RAAL-requisite SR1a Has Landed

[TubeLover]

My RAAL package arrived unusually late yesterday for UPS (7:30pm!). Granted, I sincerely thanked the driver for sticking it out, and finishing his last deliveries. And so, I've been listening since last night, and wanted to share my impressions. Let me note that all listening done so far has been with the RAAL's connected to my Modwright KWI 200 integrated. It's no slouch, and with 200wpc, easily drives the RAAL's exceedingly well. First of all, I'm in agreement with quite a few others that you had all the essential elements identified correctly, Chris. 

 

The speed, dynamics, clarity and overall presentation are simply stunning. I was not prepared for the solidity of the bass, top to bottom. I have a couple favorite tracks that I use to evaluate how well speakers, of any kind, can reproduce bass as recorded, well, in a rock environment. One is the Dire Straits, Brothers In Arms track, :Ride Across The River". Actually, this is a fabulous track for a complete speaker evaluation too, but the bass, in this intense and challenging mix, is hard to get truly right, and not many speakers accomplish it with total effectiveness. The second track is from the original solo album, by one of my rock heroes, and so sorely missed, Chris Squire, of Yes, who redefined what a bass player could do in the world of rock. The album is "Fish Out Of Water", and the track is "Lucky Seven". I followed those two recordings with some acoustic bass from a few really well recorded sources. In every case, the RAAL's delivered all the "natural" bass sonics with control and substance. Remarkable.

 

As I continued listening into the night I sat there, regularly stunned by revelations at how they reproduced a series of test tracks and evaluation albums that I've used over the years. Everything from hard rock to folk, to ambient, to acoustic music was limited only by the quality of the recording. Even the Gregorian Chants that I was listening to at 1am sounded as though I was in the ancient chapel in Europe during the performance. Around 2am, I was getting tired, it had been a long day before the RAAl's got here, and needed some sleep. I thought, well, try one last piece of music. I selected an old favorite, by the very gifted guitarist, Jesse Cook. As I believe was noted earlier in the thread, he melds flamenco, blues, world, and a few other things into his playing, but most of his albums are superbly recorded, as well as brilliantly played. I put on his live album recorded in Montreal. I planned to listen to just the first couple songs of this bravura performance and before I even realized it, it was after 3am, as Ron had continued playing some of his songs. I was so lost in the sound of the RAAL's reproducing this music, I didn't even know what had happened. 

Something that has routinely left me in awe is the degree to which the dynamics of this remarkable product can impact your listening in ways you never before heard. I would be carefully listening to music that I knew like the back of my hand and had heard countlewss times, and on some very high end systems. Out of nowhere a guitar note would appear, from absolute blackness, or a sticks impact on a drum, or a backing vocal that just mysteriously was there, none of which I had ever heard that way before. 

 

Right now I am listening to the redoubtable Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell and their "The Traveling Kind" album. It is as though they are singing only to me, from somewhere just ahead on a small stage. Just remarkable.

 

I'll have more comments tomorrow night, and I suspect even yet another level of performance to credit the RAAL's with, after I get them connected to my much loved Conrad Johnson ARTsa amplifier. That should, I expect, produce true magic even beyond what has come before.

 

JC

[The Computer Audiophile]

4 minutes ago, TubeLover said:

My RAAL package arrived unusually late yesterday for UPS (7:30pm!). Granted, I sincerely thanked the driver for sticking it out, and finishing his last deliveries. And so, I've been listening since last night, and wanted to share my impressions. Let me note that all listening done so far has been with the RAAL's connected to my Modwright KWI 200 integrated. It's no slouch, and with 200wpc, easily drives the RAAL's exceedingly well. First of all, I'm in agreement with quite a few others that you had all the essential elements identified correctly, Chris. 

 

The speed, dynamics, clarity and overall presentation are simply stunning. I was not prepared for the solidity of the bass, top to bottom. I have a couple favorite tracks that I use to evaluate how well speakers, of any kind, can reproduce bass as recorded, well, in a rock environment. One is the Dire Straits, Brothers In Arms track, :Ride Across The River". Actually, this is a fabulous track for a complete speaker evaluation too, but the bass, in this intense and challenging mix, is hard to get truly right, and not many speakers accomplish it with total effectiveness. The second track is from the original solo album, by one of my rock heroes, and so sorely missed, Chris Squire, of Yes, who redefined what a bass player could do in the world of rock. The album is "Fish Out Of Water", and the track is "Lucky Seven". I followed those two recordings with some acoustic bass from a few really well recorded sources. In every case, the RAAL's delivered all the "natural" bass sonics with control and substance. Remarkable.

 

As I continued listening into the night I sat there, regularly stunned by revelations at how they reproduced a series of test tracks and evaluation albums that I've used over the years. Everything from hard rock to folk, to ambient, to acoustic music was limited only by the quality of the recording. Even the Gregorian Chants that I was listening to at 1am sounded as though I was in the ancient chapel in Europe during the performance. Around 2am, I was getting tired, it had been a long day before the RAAl's got here, and needed some sleep. I thought, well, try one last piece of music. I selected an old favorite, by the very gifted guitarist, Jesse Cook. As I believe was noted earlier in the thread, he melds flamenco, blues, world, and a few other things into his playing, but most of his albums are superbly recorded, as well as brilliantly played. I put on his live album recorded in Montreal. I planned to listen to just the first couple songs of this bravura performance and before I even realized it, it was after 3am, as Ron had continued playing some of his songs. I was so lost in the sound of the RAAL's reproducing this music, I didn't even know what had happened. 

Something that has routinely left me in awe is the degree to which the dynamics of this remarkable product can impact your listening in ways you never before heard. I would be carefully listening to music that I knew like the back of my hand and had heard countlewss times, and on some very high end systems. Out of nowhere a guitar note would appear, from absolute blackness, or a sticks impact on a drum, or a backing vocal that just mysteriously was there, none of which I had ever heard that way before. 

 

Right now I am listening to the redoubtable Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell and their "The Traveling Kind" album. It is as though they are singing only to me, from somewhere just ahead on a small stage. Just remarkable.

 

I'll have more comments tomorrow night, and I suspect even yet another level of performance to credit the RAAL's with, after I get them connected to my much loved Conrad Johnson ARTsa amplifier. That should, I expect, produce true magic even beyond what has come before.

 

JC

I’ve been waiting for your first impressions! Happy to read them so far. 
 

The more you listen and the more you find the perfect placement of the headphones on your head, the better it gets. Plus, you still have the CJ amp to put in the chain!

 

I’d say these are the most amazing / breakthrough HiFi product in recent memory for me. I’ve had them paired with the VT80SE for several days and just can’t get enough. In fact, I setup a little table below my desk so I can easily use a few more DACs with the SR1a. 
 

[TubeLover]

19 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

I’ve been waiting for your first impressions! Happy to read them so far. 
 

The more you listen and the more you find the perfect placement of the headphones on your head, the better it gets. Plus, you still have the CJ amp to put in the chain!

 

I’d say these are the most amazing / breakthrough HiFi product in recent memory for me. I’ve had them paired with the VT80SE for several days and just can’t get enough. In fact, I setup a little table below my desk so I can easily use a few more DACs with the SR1a. 
 

Chris, given all the time you've had with them, any additional comments or recommendations on finding the perfect placement on one's head? 

 

JC

[ShawnC]

9 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

I’ve been waiting for your first impressions! Happy to read them so far. 
 

The more you listen and the more you find the perfect placement of the headphones on your head, the better it gets. Plus, you still have the CJ amp to put in the chain!

 

I’d say these are the most amazing / breakthrough HiFi product in recent memory for me. I’ve had them paired with the VT80SE for several days and just can’t get enough. In fact, I setup a little table below my desk so I can easily use a few more DACs with the SR1a. 
 

Jesus Chris, is that a picture of your attic or an audio dealer 😉

[The Computer Audiophile]

8 minutes ago, ShawnC said:

Jesus Chris, is that a picture of your attic or an audio dealer 😉

Ha! If only I could fit everything that’s here, in the photo!

 

[LowOrbit]

If you need to offload some of that gear, I have space over here, Chris😉

 

[davide256]

So one of the questions I'd suggest contemplating for the review... how good does your equipment need to be for you not to end up hating everything in gear you already have 😝

[TubeLover]

Just a quick update, I promise more tomorrow, but hey, I'm losing an hour tonight, so I need the time to listen!

 

I've spent the last five hours with the RAAL's connected to my main system downstairs. The network player/streamer is the Sonore System Optique, The DAC is the fabulous Lampizator Golden Gate, the preamp is the Conrad Johnson ACT 2, and perhaps the key thing of interest, the amplifier is the superb Conrad Johnson ARTsa. 

 

Listening to the RAAl's through the ARTsa is utterly and simply magical. Through a vast menage of specific songs I was picking out to listen to, I continued to find myself several songs past the one I chose, as the album continued to play, and I was so taken with the sound that I foorgot there was so much more I intended to hear.

 

Without, in any way limiting the matchless speed, dynamics and bell like clarity of the Earspeakers, there is now more depth, a bit deeper richness in the tones, and a sense of naturalness that places the musicians and singers right there with you, as though there were no microphones, an amplifiers, nothing between them and you. In the best possible circumstances,ie; the right amp and system, I am not entirely sure that there are freestanding, monitor or tower speakers that can completely match what the RAAL's can do. And if there are, I believe you are looking at least at the $65-100k or higher, range, of speakers, and likely an equal investment in amplification. And thats not to mention an ideal room, and sound treatments, both of which the RAAL's eliminate any need for. I'm literally stunned, so many times, and in so many moments, with what I am hearing, and how it is being presented to my ears. And that is true in virtually all genre's I have explored. 

 

Chris said "I’d say these are the most amazing / breakthrough HiFi product in recent memory for me." I'm with you Chris, but "recent" may be overly kind to other contenders.

 

JC

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 hour ago, TubeLover said:

I am not entirely sure that there are freestanding, monitor or tower speakers that can completely match what the RAAL's can do. And if there are, I believe you are looking at least at the $65-100k or higher, range, of speakers, and likely an equal investment in amplification. And thats not to mention an ideal room, and sound treatments, both of which the RAAL's eliminate any need for.

This is crazy, but true. 

[RickyV]

So  after reading al these fantastic listening experiences it sure sounds  like it is The holy graal of music reproduction. 

[austinpop]

5 hours ago, RickyV said:

it is The holy graal of music

 

I need to try one in my kraal then!

[RickyV]

5 hours ago, austinpop said:

 

I need to try one in my kraal then!

😁

I must say I am a bit astonished you stil haven’t, you being a headphone guy.

I really thought you would jump on the raal and would write the review Chris is now writing. It really sounds like an amazing thing and even I am tempted for its near ideal sound reproduction qualities, maybe?.  But I also want a Bartók and a couple of Cube audio drivers and audio analysis speakers.

[TubeLover]

My latest quandary, in this regard. Yes, the RAAL's are superb with the Conrad Johnson ARTsa. This is one of the great high power tube amps ever. But the plan all along, was to sell that to offset the cost of the Lamms that I stole last fall. I am now in a position where I have to search for acceptable alternatives. My next big challenge. And I've been researching relentlessly of late. Not an easy task.  

 

JC

[The Computer Audiophile]

5 hours ago, TubeLover said:

My latest quandary, in this regard. Yes, the RAAL's are superb with the Conrad Johnson ARTsa. This is one of the great high power tube amps ever. But the plan all along, was to sell that to offset the cost of the Lamms that I stole last fall. I am now in a position where I have to search for acceptable alternatives. My next big challenge. And I've been researching relentlessly of late. Not an easy task.  

 

JC

First world problem, but problem nonetheless. I feel your pain. 
 

Any ideas what amps you’re considering?

[TubeLover]

18 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

First world problem, but problem nonetheless. I feel your pain. 
 

Any ideas what amps you’re considering?

It is  abit painful deciding I actually had to go through with the idea of selling off the ARTsa, but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet. I was just listening for a fair number of hours again last night and it's just superb with the RAAL's. 

 

I had  a small list put together, all very dependent on the used pricing that I could find them at.And them something popped up today that I made a quick decision on. A pair of monoblocks that I heard, some years back, and was very impressed with, as I have been with all the amps made by this particular company. I ended up closing a deal this afternoon to purchase  a mint condition, fully checked out, pair of used Quicksilver Silver 88 monos. I bought these, from a brick and mortar store who had them in stock, via the original owner's trade in. He had apparently come into some money because he replaced them with a $33k pair of monos from Ayre. He apparently had to move away from tubes due to his new fiances pets.

 

The Silver 88's were already being offered at a good price, which I negotiated down a bit further, including free shipping. These were in Stereophile's Class A for tube amps during their production and there are almost none in that class that can be found affordably, used, so in this, I was very fortunate. The Silver 88's  can also be very hard to find on the used market, I've only seen a couple in the past three or four years appear for sale.

 

I'm quite sure they should work very well. I did have a nice conversation about them with Mike Sanders of Quicksilver. He's a great guy, and very supportive of even discontinued designs like these. He told me that they will absolutely put out a solid 100wpc, and into just about any load. Now I need to brush up on current KT88 options (no idea what is coming with the amps).

 

I'll report back when they arrive.

 

JC 

[cfisher]

Yaalls just bought me a pair and a Jot R with my economic stimulus. Ready for social distancing.

[The Computer Audiophile]

15 minutes ago, cfisher said:

Yaalls just bought me a pair and a Jot R with my economic stimulus. Ready for social distancing.

Can’t wait to read your impressions. 

[cfisher]

Wow, things have changed since March 17th. I hope everyone is ok. My SR1A and Jot R, finally made it out of California and arrived at my house. I should let them break in before I say too much but they are really stunning. I made a playlist (public on Tidal, "RAAL") of a bunch of different stuff that I wanted to hear through them. Some of the tracks are things that were mentioned in the various reviews other tracks are things I have heard over the last few weeks and wondered what they would sound like on the RAALs. Simple answer is: amazing. I will say more when everything is nice and broken in. I just wanted to check in and wish everyone well. I appreciate all of your excitement about the SR1A. These are definitely going to make my time at home much more enjoyable. Thanks also to Moon Audio, RAAL, and Schiit for getting these to me in the midst of such a horrific crisis.

[austinpop]

@The Computer Audiophile

 

Chris, is this on your radar? RAAL’s own amp: https://raalrequisite.com/amplifiers/hsa-1a/

 

Seems awfully anemic on paper, but the proof is in the listening, I guess.

 

Also, has anyone tried a BHK power amp?

[The Computer Audiophile]

6 minutes ago, austinpop said:

@The Computer Audiophile

 

Chris, is this on your radar? RAAL’s own amp: https://raalrequisite.com/amplifiers/hsa-1a/

 

Seems awfully anemic on paper, but the proof is in the listening, I guess.

 

Also, has anyone tried a BHK power amp?

I didn't know it was finally available! Thanks for the link. Not cheap!

[TubeLover]

5 hours ago, austinpop said:

@The Computer Audiophile

 

Chris, is this on your radar? RAAL’s own amp: https://raalrequisite.com/amplifiers/hsa-1a/

 

Seems awfully anemic on paper, but the proof is in the listening, I guess.

 

Also, has anyone tried a BHK power amp?

I've not seen an indication of someone trying a BHK power amp with the RAALs in any of my extensive research prior to purchasing. Quite a few others, but not that combination. I've heard them extensively, and both the stereo version and the monon blocks are very fine amps, and I would expect either to offer some great performance with the RAAL's. I still think that a high quality tube amp is the optimum match for the Earspeakers though. I'll have more to report back on that topic after my replacement DAC gets here tomorrow, and makes its way through a minimum 75 hour burn in prior to listening. 

 

JC

[hvbias]

For anyone that also owns (or owned) AKG K1000 how does the bass on the RAAL compare?

[TubeLover]

I have owned both, the RAAL's far exceed the bass that the K1000's delivered. 

 

JC

[The Computer Audiophile]

Tonight I brought the SR1a to another level. This may sound crazy and I need to verify my findings over several days and listening sessions, but check this out. 

 

Roon > HQPlayer > APL HiFi DSD SR MK2 DAC > Audio Research VT80SE amp > SR1a interface > SR1a

 

I'm using HQPlayer's volume control and its upsampling everything to DSD256. What I'm hearing is astounding. There are many more variables to try in this scenario, so I won't draw any conclusions just yet. I only know that what I'm hearing now is on another level. 

[AudioDoctor]

Chris, I have no experience with the RAAL headphones, but the Susvara's on my head right now sound pretty damned good via Roon > HQPlayer > Sonore Sig Rendu SE Optical > DAC > Amp

 

I suppose I could try using HQPlayers volume control as well.