You are 100% correct - this is the way!!! @Tchoupitoulas, the hopes and dreams of an entire herd of nerds fall to you. Are you up for it?!?

Speaking objectively, if you lack experience with one or all of your choices then this seems like a great time to enter "wait and see" mode until a bit more information is available. You have new world-beating ribbons, a "new" version of what many consider the best HP on earth, and an old guard...

I agree. This is largely a non-issue that some folks seem intent on driving into the ground. I personally don't think tone will change nearly as much as timbre, impact, texture, etc., which can change dramatically based on the chain. This is either a massive strength or annoying weakness...

in other news https://darko.audio/2024/05/raal-1995-magna-immanis-review/

This thread just got interesting. HERE COME THE NERD FIGHTS!!! 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿

This is a shockingly accurate take and I agree completely. The Immanis sound the closest to a 2-channel speaker system in a circumaural form factor I have heard, which is why they work so well with live music. They are just different.... Seems clear the Immanis are going to be divisive and piss...

This is just fascinating. I can't wait to find out what is causing such wildly different takes: reviewer, rig, economics, physiology or psychology.

Agree 100%. I contacted Hifiman support to replace the remote for an EF1000. The damage was completely my fault and they still replaced it for free.

Question for those with both an Envy and Hifiman Susvara. On a scale of 1 to 10, is there a (relative) consensus as to how good of a pairing is this? I tried the Envy with another headphone, but I'm specifically interested in the performance with Susvara as it is hard to find an amp that can...

Something else to note for CA/SR owners: the 3.5mm connectors have been moved forward on the driver housing/ear cups (see attached). A subtle improvement, but a welcome one to me personally as I spend most of my listening time in a recliner. The connector placement on the CA/SRs annoyed me...

Understood, my bad. What is the "proper" term then? Quantity? I agree. I had the exact same experience. My demo was quite soft and left me a bit disappointed. I got them home and it was a very different story. If I had a nickel for every time I've seen hype-driven glory posts I'd have a...

Nice chain! How do you find Sus with the Envy? They seem like a reasonable match in theory. There is probably room for both in your stable. In my experience, Sus tend to stay fairly consistent to their signature regardless of the chain (it then becomes a question of quality and/or specific...

The Immanis go beyond basic reproduction of sound at a specific frequency and add more/better/different performance within it (I presume this is due to the three-driver system?!?). This seems to result in more linear performance across a larger portion of the spectrum compared to Susvara. Hence...

I also disagree. Vehemently. I A/B'd Susvaras directly against the Immanis and impact wasn't particularly close. I can't speak to Susvaras paired with a Felix Envy, though I will say impact with the Immanis is noticeably weaker compared to the VM-1a, along with most of my solid-state speaker...

In addition, here is the rest of the chain: DAC - T+A 200 Source - Custom Server/Streamer Software - Roon + Foobar2000 Playback mode - Native DSD Files - locally stored DSD256 .diff/.dsf

Not even close to the Pass amp (though it must be said the Pass amp was designed largely to sound like a tube amp without tubes). Overall, the immanis sounded very thin with disjointed staging on the EF1000. I noticed the same thing with LCD-5s. It just isn't a good pairing.

This is SO true haha... I don't think most will understand, but I did my best to describe it. The short answer to your question is...I highly doubt you'll miss it based on all the other attributes in play.

2 amps: - Pass Labs X250.5 (which is a good notch or so below the VM-1a, which just left for repairs) + TI-1b + Immanis. - Hifiman EF1000 (best amp I have ever personally heard with Susvara) + Susvara - I tried the Susvaras with the X250.5 using a custom headphone transformer, but the EF1000...

A friend of mine lugged over his Susvaras this morning for a direct comparison with the Immanis. Ribbon vs planar preferences aside, pretty much the only thing Susvaras seem to do better is "brain denting" or spatial image impact. For the uninitiated, some notes can provide illusionary impacts...

Can't really comment on value as it is even more personal and subjective than audio.

I find that a bit odd, but opinions are just that. I would say that if you enjoy a very large, incredibly dynamic, impactful, well-extended and more "live-ish" presentation...the immanis are an outstanding choice, particularly if you enjoy the ribbon sound. Then it seems you'll get a fair shot...

No, sir, but very good to know about the new big pappa Solaja. How in the hell did no one get a listen on that?!? I vaguely remember reading some folks talking about an amp built specifically for ribbon headphones based on Kevin Gilmore's circuit design. Guess it never came to fruition. That...

Probably the best purpose-built amp for ribbons available (until the new 300B amp is released...but we'll see). The only other amps I've tried that get anywhere close are legit 2-channel speaker amps. I do wonder about the uberamp though. Did that thing ever come to fruition?

Correct, direct drive for ribbon HPs. No transformer needed. Entirely subjective and it's difficult to say with any real certainty. I originally demoed the Immanis on an Envy using the transformer and found it incredibly smooth. The VM-1a definitely has more "balls" and visceral impact though...

Yes, along with all other RAAL headphones and most dynamics and planars.