Chatting with them in English also works great though. I had many cool conversations with Lukasz in particular.
I compared it with Elrogs, MOs and WE300b. Only popular tube I didnt try was TM. For drivers I had different pairs of short and long bottle Sylvanias, Melz, very rare (and great sounding) D-Getter Brimars, Fivre (highly recommended) and few more. For Immanis and Susvara there was nothing that would remotely come close to what AIC-10 accomplishes in terms of note size and tonal weight. I didnt try 1266 TC with it. For Verite and Atrium Envy is more than enough though, both didnt scale up as much with AIC-10. Caldera scaled better with AIC-10 but its not a night and day difference.
Its not that simple, aside of power that Immanis and Susvara really benefit from, there is a lot of tuning magic in Riviera products, Luca Chiomenti approach to tuning is rather interesting, I suggest to read up on that. The resolution ceiling with certain tubes is another thing to mention, G73-R elevate the amp close to levels I only knew from something like Zähl.
Yea I dont understand why they didn't put the tubes on top like everyone else, makes no sense. Does AIC10 sound good with electronic music as well.
It’s always fascinating to observe how people approach their journey in high-end audio. Every individual has their own set of priorities, preferences, and methods when it comes to building a system that delivers the most enjoyment. Some are drawn to exploring as much gear as possible, constantly looking for new combinations, while others take a more measured approach, settling into a system and fine-tuning it over time. There’s no single right way to engage in this hobby, but the discussions that arise from these differing perspectives can be quite interesting—especially when people’s reasoning and decision-making processes don’t always align as neatly as they might think. One of the most common things seen in high-end audio is the desire to chase the “perfect” synergy. When a new piece of gear enters the chain—especially something as critical as a headphone—many people will go to great lengths to ensure that everything else in their setup complements it. If an amplifier doesn’t provide the expected level of tonal density, weight, or dynamics, it’s completely understandable that someone would start looking at alternatives. And in many cases, this leads to replacing not just the amplifier, but other components as well—sometimes an entirely new DAC, different cables, power conditioners, even isolation feet and racks. These changes can be expensive, but for those who are deeply invested in their pursuit of the best sound possible, they are considered necessary steps. What’s particularly interesting, though, is when someone is willing to go through this whole process—swapping out one expensive amplifier for another, changing DACs, and adjusting every other aspect of the chain—but then hesitates when it comes to something as fundamental as tube rolling. Given how much of an amplifier’s sound can be shaped by its tubes, it’s surprising when someone dismisses the idea of rolling tubes due to cost concerns, especially when they’ve already spent so much making other adjustments to their system. In reality, rolling tubes is often one of the most effective and direct ways to tailor the sound of a tube amplifier to a listener’s preferences.Tubes play a much more active role in defining an amplifier’s sound than many other components in the chain. Changing from one pair of 300B tubes to another can shift the tonal balance, improve dynamics, add or reduce warmth, and enhance detail retrieval. Unlike cables—whose effects are often debated—tube changes bring clear, measurable differences to how an amplifier performs. Yet, despite this, some enthusiasts who are more than happy to spend thousands on a new amplifier or a high-end cable will balk at the idea of spending money on better tubes. It’s an interesting contradiction, especially considering that a good set of tubes can often make a bigger difference than replacing an entire amplifier.Cables are another area where priorities can sometimes seem inconsistent. While there’s no doubt that cables can have an effect on system performance, their impact tends to be more subtle compared to something like tube rolling. Yet, in many cases, people will justify spending thousands on exotic cables while simultaneously dismissing the idea that tubes are worth upgrading. It’s not about saying one approach is right and the other is wrong—just that it’s an interesting example of how people justify their purchases in different ways. Beyond the individual decisions people make about their systems, another recurring theme in this hobby is how certain products gain recognition over time. It’s a phenomenon that happens regularly, where an amplifier, DAC, or headphone might be available for years without much attention, only to suddenly gain a reputation as an “endgame” piece once the price increases or more people start talking about it. The Riviera amplifier is a prime example. When it was priced lower, it was barely discussed, and few people seemed to care about it. But once its price climbed and more people started taking interest, it suddenly became one of the most sought-after amplifiers, with its reputation growing seemingly overnight.This pattern happens time and time again. If a piece of gear is priced too low, many audiophiles simply won’t take it seriously. There’s almost an inherent assumption that more expensive gear must be better, and as a result, some of the best value pieces of equipment often get overlooked. But when a manufacturer raises the price, suddenly the perception shifts, and people begin reevaluating their stance on the product. It’s not that the gear itself changed—it’s that the way people perceive it changed, and that’s one of the most fascinating aspects of this hobby.This dynamic also ties into the emotional investment people have in their purchases. It’s no secret that high-end audio can be expensive, and when people spend large amounts of money on their systems, they naturally want to believe that they made the right decisions. That’s why discussions about gear can become so heated—because for some, it’s not just about discussing sound quality, it’s about defending their choices. No one wants to feel like they overpaid for something, and as a result, people often develop strong biases in favor of the equipment they own. This is why certain pieces of gear get elevated to almost mythical status in some circles, while others get dismissed or ignored despite being just as capable.Ultimately, though, the best approach to this hobby is one of openness and curiosity. There’s no single “right” way to build a system, and what works for one person might not work for another. Some people will always prefer the process of constantly experimenting with new gear, while others will find more enjoyment in fine-tuning a system they already love. What’s most important is that people remain open to different perspectives and avoid falling into the trap of viewing their own preferences as universal truths. At the end of the day, audio is a personal journey. Whether someone prefers to roll tubes, swap amplifiers, or experiment with cables, the only thing that truly matters is finding the sound that brings the most enjoyment. The best discussions in this hobby happen when people share their experiences honestly, without feeling the need to justify every decision or defend their purchases as the only valid choice. High-end audio should be about exploration and enjoyment, not about proving who made the “best” decisions. Because in the end, the gear doesn’t care about our justifications or biases—it just sounds the way it sounds.
we are wild broooooo andthe itchy scratchy dealing with someones opinion kicks in again,
and some things never change i guess
Its a design choice, with kids I really like that the tube is protected and I like the internal design with vertically placed PCBs, its clean. Its definitly not ideal for quick tube swaps though. Depends on what you are looking for. I believe Its exceptional with electronic music, the bass notes are big, very thick, extend deep and hit very hard on Immanis.
As per @simorag ’s review on 6moons, AIC-10 + G73-R is very similar to Primavera (with stock driver tubes). So i guess Primavera can be another option if someone is after that type of tonality. I’m using WE437A as my driver tubes on Primavera, and to my ears it elevates the level of transparency and holography even more and yet it still sounds highly musical and very very sweet. I think at this TOTL level (Envy AE, AIC, Primavera, Audma, RO XL, Zahl, VM-1a, etc.), you can’t really go wrong with either, it’s down to each person’s preference.
Congrats, it’s absolutely stunning!!New member of the headfi family
Great points! Absolutely true, it's now readily available (even more so in europe), it's easily under 10k€ (unless you opt in for a special version and / or tube roll a lot), and there are a lot of impressions to read because it's a lot at shows or dealers, so you can probably hear it yourself. It's price is also fixed and won't fluctuate like with the AIC-10. It's also not extremely big and looks stunning and there are different wood types for you to choose from. If you want to demo it and test it for yourself, you probably will find a way, at least with the Full Music tubes. This won't happen for the AIC-10 and other rare amps, and there will always be that uncertainty and "black magic in a closed box for an insane price"-factor which can easily be a deterrent, but it could also on the other hand have that "mystic" factor of the unknown that draws attention, because the price went up, because it gigantic, because people rave about it, etc.
I own the envy and I am lucky enough to won the immanis,unveiled and 1266....I used to own the OG susvara...the envy drives all of them without issue...I own the CFA3 which has significantly more power and to my ears the envy is better although obviously tubes vs SS....in terms of the envy and the immanis not only does the creator state that the Immanis needs no more than 3 watts but they use the envy to show off the Immanis...I think the VM-1a is best with the immanis but not because it has more power....you clearly need enough power for these difficult to drive HP's but dont be fooled by the talk that enormous power is necessarily better,it isnt
I own the OG Susvara and am lucky enough to own the Envy and Aegis…there is not a lot between them both drive Susvara very well. To my ears of course!
Your ears are the only ones that matter. Can I ask please what tubes you use in your Envy?
