Hopefully, I'm not the only person who prefers to fit my SR1A headphones (very) close to my ear canals, with the metal cage at zero degrees (that is, prefer the metal cages pressing flat against the earlobes) -- Get more deep bass (due to the proximity effect), while IMO still getting the great...

My first Hypex Ncore amps were DIY kits, the NC400 modules (400wpc) and SMPS600 power supply modules, purchased direct from Hypex at https://www.diyclassd.com. Recently I bought a NC500-based Hypex Ncore amp (dual-mono 500wpc) from eBay - this amp works fine & I'm very pleased with the sound...

Yes, I have an M-scaler which is now considered indispensable, IMO. It's because the finest headphones in the world benefit from the very best digital-to-audio DSP (Evidently, only the M-scaler implements a sync function to better than 16-bit accuracy). See my earlier posts in this thread.

Simply stated, no headphone I've ever heard sounds as real.

Comment about the Imaging ability of the SR1a headphones: Great sound staging. The ability my Raal SR1a ribbon headphones to place the sound source is {IMO} amazing - even can hear sound apparently coming from the rear, that is, seems to be convincingly located behind me -- while using my...

Alex, your successful application of acoustic materials is impressive. However, I wonder if the layer of polyurethane foam can deteriorate in a few years? In the past, I've seen foam surrounds in loudspeaker cones weather, and turn into sticky black 'goo' with a molasses-like consistency. Do...

Your post was interesting. For several days I've been wearing the SR1a headphones both with the long pads and with the metal cages touching my earlobes -- perhaps for me anyway, the shape of my head & face allows the headphones to fit (very) comfortably -- It initially took a bit of fiddling...

Good idea. Agree that the SR1a sounds even better when positioned closer to the ear canal - It's a bit surprising that, for me, the imaging is not compromised, although (I understand) other people may not agree, Have you found that removing the long cylindrical pads decreases your wearing comfort?

I agree. You're right, DPDT would not be good for users (too confusing). I'll wait & see what ideas you and Danny come up with. Maybe for now I'll just snip a couple of wires and listen.

Right now, I'm using Hypex Ncore 2x400wpc amp (based on Hypex Ncore NC400 modules). This amp is neutral & suits the Raal SR1a perfectly, IMO. BTW, I just received a 'new' Hypex Ncore 2x500wpc amplifier from an eBay seller. It's fully dual-mono (uses NC500_OEM amp modules). Before trying...

Currently listening to Bach - The Well Tempered Clavier Book 1 & 2 ('recording of the Century'), Sviatoslav Richter, piano, RCA Victor). BTW, if had to choose, my favorite decade for classic 'rock n roll' is the 1950's - maybe can add most of the 1960s to the mix as well.

In addition DSP PRIR calibration, I'm looking forward to having the additional A16 optional headphone EQ capabilities - tame those bight recordings, or suit the frequency response to personal hearing/preferences.

Did many auditions of TOTL candidates. After much deliberation, decided to get the RAAL Requisite SR1a ribbon headphones - received them on 22 Feb. Looks like I made the right choice - they are the most real-sounding headphones I've ever heard.

I thought about getting a Hugo TT2, but already have a Qutest, so I decided to get a Hugo M-scaler instead. Also, the street price of an M-scaler might be a little less that a Hugo TT2.

In addition to DPST toggle switches also have some DPDT toggle switches. As I recall, DPDT is a "center off" switch -- like two separate SPDT switches operated by the same bat-lever. A single DTDP switch can give the listener a choice of three de-emphasis options: the DPDT switch...

Thanks for the great idea for adding extra de-emphasis/EQ. Like the idea of using toggle switches. However, perhaps using one DPST On-Off toggle switch should be OK (use only one switch to turn the added de-emphasis on or off). Question about mod of the SR1a amplifier interface box: Would...

I hesitated & almost missed this pre-order A16 deal - lucky to have gotten in on 25 Dec 2016. Anyway looking forward to using the A16 with my Raal Requisite SR1a ribbon headphones which are totally open 'ear-speakers' -- hope the A16 will do the calibration & generate the PRIR measurement file...

Yes, when we get finally our Smyth -Realiser A16s, some of us may want to engage the whole body {"kick ass"} with A16 + combo of actuators and a subwoofer as well - or in my case, the subwoofer by itself. IMO, gotta have a big high-power output (below say, 30Hz) sub. Assuming that your...

. I'm also using EQ - apparently boosting the bass a bit and reducing the trebles (IMO conservatively); this seems to subjectively improve the midrange. Agree that the burn-in phenomena seems quite real! I use an EQ (now nearly always; current EQ graph attached), and hope my brain can...

Alex, agree that active EQ is better - I like using Redscape computer program - can create, and rapidly select stored EQ settings on the fly - Good for YouTube stuff. However, there are self-contained multi-band equalizers on the market (guess that goes without saying). However, I have...

Appreciate Zhanming057's review. As an owner of the SR1A, I can see where he is coming from. I feel that this is a definitely an audiophile - not so much a commercial - headphone --- I will attempt to explain as follows. If DIY mods of the 5.6 ohm adapter box were allowed without voiding...

After listening with various EQ settings some more, gotta admit: perhaps 'the jury is still out'. Not sure yet, but your {Alex's} suggested 5-10kHz square--hole EQ just might subjectively offer a bit more transparency - sorry, so far, it's difficult for me to decide on a universal EQ setting...

Alex, I'm currently trying your suggested EQ setting {5-10kHz square-looking hole}. Picture of EQ graph attached (sorry, EQ setting could be better, but I ran out of time and patience). Initial impression is that it sounds OK, but at this time, IMO, this EQ doesn't seem better than my...

Alex, thanks for the suggestion -- I'll give it a try.

I understand that a few Head-Fi members have taken delivery of their new Raal SR1A headphones - but haven't seen initial impressions from them yet. If they are like me, there could be a hesitation to post; I guess it's because this headphone seems so very different compared to any other...