[astrostar59]

I can say Pass HPA-1 is a wonderful piece of audio hardware. I had a loaner for several weeks and even though I haven't heard it with Utopias, it should be a great match. Informative character of these cans should go really nicely with it.

I was looking at this amp as well. The thing that put me off is to only has SE output for the phones, and I find balanced tends to sound better. It certainly does on my V281.

 

[project86]

Balanced is definitely better on V281 (and plenty of other amps) but that's due to their topology. Others, such as the Auralic Taurus mkII, sound slightly different but overall pretty evenly matched no matter which output you choose.

The Pass amp is a single-ended design so you are getting the most out of it already. Adding a balanced jack for "convenience" like Woo Audio sometimes does would not bring any improvement, so why bother?

But I will say some DACs do best via their XLR outputs, and so the Pass would in fact be at a disadvantage in those situations. But still, it's a wonderful amp.

 

[gordec]

The Susvara is exceptional at keeping a 5 year old sitting still. Great as stocking stuffers.

 

[astrostar59]

The Susvara is exceptional at keeping a 5 year old sitting still. Great as stocking stuffers.

That is cool, get the kids interested! Did he find it too loud, those 'new' ears LOL.

 

[gordec]

That is cool, get the kids interested! Did he find it too loud, those 'new' ears LOL.

I actually don’t let kids into my office. He woke up early today and found me in my office. If he starts to get interested, I may get him his own. You don’t need Susvara to listen to Terminater soundtrack.

 

[project86]

My kids have always enjoyed quality headphones, particularly when they were little. They were drawn to my wood headphones for some reason...

 

[Matez]

Balanced is definitely better on V281 (and plenty of other amps) but that's due to their topology. Others, such as the Auralic Taurus mkII, sound slightly different but overall pretty evenly matched no matter which output you choose.

The Pass amp is a single-ended design so you are getting the most out of it already. Adding a balanced jack for "convenience" like Woo Audio sometimes does would not bring any improvement, so why bother?

But I will say some DACs do best via their XLR outputs, and so the Pass would in fact be at a disadvantage in those situations. But still, it's a wonderful amp.

Exactly. If I know that in a given device XLRs are added just for convenience, I won't use them if I can go SE.

 

[gordec]

Has anyone explored aftermarket earpads for Susvara? The stock is fine just maybe a few mm too thin. Sometimes the driver touches my ear.

 

[seaice]

Has anyone explored aftermarket earpads for Susvara? The stock is fine just maybe a few mm too thin. Sometimes the driver touches my ear.

The following earpads should be compatible: https://dekoniaudio.com/product-category/brands/hifiman/susvara/
But I do not know the exact dimensions and I have no personal experience.

 

[rgs9200m]

Careful, you're introducing your kids to an expensive habit...
(Of course, there are far worse habits they could get into, so this may not be a bad thing. Nothing like wholesome pastimes like high-end audio.)

 

[QueueCumber]

Careful, you're introducing your kids to an expensive habit...
(Of course, there are far worse habits they could get into, so this may not be a bad thing. Nothing like wholesome pastimes like high-end audio.)

True, like sports cars and haute horology. Those two hobbies kill. Once they start down those roads, it’s the beginning of the end.

 

[rgs9200m]

I had to look up "horology."
Thanks. I always learn something new on head-fi.

 

[JeffMann]

Has anyone tried to use a Benchmark HPA4 headphone amplifier to drive the Susvara? I am interested in knowing whether it has the "power" to optimally drive the Susvara headphone considering the fact that it only outputs 2W at 60ohm?

M Siau (of Benchmark) claims that the HPA4 can "beautifully" drive the Susvara - see post #161 in this thread - https://www.head-fi.org/threads/benchmark-hpa4-headphone-line-amplifier-impressions.876705/page-11

Jeff.

 

[lunarhjs]

Although a Susvara 2 is likely within the horizon in a year time, do y'all think Hifiman will soon integrate wifi capabilities into their higher grade tech due to the increasing improvement of wireless capabilities?

 

[QueueCumber]

Although a Susvara 2 is likely within the horizon in a year time, do y'all think Hifiman will soon integrate wifi capabilities into their higher grade tech due to the increasing improvement of wireless capabilities?

I doubt it because of the eccentric belief among audiophytes that it will decrease the sound quality. Likewise, if they did it would probably raise the price stratospherically.