I like the RAAL SR1a (earphone) more than the RAAL CA-1a (headphone). The CA-1a is like 'normal' headphones. I am not a fan of normal headphones, except the CA-1a. The sound of that is exceptional inspite of it being a headphone.
RAAL 1995 headphones, Magna and Immanis
RAAL 1995 headphones, Magna and Immanis | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org
These phones are a circumoral design like my current RAAL CA-1a phones (not like the RAAL SR1a/SR1b). I may sell the CA-1a when I upgrade to 1 of the 2 new RAALs.
I re-purchased the RAAL VM-1a 2 weeks ago in anticipation of these new phones. Though my Schitt Mjolnir and Schitt Aegir stack are about 70% as good as the VM-1a. I used to say 90% as good with my old VM-1a. With the second VM-1a (same as the first) I am using a different tube (1 of 6) and that sounds even better than the OEM tube.
Tube change: New Old Stock (1960) General Electric 6SN7
RAAL 1995 will, at first, focus to headphones and later to loudspeakers, with aim to push the limits of True-Ribbon technology in different applications.
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As I have posted on Head-Fi, my problem with conventional cupped or IEM phones is not being able to fully suspend the disbelief that I am listening to music from two small cups where most of the tiny sound is inside my head. Yes, there are some tricks used by headphone manufacturers to make the sound appear to surround your head but I would posit that if you were blindfolded and asked to identify the source of sound, you would correctly identify the sound coming either from loudspeakers or headphones every time, ignoring the feeling of having the phones on your head. So the issue is trying to reproduce the spatial and surface loudness aspects of listening to live music in a recording space, which IMO conventional cupped headphones cannot do correctly, even the best ones at that. So the phones that best approximate the sound of live music in a performing space are the RAAL SR-1a/b nearfield ear monitors. No, they don't do this perfectly but they are the closest I have heard in this aspect. So any cupped phone or IEM, at least at this time, are seriously deficient in this aspect. |
This is exactly why i disliked headphones... I am curious about the Raal... I already own a clever designed headphone simulating with recording in great hall or church as in classical an "out of the head" soundstage and deep natural bass as with speakers and completely natural timbre better than most speakers : AKG K340... Dont buy them if you are not ready for a deep investigation and mods journey .... It takes me 6 months to figure out how to modify them to work optimally 😁...They aged too and out of the box they do not compare to my own K340 now modified and optimized... They were the only real hybrid ever designed ...not a dynamic cell with a mere supertweeter like the Dharma... The Raal may be a way more interesting but way more costlier option though... I wish i had the money...😊 Reading all the good reviews i will de desesperate if i did not own the K340... I wait and someday i will compare ... But is the Raal are able to gave a bass experience you may feel with your feet by bones resonance as with the bassier tone of a great organ in a church ? I doubt it ...The K340 do it ...
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@rlawry I believe you are in close by to Ventura. If so, next week I am going down to Ventura to have a listen to the Magna and Immanis. I will likely take my VM-1a which has 1 tube different from stock. Join me if you are interested. I want to do this quickly, even though I am not buying in the short term. I believe Danny will not have any in stock other than these 2 and they likely are going out to reviewers and Mitch at AccurateSounds.ca What I am reading from people that have heard these is that the Immanis resembles the soundstage of the SR1a/SR1b but sound even better.
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My friend Danny over at RAAL said that I can get the Magna and Immanis for a 24 to 48 hour window to listen. After that they are going to The Absolute Sound for review. I have a whole bunch of gear ready to play them on. I am looking for some advice or help on how to use the XLR1 headphone output on the Holo Serene preamp. If anyone knows, can you tell me what cable to use on the XLR1 output. I have asked Tim at Kitsune but no response yet. I think the Immanis, with its lower power requirements, may be good with the Holo Serene. I of course have the RAAL VM-1a tube headphone amp so that will be what all other gear will be matched against. I will be using the TI-1b interface box with the gear such as the Holo preamp.
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I've been using the SR-1b for a while and now have the CA-1a. They are my favorite headphones by far. I do enjoy others from Audeze and Meze and Sennheiser but somehow the Raal models feel more like the real music experience to me. I don't want to spend more on new headphones but I'm having a hard time not being tempted by at least one of these new models. |
I sold my SR1a and will likely sell the CA-1a. I use them with the RAAL VM-1a tube amp and Star8 cable. So, I have an excellent setup. I took my gear down to Ventura, CA to the RAAL office and heard both the Magna and Immanis. From my limited experience with headphones, it was easily the very best phones I have ever heard. The Immanis was my preference, but both are great. On Head-fi.com there are some very interesting comparisons with the TOTL phones. So far in the limited feedback, the Immanis seems to be coming out as the favorite. I am actively looking for a second job, and one reason is to buy the Immanis. I say this as someone who loves the SR1a and CA-1a. Good thing since it will take me some time to get the funds. |
Reviews are starting to come in. RAAL 1995 Magna & Immanis review | Darko.Audio
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Test RAAL 1995 IMMANIS - Musicalhead
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(10) RAAL 1995 Immanis - Reviews | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org This is an incredibly detailed review. Comparisons are made against all the current TOTL phones, including the $60k Sennheiser HE1. Sennheiser HE-1 Review: $59,000 Summit – In-Ear Fidelity (crinacle.com)
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