Article: Part 1: RAAL-requisite SR1a Earfield Headphone Monitor & HSA-1b Headphone & Speaker Amplifier Review

[Priaptor]

While I disagree with Chris on a few things, this setup is not one of them.

 

As I sold my primary house in July, pretty hastily at that and moved to my other home in MT, I had to put my main system into storage. My speakers are Gobel Aeons which for a multitude of reasons just push all the right buttons for me. True holographic and non-distorted soundstage with incredible accuracy. All of the qualities of great ribbons (although a bending wave driver) and then some.

 

Unfortunately my MT house is too small for my main system and the Mrs. isn't ready for it to take over the main room. In the past I have tried different headphones but when I saw Chris's review and the return policy from RAAL I gave it a shot. I purchased the amp in this review with headphones and RAAL's 10 foot cable. Until I get my new DAC out here I am using my Chord Mojo. Lastly, I purchased Mitch's convolution filters.

 

I was more than surprised at how much I enjoy this system. I can't say they replace my Gobels, but, I have yet to hear any headphones I enjoy more than the Gobels and while I have not heard them all, nothing comes as close to a ribbon type speaker than these, IMO.  I agree with the reviewer that they take some time to get used to because they are so different and positioning on the head takes some time to get right, not just right for the music but right for one's preference. A remarkable difference in fact. I have them "dialed in" for my preference and while different than just about any headphone, to me they really are the closest thing to my reference system especially when considering I am wearing them on my head. 

 

Kudos to all that have reviewed these things, kudos to Mitch for making an amazing headphone system much better (although he claimed it would a "minor improvement) and Kudos for RAAL raising the bar for "head speakers" for those of us looking for such a product. 

 

Yes without Mitch's filters, the bass is shy however, with them I don't miss the lower most octave that it may be missing and the lower mid-bass is very taut and excellent. 

 

 

[Priaptor]

11 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Great to hear. I’m totally with you on the dialed in part. Once you get comfy in the driver’s seat with these, it’s game on. Hard to beat, unless it’s with a full size system. 
 

Mitch and minor improvements don’t go well together :~) Everything he does has a major impact for the better. 
 

I’m glad Rajiv liked them in his system for this review because it’s quite different from my system. And, he’s a “headphone guy” with much more experience in this area than me. It’s always good to have 2nd and 3rd opinions, whether they jibe or not. 
 

 

I am ever indebted to you. After reading your take on these I said to myself, if they are as good as he says, it may just be the perfect match for my needs and I have to say they are and them some. 

 

Just waiting on my Esoteric N-05XD to top it off. Meanwhile I am enjoying what I have.

 

AND YES Mitch greatly understated the difference his filters made. 

[Priaptor]

9 hours ago, AudioDoctor said:

I need to stop reading this website...   I am so happy with what I have now.

AND all was so normal and inertia having its way in my life, UNTIL, I got an offer on my FL home I couldn't refuse and the rest is history as it pertains to my world including work, life and of course my audio world. 

 

Thankfully, I decided to read the Mitch/Chris review and I figured, what the hell, this may just be what I am looking for.

 

Of course, the "while I'm at it attitude" crept in and I decided, a system like this needs a "better" DAC as well as the better amp that RAAL sells and on and on. 

 

Mitch's filters really brings this system to another level. 

[Priaptor]

2 hours ago, HeeBroG said:

Thanks Rajiv.

 

Great work.

Especially like the way you link your evaluation playlist.

Looking forward to part 2 and your take on eq.

 

@PriaptorDoes RAAL offer a "better amp" than the HSA-1b?

 

"Of course, the "while I'm at it attitude" crept in and I decided, a system like this needs a "better" DAC as well as the better amp that RAAL sells and on and on."

Sorry, I didn't mean in my post to imply that there is a "better" amp than the 1b. That was the amp I chose to get with my "while I'm at it attitude".