You will always get a better bass slam/PRAT from a hybrid amplifier (Riviera) but the holographic representation (3D effect) will be slightly inferior comparing to a very good tube amplifier (Envy, Cayin, you name it). It was obvious to me within a few seconds, having listened to both and beyond.

Thanks for the warning, that is a shame, hopefully my SE 274B last longer than that, if not, I might switch to Linlai Global for this rectifier (already got their drivers).

Worth getting the best tubes you can afford (as others just mentioned above), it will instantly pay off with a more immersive/believable sonic presentation, it is also worth having a choice. You can't go wrong with Sophia Electric Royal Princess 300B and the blue glass 6SN7 (make sure you select...

I would agree, WA33 is a bit underrated recently. I listened to it with both 1266 and Susvaras, the sound was perfectly balanced from the bottom to top with a vast soundstage being very well organized, nothing was missing from the picture. With 1266 there was absolutely nothing wrong with the...

Not sure how they compare sonically against the EML product, but Sophia Electric also offers mesh 300B 2.5V: https://sophiaelectric.com/products/sophia-electric-300b-2-5v-mesh-plate-tubes-for-2a3-amplifiers I believe the 2A3 are more dynamic than 300B (being softer), and that is why people may...

Depending on your headphones, i liked the Songolo over the stock Envy (with Elrogs and Psvane) , at least with Audio Technica, more magic to the sound :) I can imagine it can be a completely different perseption with something like Susvara, that Songolo couldn't cope with (power wise) but Utopia...

My friend went the opposite way, from Envy (with Elrogs) to WA33. He has 1266 and Susvara, if that helps. I liked the Envy, it is a good amp for the price, but you can get better with easier to drive headphones.

When I tried CA-1a/SR1a I liked them slightly more utilizing the direct connection from HSA-1b over AIC via the box but I guess that for any other headphones the AIC starts showing its sonic advantage, besides, it looks nice.

If you listen mostly to synthesized music, then possibly you can get occasionally frequencies above 16kHz. When it comes to a real life music/acoustic instruments, only pipe organs get as high as 16kHz, but nothing above or at the discussed 20kHz, so for people who mainly listen to...

The 2022 has got much more bass or the bass is more pronounced (too much for my taste as it slightly reduces mids clarity) and noticeable rolled off the high frequencies making it a very safe choice, especially for certain music, if this is the type of sound (darker) one is after. I believe the...

If you value transparency and resolution that much, then go for the original Utopias (if still available) instead the 2022 model that is worse in those aspects than its predecessor.

It could be the pairing (especially on the McIntosh side), very surprised with your Utopia 22 experience above, to me they show noticeable high frequencies roll off (above 5kHz) and overemphasized low end sometimes covering the mids. Would never ever guessed there will be any sibilance from...

I think that what is confusing some people here is that the incorrect statement (about 'dynamics') is answered with another also missing the point explanation (OL). The micro/macro dynamics in the music when listen via our stereo system, depend greatly on the amplifier 'responsiveness' to the...

I have had a listen on the Bravura combo today. Not sure if my expectations were too high or what, after reading this thread but i was more disappointed than impressed. They don't sound like a typical stats and isn't a compliment, the whole signature is rather dark, with pronounced but...

It seems to be a very capable amp and great addition for professional reviewers, having said that, don’t think i need that level of ’technical’ performance, i’m mainly after a very convincing holography these days (even if at expense of some ultra detail retrieval) and none of the solid state...

If someone is a hard core Harman's Curve believer and nothing else matters then these are the best headphones in our galaxy, the A800 is very low on that list and probably unlistenable for the Shure owners. lol 1. Shure SRH440 - HC score 95%, 2. HiFi Man Sundara (220 revised earpads) - 93%, 3...

Harman's curve is a good reference point but saying it should be aimed at as a design target is like stating that McDonald's food chain offering (also widely accepted as the Harman's curve = an average hearing preferences) should be replicated by every good restaurant otherwise it's not worth...

I very much liked the L5000 paired with Brainwavz XL hybrid round pads, they maintain the overall tonal balance but introduce extra weight to the sound plus a bit more of acoustic freedom (larger chambers) plus the sound definitelly becomes more muscular. I would avoid fully perforated pads (...

I would say that an important difference between your systems (Ciggavelli's and yours) must be associated to a good degree with the very high quality music server (Antipodes K50), which could also be making a noticeable improvement to the signal quality.

I don't think that any moisture that settles within the headphones comes from the room humidity (unless someone literally lives in a jungle) it it mainly (especially in a warmer conditions) the moisture that 'evaporates' from our skin/ear, especially if sitting longer with the headphones on (the...

Both the SRD7 and Woo Wee are sort of low-end energizers, the iFi iESL I would rank above them, but you can also get commissioned an energizer built to a higher spec like with every other amp, this path is worth exploring, especially if you already own a very good speaker amp.

Thanks Rangerid for the comparison. It seems that my approach to music reproduction aligns much more with the Bakoon's presentation.

Like everyone’s else here tbh. The only useful impressions are our own ones.

Yes, they will alter the sound slightly, but out of all the pads I have tried so far these are the closest to being tonally balanced without daviating too much from the stock ones.

See the link: Brainwavz XL