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.

yyzsantabarbara

Showing 16 responses by yyzsantabarbara

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. 

 

 

The RAAL 1995 headphones are still very new and this probably was one of the very first shows to have these available for auditioning. If you like the “old” Raal SR-1b headphone and the ribbon sound, then the RAAL 1995 Immanis with its triple drivers will blow you away. It’s a very high-end headphone with a corresponding price tag (around $10k) but when properly driven, it simply is one of the very best headphones on the market (ever).

The speed, spaciousness, positioning, resolution, transients and so on, everything is simply superb. If you have big pockets and just want the best of the best, look no further. The Immanis is the headphone for you, a true end-game setup.

@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.

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.

 

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. 

 

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

If you question why nobody else offers over-ear ribbons if they are this spectacular, you’re not alone. I wondered, too. Here’s what I know. Aleksandar will celebrate his 30th business anniversary next year. He’s done ribbons from the very beginning. Yet Magna & Immanis still took him 29 years to launch whilst his OEM ribbon tweeters found stellar accolades in premium loudspeakers around the world. That’s the learning curve. 

 

Test RAAL 1995 IMMANIS - Musicalhead

The best headphones in the world?

The new RAAL 1995 IMMANIS is without a doubt the best headphones I have been able to listen to to this day and raises the playback via ear speakers to a completely new level from my point of view. As a result, after a remarkable 7 years of permanent reign, the HIFIMAN SUSVARA vacates the throne in my TOP10 on Musicalhead, handing over the audiophile scepter to the new Serbian World Champion.

I sent my Schitt Yggi+ OG to the above show to get some impressions.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/colorado-head-fi-meet-impressions-december-7-2024.975102/post-18471653

Another Head-Fi’er, @yyzSB, sent his Schiit Audio Yggdrasil+ OG DAC with Danny, and I got a chance to listen to it not only driving my Immanis through my Zahl HM1 and VM-1a, but also through Danny’s Feliks Audio Envy. It has great tonal density—more than my Dave. And it does bass drum better than I think I’ve ever heard. Not only with the impact of the drum strikes, but the hollow reverb (I mean hollow in a good way here) of the sound of that strike bouncing around inside the drum. Timbre across the rest of the FR, and technicalities, were a touch behind my Dave, with the Yggi+ sounding a hair more digital. But the Yggi+ is also much less expensive and offers insane SQ per $.