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Violectric DHA V590 and Violectric DHA V590 PRO – In reference quality

Violectric is one of the brands under which Lake People Electronic operates in the consumer electronics sector. Hi-Fi enthusiasts should benefit from the renowned manufacturer’s expertise in the professional audio segment, such as the new Violectric DHA V590 D/A converter with integrated headphone amplifier, which is also offered in the Violectric DHA V590 PRO version.


Lake People is known as one of the most renowned companies in the field of studio equipment since year and day, and is also active in the field of high-end hi-fi. However, the company’s involvement in hi-fi is primarily under two brand names, niimbus and violecrtric, with a special focus on D/A converters.

The latest solution from Lake People under the Violectric brand name is the Violectric DHA V590, once again a D/A converter which, according to the manufacturer, plays in the reference class and, in the proven manner, also takes on the role of a headphone amplifier and can also be used as a preamplifier. The result is a complete audiophile package comprising converter, headphone amplifier and flexible preamplifier for particularly demanding hi-fi enthusiasts. For all those who want to use a relay control with 256 steps instead of a flawless Alps potentiometer for volume control, the Violectric DHA V590 PRO is the right solution.

At the heart of the new Violectric DHA V590 is a D/A converter that can be optionally equipped with a resampler or reclocker. Two 32-bit AKM4490 DACs are used here in a so-called dual-mono configuration. As described above, any signal can be scaled up to full resolution, using a particularly accurate femto-clock as a basis. On the one hand, a particularly high dynamic range of 180 dB is to be achieved, and the signal is to be completely free of any jitter that could damage the sound. The converter can process data in Linear PCM format with up to 32 bits and 384 kHz and also supports DSD, although DoP, i.e. DSD over PCM, is used here.

Also on the analog level, only the finest components and a sophisticated circuitry are to be used here. For example, the developers rely on a symmetrically designed circuit, whereby, for example, 16 transistors per channel alone are used in the amplifier circuit to achieve the correct level. It is interesting that the developers not only use a high-quality motorized Alps RK27 potentiometer to control the volume, but also provide the possibility to adjust the balance between left and right channel, whereby a high-quality Alps RK27 potentiometer is also used for this purpose. By the way, a pre-gain control on the rear panel can be used to fine-tune the balance for various headphone models. Additional circuits are designed to protect the unit from DC current, overload or overvoltage and delay the power-on process to protect the connected headphones. If desired, the Violectric DHA V590 is even available with a relay-controlled volume control, according to the manufacturer, whereby 256 steps are offered here. This option is available under the name Violectric DHA V590 PRO.

The new Violectric DHA V590 also deserves special attention for the variety of connections offered. On the digital level, all relevant connection options are available with an AES/EBU, coaxial and optical S/PDIF as well as a USB interface. The full resolution of 32 bit and 384 kHz as well as DSD up to DSD 512 is of course available via the USB port and the direct connection to a PC or Mac, the other inputs are limited to 24 bit and 192 kHz.

In order to be able to use the new Violectric DHA V590 not only as a D/A converter and headphone amplifier, but also as a preamplifier, as promised, analog inputs are also available here: one balanced input in the form of XLR sockets and two pairs of RCA sockets for unbalanced sources.

The output section is similarly versatile, with three connections for headphones (two unbalanced with 6.3 mm stereo jacks, one balanced with 4-pin XLR) on the front, and a balanced and unbalanced output on the rear. The headphone and line outputs can be used separately or together, making the new Violectric DHA V590 a truly versatile control center.

The manufacturer expressly points out that the new Violectric DHA V590 and Violectric DHA V590 PRO are designed to operate any headphones without any problems. For example, the manufacturer states that four powerful amplifiers are used here and that a power of 5,500 mW into 50 ohms and 21 V RMS into 600 ohms are available.

This is also ensured by the particularly potent power supply, which is based on two toroidal transformers and has a filter capacity of more than 35,000 uF.

It goes without saying that the high demands that the developers placed on the inner workings of the new Violectric DHA V590 are naturally also reflected in its housing. The electronics are concealed in a very compact, but perfectly finished aluminium housing, which is anodised in black.

The front is of course adorned with the described volume and balance control, in addition there are a number of buttons and a lot of status LEDs, so that one is always informed about the operating status of the Violectric DHA V590 at a glance.

For comfortable remote control, the new Violectric DHA V590 comes with a matching infrared remote control. This allows control of volume, mute, input selection, resampling and output selection.

The new Violectric DHA V590 is expected to be available in specialist shops shortly. For this, the manufacturer states a recommended retail price of € 3.199,-. Whoever decides to purchase the further refined version with relay control of the volume, i.e. the Violectric DHA V590 PRO, must allow for a recommended retail price of € 3,699.

Getting to the point

The latest solution from Lake People under the Violectric brand name is the Violectric DHA V590, once again a D/A converter that, according to the manufacturer, plays in the reference class and in the proven manner also takes on the role of a headphone amplifier and can also be used as a preamplifier. The result is a complete audiophile package comprising converter, headphone amplifier and flexible preamplifier for particularly demanding hi-fi enthusiasts. For all those who want to use a relay control with 256 steps instead of a flawless Alps potentiometer for volume control, the Violectric DHA V590 PRO is the right solution.

Manufacturer:Lake People
Distribution:cma audio GmbH
Price:Violectric DHA V590 € 3.199,-
Violectric DHA V590 PRO € 3.699,-
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Michael Holzinger

Michael Holzinger, founder and editor-in-chief of HiFi BLOG and sempre-audio.at, has been working for years as a journalist in the fields of IT, photography, telecommunications and consumer electronics.

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