[goldwerger]

I don't think Kerry is attending Chicago. He mentioned LA though.

that's too bad. he was there last year and it was a real blast... @Kerry join us in Chicago?

 

[Audio Addict]

ahh... ok I guess we'll have to check it in Chicago I guess

The electrostatic and dynamic amplifier sections are totally separated but do share a common preamplifier section.

It has a front switch to go between the amplifiers but the volume needs to be turned down. Next to that switch is a gain switch for high / low which applies to both amplifiers. The input is both balanced and single ended to allow for a phono preamp input. As in other RSA amplifiers, he converts the single ended to balanced through a separate circuit. It can drive either 2 electrostatic headphones or 2 dynamic headphones simultaneously. The above switch controls which amplifier is active.

In the power chassis, there are separate power supplies for the electrostatic and dynamic amplifiers. There is a small third supply for the LEDs and relays.

I haven't seen any measurements but even Ray who listens loud to feel the music has met his match. On high gain, I was told it is dead silent when nothing is playing. No one should really try listening at those obscene levels.

I listened for roughly 3 hours one Sunday when visiting him. If it goes into production I will be S/N 001.

On a side note the key electrostatic amplifier components come from a different industry and according to their manufacturer, this is their first use in audio.

I look forward to hearing others' comments after they get to listen at CanJam Chicago.

 

[goldwerger]

The electrostatic and dynamic amplifier sections are totally separated but do share a common preamplifier section.

It has a front switch to go between the amplifiers but the volume needs to be turned down. Next to that switch is a gain switch for high / low which applies to both amplifiers. The input is both balanced and single ended to allow for a phono preamp input. As in other RSA amplifiers, he converts the single ended to balanced through a separate circuit. It can drive either 2 electrostatic headphones or 2 dynamic headphones simultaneously. The above switch controls which amplifier is active.

In the power chassis, there are separate power supplies for the electrostatic and dynamic amplifiers. There is a small third supply for the LEDs and relays.

I haven't seen any measurements but even Ray who listens loud to feel the music has met his match. On high gain, I was told it is dead silent when nothing is playing. No one should really try listening at those obscene levels.

I listened for roughly 3 hours one Sunday when visiting him. If it goes into production I will be S/N 001.

On a side note the key electrostatic amplifier components come from a different industry and according to their manufacturer, this is their first use in audio.

I look forward to hearing others' comments after they get to listen at CanJam Chicago.

Very cool. And not too many double duty estat/dynamic amps out there.

I like the double headphone per each feature, which is nice (though imho I'd get read of separate L/R headphone out ports and just do another 4-pin XLR)

will be interesting to hear it.. added to my to-do list for CanJam!! thanks for sharing this exciting info

 

[Nomax]

I did love the Grand Cayman and Shangri-la Jr setup as I have heard the HE-1’s before (and going to listen again in Chicago). Just a shame you can’t use another amp to hear the HE-1’s as the amp is inside the cups but damn is it so good.

But our drink from Austria it is also still delicious



NOMAX

PS.lol

 

[rickles]

The electrostatic and dynamic amplifier sections are totally separated but do share a common preamplifier section.

It has a front switch to go between the amplifiers but the volume needs to be turned down. Next to that switch is a gain switch for high / low which applies to both amplifiers. The input is both balanced and single ended to allow for a phono preamp input. As in other RSA amplifiers, he converts the single ended to balanced through a separate circuit. It can drive either 2 electrostatic headphones or 2 dynamic headphones simultaneously. The above switch controls which amplifier is active.

In the power chassis, there are separate power supplies for the electrostatic and dynamic amplifiers. There is a small third supply for the LEDs and relays.

I haven't seen any measurements but even Ray who listens loud to feel the music has met his match. On high gain, I was told it is dead silent when nothing is playing. No one should really try listening at those obscene levels.

I listened for roughly 3 hours one Sunday when visiting him. If it goes into production I will be S/N 001.

On a side note the key electrostatic amplifier components come from a different industry and according to their manufacturer, this is their first use in audio.

I look forward to hearing others' comments after they get to listen at CanJam Chicago.

Very cool stuff. I'm a bit suspicious of "combined" amplifiers, but in the same way I'd love to hear this. Ray Samuels has built some neat stuff over the years, and I had thought he had gotten off the saddle. Great to see he's still building!

 

[Casey’sToneQuest]

Can’t wait to see coverage of this! I was almost able to make it this year

 

[Python002]

Anyone going to be doing ear impressions at the show?

 

[Zachik]

Anyone going to be doing ear impressions at the show?

In every CanJam - several companies would do ear impressions.
But realistically, you need ear impressions done by the company you'd like to order your custom IEMs from...

 

[ericpalonen]

Sweet! Is there going to be a sign up for it? I heard that is what you go to do in Canjam NY.

Indeed! We will have a signup sheet at the booth so we can bring in one small group at a time for listening sessions. At CanJam NYC we were only able to show HE 1 on a single day, however this time around we'll have 2 full days of HE 1, and so we will accommodate smaller groups for more listening time. For reference, CJNYC was 5 to 6 listeners for about 30 mins and we had to traverse through the hotel, which ate into some potential listening time. This time around we'll be on the same floor as the exhibit and will try and shrink the group size to 3

Oh, and we'll have a CanJam Chicago raffle for this very 75th anniversary edition HD 800S (champagne finish) I have with me. We have done a handful of dealer demos with it but ultimately decided that it needs a new home in this community, specifically. Details to come. We can't wait to see everyone there

 

[Saberpunch]

Indeed! We will have a signup sheet at the booth so we can bring in one small group at a time for listening sessions. At CanJam NYC we were only able to show HE 1 on a single day, however this time around we'll have 2 full days of HE 1, and so we will accommodate smaller groups for more listening time. For reference, CJNYC was 5 to 6 listeners for about 30 mins and we had to traverse through the hotel, which ate into some potential listening time. This time around we'll be on the same floor as the exhibit and will try and shrink the group size to 3

Oh, and we'll have a CanJam Chicago raffle for this very 75th anniversary edition HD 800S (champagne finish) I have with me. We have done a handful of dealer demos with it but ultimately decided that it needs a new home in this community, specifically. Details to come. We can't wait to see everyone there

​

That sounds amazing! Sennheiser booth will easily be my most visited spot. Regarding sign-up, since it's 2 days can you sign up twice (1 session for each day), or do I gotta buy a fake mustache and go by another persona?

 

[ericpalonen]

That sounds amazing! Sennheiser booth will easily be my most visited spot. Regarding sign-up, since it's 2 days can you sign up twice (1 session for each day), or do I gotta buy a fake mustache and go by another persona?

LOL! The ol' banana eyeglass trick won't fool us this time haha

Please keep it to 1 session per user so others have a chance to listen, and if at the end there are some openings or no-shows, jump right back in. It's not that we don't want you to listen more, but want to share as much as we can in the limited time we have.

 

[rickles]

Really loving these 75th anniversary HD800s! This is great stuff @ericpalonen!

 

[wazzupi]

Gonna definitely hang out quite a bit in the mimic audio room xD can't wait, a month away !

 

[BarefootDyl]

I have had a thought: if we're getting the HE-1 this year, is there a chance that Hifiman would be swinging thru with the Shang-Ri La Sr? Would be nice to have two mindbending experiences

 

[goldwerger]

@third_eye any chance the new iFi iCAN Phantom will be available for demo in Chicago?