Best sounding headphones you have owned?

I also had VM-1a + RAAL SR1a + Lumin X1 = fantastic.

I sold the VM-1a + Lumin X1 to buy speakers and a 2-channel amp.

Today, to run my RAAL SR1a, I use the following:

RAAL TL-1b amp interface box | Schitt Mjolnir amp | Schitt Aegir amp

This gets me to about 90% of the VM-1a. This weekend someone is going to bring a VM-1a to my place to do a head-to-head with the following (for the SR1a):

• CODA #16 | Holo Serene preamp | Benchmark DAC3B
• Peachtree GAN1 (modded) testing with the RAAL CA-1a phones and not SR1a. Complicated explanation as to why.
• Schitt Mjolnir preamp | Schitt Aegir | Schitt Yggi+ LIM
• Schitt Mjolnir preamp | Benchmark AHB2 | Schitt Yggi+ LIM

vs

the VM-1a.

The VM-1a should win but that CODA setup code steal the win. I have a feeling I will buy the VM-1a the guy brings over. My Schitt YGGI+ LIM DAC has 3 outputs so it will be easy to add the VM-1a to my office setup (which uses 2 outputs already).

BTW - I am going to be selling my RAAL CA-1a soon.

soundqcar   yyzsantabarbara

I just read a review about the Raal: timbre, bass, highs, imaging and soundstage everything as usual...

The reviewer mention anything save the only thing that matter to me...

For classical recording because i listen  them most, Is the soundfield or soundstage of the Raal stay in the head ? Or have you the impression to be projected in the recording acoustic as if you were there... Or have you the impression that the recorded atmosphetre fill your room and do you keep the eyes open to see the instruments?

All headphones soundfield soundstage stay in the head, i want one with a soundstage "out of my head" ? I want to have the impression to listen to speakers with deep bass ?

Is the RAAL able to deliver that?

In my experience, in my system....it will give you what is on the recording. If it's a closely miked recording, it will be upfront and personal...yet still in front and away from the circumference of your physical head. With recordings that show the depth, and breadth of the performance, you get it all.....and with exquisite detail.

Also, I want to add something here....I know some dismiss the bass on these as unsatisfactory. Unless it's ones goal to overemphasize the low end above what's on the recording, and rattle ones fillings, this headphone does bass RIGHT. You can easily....and even eerily, hear the pitch changes on instruments such as an upright bass, a cello....and details of drum kits you'd only hear from properly setup system, in a well-treated dedicated room.

This is what I hear.

Let me first say I am not a huge fan of headphones because I dislike the in your head soundstage. However, I love the RAAL SR1a because it does not sound like headphones. The only traditional headphone that I liked was the RAAL CA-1a. It is saved by the RAAL ribbon. Otherwise, the sound is pretty much in your head. I am selling the CA-1a to raise some cash not because I do not listen to it.

The SR1a is unlike traditional headphones. That is why they are called earphones. It is like having a 2-channel speaker hanging next to your ear. You end up looking like Princess Leia with the SR1a on your head.

A lot of folks who use the SR1a use it for Classical music because the sound stage is projected out of the headspace, and you can visualize the source of the instruments in a similar way as 2-channel.

I know people who have contacted me saying they sold their Magico speakers and went all in with the SR1a. I can see that. No 2-channel speaker I had owned in the past could beat my SR1a at 2-CHANNEL. That is until I got the Yamaha NS5000 speakers with a CODA #16 amp. That beats the best setup of the SR1a I have had. It is not easy to beat the SR1a even with 2-channel gear. With headphones, for my ears, it is not even a contest.

Best place to learn about the RAAL. Alex and Danny from RAAL and Requiste Audio help out with questions.

Raal Ribbon Headphones - SRH1A | Page 483 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

yyzsantabarbara soundqcar

Thanks...

Your impressions help me a lot to understand ...

I dislike headphone...

The only one i enjoy is my modified AKG K340 with which i had all characteristics i dream of...

My question was motivated by the fact that my AKG K340 is old ...

If i lost it tomorrow i buy what ?

My soundfield is out of the head speaker like and any other characteristics is there too...

What can i do if i lost it ?

i am afraid to buy anything else , but your two impressions  give me the assurance that i could buy something rivallling my experience ...

Thanks a lot...

you described what i did not read in other reviews so clearly ... The Raal is my only other headphone solution....