HiFiMan Susvara
Jan 22, 2024 at 7:06 PM Post #23,612 of 27,874
New daily driver amp for the Susvara has arrived today and it is glorious, both to look at and listen to.

I love this thing already.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0459.jpeg
    IMG_0459.jpeg
    1.4 MB · Views: 0
  • IMG_0460.jpeg
    IMG_0460.jpeg
    670.6 KB · Views: 0
Jan 22, 2024 at 9:11 PM Post #23,613 of 27,874
New daily driver amp for the Susvara has arrived today and it is glorious, both to look at and listen to.

I love this thing already.
How does it compare to whatever u had before??
 
Jan 23, 2024 at 12:49 AM Post #23,614 of 27,874
How does it compare to whatever u had before??

Without hardly any burn-in time, it’s still a pretty large marked improvement over the Ferrum Oor. I‘ve also tried using the WA23 as a pre-amp to the Oor. I didn’t spend much time with that combo because I wanted to continue to get familiar with the WA23 by itself. I will come back to that later, as I think there’s some potential there. However, by itself, it is an improvement in just about every way while using the Susvara, so it may just become irrelevant to do so. It does make me eager to eventually get the HM1 to pair those two together.
 
Jan 23, 2024 at 1:21 AM Post #23,615 of 27,874
Without hardly any burn-in time, it’s still a pretty large marked improvement over the Ferrum Oor. I‘ve also tried using the WA23 as a pre-amp to the Oor. I didn’t spend much time with that combo because I wanted to continue to get familiar with the WA23 by itself. I will come back to that later, as I think there’s some potential there. However, by itself, it is an improvement in just about every way while using the Susvara, so it may just become irrelevant to do so. It does make me eager to eventually get the HM1 to pair those two together.
Yep, I upgraded from the OOR to the WA23 and it was a massive improvement in all respects. These are different tiered amps especially when you have a great source behind it. Of all the "uber" expensive amps I've tried this one is probably my favorite. I personally wouldn't pair it with the HM1. HM1 and this amp are phenomenal on their own, but together I didn't quite get the results I expected. Perhaps you may have better luck. However, WA23 as pre to the Riviera AIC-10 is absolutely epic and the best I have heard the Susvara. I reckon you might get better results with upgraded tubes in the WA23, I can vouch for the Takatsukis, they'll make for one of the most sublime audio experiences you'll have, but they are quite expensive.
 
Jan 23, 2024 at 6:21 AM Post #23,616 of 27,874
And the Viva Egoista 845 and the Mass Kobo 465 and the .AC Genus ...
I suspect it wasn't intended to be a complete list.
Tried the Viva Egoista 845 with the Susvara's and Chord DAVE & M Scaler (same digital source as I have) and to my ears the EF1000 is much better sounding.
 
Jan 23, 2024 at 6:23 AM Post #23,617 of 27,874
And the Viva Egoista 845 and the Mass Kobo 465 and the .AC Genus ...
I suspect it wasn't intended to be a complete list.
Want to try the Aries Cerat Genus with my Susvara and directly compare it with my EF1000 both with the Susvara and speakers.
Read in other hifi forums that people who have the Genus linked up to the Aries Cerat Helena DAC say the sound is just amazing !
 
Jan 23, 2024 at 12:34 PM Post #23,619 of 27,874
Thoughts on WA23 vs WA33 for Susvara? Seems like they are nearly identical in pricing, wondering when you would want one over the other
And while folks are at it, I'm wondering why no discussion of Woo WA5-LE? Mike at Woo advised me that amp was their product for Susvara.
 
Jan 23, 2024 at 12:39 PM Post #23,620 of 27,874
And while folks are at it, I'm wondering why no discussion of Woo WA5-LE? Mike at Woo advised me that amp was their product for Susvara.

Warmpoo with poor resolution for a 300B amp. I'd recommend against this and go straight to WA23. An ampsandsound Agartha would run circles with this but ampsandsound are macro-focused amps with great speed with different take on resolution (very smooth and impactful but can get outresolve by WA23 in nuances)
 
Last edited:
Jan 23, 2024 at 1:05 PM Post #23,621 of 27,874
Thoughts on WA23 vs WA33 for Susvara? Seems like they are nearly identical in pricing, wondering when you would want one over the other

The WA23 is said to be a baby WA33 Elite Edition. Regarding the standard edition versus the WA23, I think it’s ultimately going to be up to what you are after. I heard the WA33 for a short period of time at CanJam, but wasn’t particularly impressed by it. I think part of that is that was more reminiscent of a solid state and missing some of that tubey magic that others have more of. Dynamics were fantastic, though. I think it’s close, but I hear the edge in soundstage and detail goes to the WA33, though I can’t say for sure since I didn’t hear them both back to back and on the same chain. Again, this was just with only a little bit of time with it. I think I was listening to the standard edition, too.

WA23 is more tubey in its sound and has more musical engagement I think that’s the primary appeal.
 
Jan 23, 2024 at 1:13 PM Post #23,622 of 27,874
Yep, I upgraded from the OOR to the WA23 and it was a massive improvement in all respects. These are different tiered amps especially when you have a great source behind it. Of all the "uber" expensive amps I've tried this one is probably my favorite. I personally wouldn't pair it with the HM1. HM1 and this amp are phenomenal on their own, but together I didn't quite get the results I expected. Perhaps you may have better luck. However, WA23 as pre to the Riviera AIC-10 is absolutely epic and the best I have heard the Susvara. I reckon you might get better results with upgraded tubes in the WA23, I can vouch for the Takatsukis, they'll make for one of the most sublime audio experiences you'll have, but they are quite expensive.

Honeyboy, thank you for your comments. I will take your recommendations into consideration about pairing (or rather not pairing) the WA23 with the HM1. I will probably try it just because, but I’m guessing, if I am looking for tube presentation, I’ll stick solely to the WA23 and just have the HM1 as my primary solid state.

Also, I will be looking to upgrade the tubes. Tube-rolling specifics are a bit newer to me. What differences/improvements could I expect from the Taks? Do you have experience with the Psvane versus the Takatsukis? I know there’s a large price parity between the two, probably justifiably so, but would love hear more impressions.
 
Jan 23, 2024 at 3:48 PM Post #23,623 of 27,874
Honeyboy, thank you for your comments. I will take your recommendations into consideration about pairing (or rather not pairing) the WA23 with the HM1. I will probably try it just because, but I’m guessing, if I am looking for tube presentation, I’ll stick solely to the WA23 and just have the HM1 as my primary solid state.

Also, I will be looking to upgrade the tubes. Tube-rolling specifics are a bit newer to me. What differences/improvements could I expect from the Taks? Do you have experience with the Psvane versus the Takatsukis? I know there’s a large price parity between the two, probably justifiably so, but would love hear more impressions.
Am not very good at describing nuances of tubes. But I have the Takatsuki’s, Elrog 300B’s and WE300’s, and quite often I put the Tak’s in and find I prefer them to the others. So the long and short of it IMO, is they are up there with the best.
 
Jan 23, 2024 at 4:19 PM Post #23,624 of 27,874
Yep, I upgraded from the OOR to the WA23 and it was a massive improvement in all respects. These are different tiered amps especially when you have a great source behind it. Of all the "uber" expensive amps I've tried this one is probably my favorite. I personally wouldn't pair it with the HM1. HM1 and this amp are phenomenal on their own, but together I didn't quite get the results I expected. Perhaps you may have better luck. However, WA23 as pre to the Riviera AIC-10 is absolutely epic and the best I have heard the Susvara. I reckon you might get better results with upgraded tubes in the WA23, I can vouch for the Takatsukis, they'll make for one of the most sublime audio experiences you'll have, but they are quite expensive.
the 23 as a pre amp to the riviera is nose bleed territory is terms of cost
 
Jan 24, 2024 at 1:47 PM Post #23,625 of 27,874
Heard the Zahl HM-1 with my Susvara this past weekend at the Headspace SoCal meet. Can confirm what @theveterans noted that they go really well together. Interestingly I didn’t like the Zahl on Class A which added too much warmth for me. The Class AB was excellent, this was very clear, detailed, great note weight, dynamic, with some added bass presence. It’s one of the best I’ve heard the Susvara. (I’ve yet to try it with Riviera or WA33 EE)

The Bliss has excellent synergy with Susvara but I agree with @linshu1992 assessment that the Zahl adds more power, note weight, etc than the Bliss

(Keep in mind this was in a noisy meeting environment so YMMV)
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top