitored for harmful DC voltage. As soon as a predefined value is exceeded, the headphones are switched off.

Overload monitoring
The power consumption is constantly measured during operation. If predefined parameters are exceeded, the headphones are switched off.

Remote control

Control the Violectric HPA V550 PRO remotely with its beautifully designed remote control milled from a solid piece of metal. Infrared gives you access to the most important functions of the device:

• Volume
• Mute
• Input selection (XLR / RCA1 / RCA2)
• Output selection (headphones / LineOut)

Violectric's unique technology

• Lowest noise - thanks to very low internal amplification. This means that the amplifier's own noise is inaudible.

• High output voltage - due to an internal 50 volt operating voltage. Therefore ideally suited for high-impedance headphones.

• High output power - thanks to powerful amplifiers that can deliver far more power than even the most demanding headphones require. Therefore ideally suited for headphones with low impedances and magnetostats.

• High damping factor - due to the lowest output impedance. Therefore ideally suited to drive even the most difficult headphones without interference. The advantage for an uncompromising frequency response.

Violectric - The brand for music lovers

• Violectric brings decades of expertise and the uncompromising quality standards of professional Lake People products to the world of hi-fi - with passion! Music lovers all over the world rave about the seamless integration into their systems: from a convenient and versatile input section to precisely adjustable gain control and digital interfaces with first-class converter technology at broadcast level - no wish remains unfulfilled here.

• The entire Violectric portfolio impresses with intuitive operability that is otherwise only known from professional audio technology. And there are no compromises when it comes to quality: Every single component is carefully selected to guarantee maximum sound fidelity.

• However, Violectric not only stands for outstanding technology, but also for timeless elegance. The products are integrated into an elegant, high-quality housing and fit perfectly into any sophisticated hi-fi setup. For audiophile perfectionists who don't want to compromise, the Niimbus series offers the ultimate - both visually and technically at the very highest level.

Features

• balanced inputs via gold-plated Neutrik XLR sockets
• unbalanced inputs via gold-plated RCA sockets
• PRE-GAIN: 7-stage internally adjustable gain
• Powerful balanced stereo amplifier (4 output stages)
• Compact and extremely robust aluminum housing
• Made in Germany