RSA SR71b, quad mono balanced. img. 1 & 17 Review pg 32, 34, 68, UPDATED 4/2013 for Improved sound. - Page 2

I want to salute Ray for his constant and unending effort to invent and innovate.  The merit of the SR71b is of course remain to be seen.  But just looking at his effort from the past two years on the portable front is aaamazing, SR71a, Predator, Mustang, Shadow, Protector and now the SR71b.  Each pushing and expanding the frontier of portable technology for us headfiers (think about it, we are a small group and how many big guys including Apple give us we want).  I am very impressed with his tenacious and perfectionistic mentality.  Although the earlier amps of just a year or so (sr71a, predator, Mustang etc) may now take a second place to the sq of the newer amps, I felt the money I have spent in his products, though outdated relatively fast, have contributed to a journey with Ray in perfecting portable listening and in his quest for better products.  

Nice to see the balanced amp competition is heating up. Understand RSA is running out of airplane names. How much for this one? Sounds expensive. US$800++?

It uses two volume pots, and he makes that out to be a feature...sounds like a pain in the bottom to me, im sure itll be an amazing sounding amp though. i loved my protector

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jalo 

I want to salute Ray for his constant and unending effort to invent and innovate.  The merit of the SR71b is of course remain to be seen.  But just looking at his effort from the past two years on the portable front is aaamazing, SR71a, Predator, Mustang, Shadow, Protector and now the SR71b.  Each pushing and expanding the frontier of portable technology for us headfiers (think about it, we are a small group and how many big guys including Apple give us we want).  I am very impressed with his tenacious and perfectionistic mentality.  Although the earlier amps of just a year or so (sr71a, predator, Mustang etc) may now take a second place to the sq of the newer amps, I felt the money I have spent in his products, though outdated relatively fast, have contributed to a journey with Ray in perfecting portable listening and in his quest for better products.  

I still have the Tomahawk which to me is the ideal portable amp, holding its own with the Hornet and using inexpensive AAA batteries with extreme longevity between battery replacement.  Plus built like a tank--or maybe a missle??

What the hell!! Looking at the Protector's price of $475, I'm pretty sure this is going to be around $550 or more.. 

Boo!  I just bought a Protector and love it and now there is this on the horizon?  Back to saving...  

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audio-Omega 

 

The website says it will stand toe to toe with the best balanced home amps out there...

Would you honestly expect it to say that it won't? ¬ _¬

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoupRKnowva 

It uses two volume pots, and he makes that out to be a feature...sounds like a pain in the bottom to me,

More like inability to source a tiny quad pot...

^ care to elaborate?

Given the discussion that erupted back in the Protector thread I wonder why not use digital volume control now that he has decided to use 2 anyway.

I can't imagine the frustration that users will experience trying to hand match the volume levels using two tiny knobs.  It also means that while portable, you'll always have to take it out of pocket or wherever to make volume adjustments to make sure that things stay matched.