Popular Post PeterG Posted February 19, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2020 A much happier read than State of the Union! I have been looking at these for a few weeks, and Danny at Requisite has assured me that the MC275 will do well with them. You might drop him a line to ask why the blown tube/fuse. Also, one of the amazing things about your impressions here is that your alternative is not some sort of mid range compromise set up--it's your Wilsons. To read that you're excited to ignore such magnificent speakers has me on the edge of my seat. Rock on! 4est and The Computer Audiophile 1 1 Link to comment
Popular Post PeterG Posted February 26, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 26, 2020 That's it--THIS PSYCHIC ABUSE MUST END!!! Pulled the trigger a few minutes ago. Though with only an MC275, I will have to settle for "magical" instead of "stunning", haha. I'll report back after some listening. For others on the fence or in search of a demo, there is a 14-day risk-free return policy. Thanks, Chris! Energy, The Computer Audiophile and RickyV 1 2 Link to comment
PeterG Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 Chris-- One more MC275 question: Do you know why you blew tube/fuse? Thanks P Link to comment
PeterG Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 Any thoughts on the Jotunheim R vs a single Vidar? My SR1a's arrive on Thursday, and based this thread I'm expecting my MC275 to be (just a bit) lacking. My original thinking was that another $700 for a Vidar would be still in the same ballpark, but then I saw the Jotunheim R--specially made for the SR1a's--on the Schiit website. I don't really care about saving the box, only sound quality. Also, I am perplexed that the Jotunheim R specs do not include watts per channel. Which box has better guts? Thanks Link to comment
Popular Post PeterG Posted March 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted March 6, 2020 WHOA!!! Raals landed today and I am blown away. As Chris has reported--the resolution, details, and realism are amazing. Micro details in voice, strings, percussion make it similar in effect to sitting next to a performer on stage. Prior to this, the best headphones I had heard were the Focal Utopias, which are excellent, but no match for the SR1a's. These are a completely different beast. I am not certain I will keep them, for reasons I'll describe below, but I am certain that no one should buy reference headphones without trying these first--they are absolutely amazing. A few specifics continuing where Chris and others have left off: Starting with the source so that you can calibrate my other thoughts--I'm using an MC275 VI. I cannot comment on bloom--the sound is simply magnificent, and with nothing to compare, I can detect no weaknesses. (And I mean no weaknesses--maybe its because Im bouncing up and down with excitement to My Old School as I type?) I am not running out of gas with the flaps relatively closed, but I do run out when I open them up. Alas, unlike other reports, the soundstage is in my head, not in front of me. Maybe because the flaps are too closed? The bass is also great--I'd say spot on, at least with the flaps where I have them. My guess is that reports of weak bass have come from those expecting solid back headphone bass, which is far less accurate, or the whole body feel of bass from speakers. The whole thing is just so damn intense. I disagree with the too bright characterization, though I might say they are too forward for a mellow listening experience. It's an adrenaline jolt like a great rock concert. Chris mentioned having to adjust volume on high dynamic range tracks--absolutely. This is thrilling moment to moment. But my ears hurt a bit, and I'm messing with the volume pretty much every song. Miles comes in for a solo, and BANG the trumpet's right in your ear. Ironic payback for years worshipping at the Dynamic Range Database website, haha My McIntosh C22 preamp feeds my subwoofer directly, so the sub needs to be unplugged to listen to the SR1a's through the MC275. I expect this would apply to any subwoofer fed by a preamp. Maybe a Jotunheim R will allow me to open the flaps to get the soundstage in front of me while maintaining the bass and not run out of gas? All in all, a thrilling listen--kind of like driving a Ferrari (or at least how I'd imagine driving a Ferrari would be). If I can get the soundstage in front of me and also get used to the dramatic changes in volume, I'll keep them. Of course, in the meantime they will have ruined me for any other headphones 😉 Rock on! skatbelt, Jeff_N, The Computer Audiophile and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment
PeterG Posted December 19, 2020 Share Posted December 19, 2020 4 hours ago, RickyV said: In the future when funds allow I’ll probably buy or diy a Purifi class d amp I'd be careful here. If there is a disadvantage to the RAALs it is that they are too quick already. That "straight wire" might be more than you bargained for Link to comment
PeterG Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 1 hour ago, RickyV said: It’s like having your chin on the podium with the applauding people behind your head. All in all these headphones are very nice to have really enjoyable, they are like a stethoscope into your system listening unfiltered to your systems character. My experience too, though my chin was on the bell of the saxophone. I ended up with the similarly revealing, though more delicate and less intense (5th row of the theatre?), Stax SR--009S. I think you hit the nail on the head with all of these uber headphones (RAAL, Stax, Abyss...)--it is not that they directly comparable or a substitute for great speakers. They are at the same level, doing some things better, some not as well. Maybe like comparing a Porsche 911 and a Mercedes S? Both are magnificent, and if you are doubly fortunate to have both in your garage, you are likely to alternate depending on mood, route, weather, etc. ShawnC 1 Link to comment
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