yyz Posted September 9, 2021 Share Posted September 9, 2021 I heard the HSA-1b again today after about a 10 month hiatus. I have also heard the SR1a on lots of 2 channel amps I have owned, CODA #8, KRELL K-300i integrated, D-Sonic M3a 800s, Benchmark AHB2 mono, and LSA Voyager 350 GAN. So I have gained perspective on what great sound is with the SR1a. The HSA-1b today belongs in that great amp class, in line with the best amp setups I have had. I will likely get a HSA-1b for a bedroom. I currently use the KRELL K-300i integrated amp with the Benchmark DAC3B. The KRELL integrated has tremendous bass and really fills in the sound of the SR1a. The neutral DAC3B compliments the smooth and warm KRELL which are Class A on the first 90 watts. My CODA #8 has power meters. Those meters were very instructive when I used that amp with the SR1a. The SR1a was drawing more power out of the amps than my floorstanders, Thiel CS3.7 (also power hungry). I noticed that amps with a lot of power make the SR1a sound the best. The CODA #8's meters proved that to me. Mitch's filter made the Benchmark AHB2's + CODA 07x preamp sound great with the SR1a`. Otherwise, the AHB2 is not tolerable with the SR1a, even though the designer in Serbia is supposed to favor it. I am now debating whether to use the SR1a Convolution filter with the KRELL K-300i. I am leaning towards not using it. BTW - the KRELL K-300i and CODA 07x | #8 separates and CODA CSiB integrated are the great SR1a setups for me. The AHB2 is also there but it requires the Convolution filter so I do not consider it at the top. BTW2 - the CODA 07x is a perfect preamp for the SR1a. The sound is phenomenal with the SR1a and it also has 2 sets of XLR outputs for 2 sets of amps. I use 1 amp set for my floorstanders and another amp for the SR1a. Just turn the amp that is not needed OFF. This way I do not have to use the SPEAKER selection on the RAAL Amp Interface box (just HEADPHONES). I have 2 Amp Interface boxes so I have the KRELL with 1 box and the other box with a variety of amps. BTW3 - I sold my Meze Empy and Benchmark HPA4 headphone amp recently. After, the SR1a, I did not listen to the Empy. RickyV 1 Link to comment
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