It works and how! - RAAL SR1b + existing headphone amplifier

After our last post about the RAAL SR1b and the dedicated headphone amplifier HSA-1b, I asked myself how the SR1b works with a "normal" headphone amplifier...

...and actually that doesn't work at all, because the SR1b has a resistance of 0.1 ohms - much less than conventional headphones - and therefore requires a whopping 40W of power per channel - no "normal" headphone amplifier can do that!

RAAL were aware of the problem because not every potential buyer or interested party wants to replace their existing headphone amplifier because of new headphones. 

Fortunately, they had a simple but brilliant idea: They designed a "small box" that quickly converted the very low resistance of the SR1b (or CA-1a) into somewhat more "usable" regions transformed - 16 and 32 ohms are available. - And it works with the existing head amp!

So far so good - or?

After listening to the SR1b and CA-1a with the in-house HSA-1b amp, which was built specifically for these headphones (or head speakers), I had serious doubts about how well the whole thing would play on a "conventional" head amp would.

Yesterday the time had come: I was once again invited to my colleague Thomas P.'s "mancave" to, as he so beautifully puts it, "nerd out" a little. That means exchanging the latest hi-fi achievements and findings. 😅

Fortunately, Thomas has the great Ferrum OOR along with the Hypsos Power Supply as well as the also very good Burson Conductor 3XR at home. The perfect laboratory setup for a test with the SR1b + Interface.

Image: Ferrum OOR

Image: Burson Conductor 3XR

How does it sound now?

Thomas and I were skeptical as to how two very, very good, but still significantly cheaper headphone amplifiers would perform against a device that was not only twice as expensive, but was also built specifically for the SR1b and CA-1a...

...and after the first bars of Patricia Barber's "Regular Pleasures" it became clear: It works - and how!

The RAAL SR1b played the way I know and love it: with a large stage and incredible airiness and three-dimensionality. Nothing was missing here - all thanks to this "little box" from RAAL. 

Yes, of course, the HSA-1a amp from RAAL naturally got a little more verve and pressure out of the SR1b, which is to be expected given the effort and price involved. More bass, more air and more insistent voices characterize this dream combination. 

But: It has to be said very clearly that the SR1b plays in the top league even with a "normal" headphone amplifier and could easily stand up to a Hifiman Susvara (Thomas' headphones) - these in terms of stage and airiness even surpassed. 

A little reminder: At 6000 CHF, the Susvara is about twice as expensive as the SR1b from RAAL - so it's almost a "bargain" in comparison!

In general, the SR1b is in terms of stage and details and three-dimensionality is hard to beat - at least I personally haven't heard any headphones that come close to this or even surpass the SR1b.

(No, I've never heard of the Shangri-La from Hifiman or the Sennheiser Orpheus for 50,000 CHF each, but they're priced beyond good and bad!)

What remains from this "Nerd Day" is the realization that if you are interested in the RAAL headphones SR1b or CA-1a you can buy them without hesitation, as long as the in-house headphone amplifier delivers at least 2 watts per channel and is of good quality!

And later, if you want a little more, you can try out the dedicated amps from RAAL yourself without obligation in order to really make the most of the SR1b or CA-1a. 🙌😉

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleague Thomas, who is not only happy to make his "Mancave" available for testing purposes again and again, but also gives me little tips, tricks and recommendations can open your eyes to something new every time.

MERCI Thomas! 🙏😊

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