[iFi audio]

and if i’m going to spend that much on a caldera or susvara, my preferences would be to spend an additional amount on getting a suitable amp and go with the susvaras. In for a penny, in for a pound. But that’s a personal choice - ymmv

I hear you. If you spend $3-6k on cans, it's only natural that you want to hear them at their best

 

[devilboy]

Someone made a comment earlier about a drop in sound quality by using the HE adapter. Since we're kind of on the subject, I'd like to pose this question...

Has anyone heard a drop in sound quality by using a female / male XLR connector in their headphone cable by powering the Susvara off of a speaker amplifier?
I originally wanted to run the Susvara in one continuous cable from my AHB2 but was concerned about possibly damaging the Susvara during the on/off procedures. I had Matt at Forza make me two cables that are connected by an XLR so I can disconnect when powering up or down. I later find out that Benchmark has a mute feature when powering up or down so I could have gotten one continuous cable instead. I really don't like the idea of having a connection in my cable if I don't need one, you know?

 

[ThanatosVI]

I really don't like the idea of having a connection in my cable if I don't need one, you know?

Well if anything the additional connector would either keep the quality or degrade it.
So if you don't like it, go with the ease of mind solution and use the direct cable.

Personally I don't think that the connectors degrade sound quality though

 

[Widell]

I have and do use the HE-Adapter when connected to my AHB2, never noticed any sound degradation at all, in fact it was if it was not even there, this with both with Susvara's and Stealth, no difference. I was actually wondering what it actually does and how it would protect the HP's but as it has been recommended by other headfier's a few thousand posts back I thought I try it, better safe than sorry I thought.

If you hear a drop in sound quality maybe it is a faulty unit or connectors that is the issue, needless to say if it is a noticeable drop in quality then don't use it, then something is wrong.

 

[EMINENT]

Someone made a comment earlier about a drop in sound quality by using the HE adapter. Since we're kind of on the subject, I'd like to pose this question...

Has anyone heard a drop in sound quality by using a female / male XLR connector in their headphone cable by powering the Susvara off of a speaker amplifier?
I originally wanted to run the Susvara in one continuous cable from my AHB2 but was concerned about possibly damaging the Susvara during the on/off procedures. I had Matt at Forza make me two cables that are connected by an XLR so I can disconnect when powering up or down. I later find out that Benchmark has a mute feature when powering up or down so I could have gotten one continuous cable instead. I really don't like the idea of having a connection in my cable if I don't need one, you know?

I couldn't tell a difference. Had HE Adapter first, then got the LQI banana to female XLR and ended up keeping the LQI just for aesthetics.

 

[801evan]

Someone made a comment earlier about a drop in sound quality by using the HE adapter. Since we're kind of on the subject, I'd like to pose this question...

Has anyone heard a drop in sound quality by using a female / male XLR connector in their headphone cable by powering the Susvara off of a speaker amplifier?
I originally wanted to run the Susvara in one continuous cable from my AHB2 but was concerned about possibly damaging the Susvara during the on/off procedures. I had Matt at Forza make me two cables that are connected by an XLR so I can disconnect when powering up or down. I later find out that Benchmark has a mute feature when powering up or down so I could have gotten one continuous cable instead. I really don't like the idea of having a connection in my cable if I don't need one, you know?

Connectors always degrade. A simple test is trying a 6.3 to 3.5 adapter on something like a hugo 2 and hear the difference without the adapter on the 6.3 VS using the adapter. Even on the fanciest Furutech there is a difference. If one doesn't hear it then the signal chain is masked.

 

[devilboy]

Forza cable just came in today so now I can run Susvara directly off of AHB2.
Luminous Axiom II Walker mod preamp doing volume duties. I've been sitting on both pieces for a month. Susvara just came in yesterday.

Here we go...

 

[number1sixerfan]

Just sharing that I compared the Caldera and Susvara in my comparison thread. Bottom line is they are both really amazing and different.

Also, compared the GSX Mini with my two speaker amps (EVO 400 and Hegel H120) and the Eddie Current Studio B. I intended to have a Ferrum stack on hand, but just missed out on one for sale and couldn't find one to borrow. The sole purpose was to try to give some insight around amplification, especially for someone just starting out.

Very short and sweet, in addition to what I mentioned in the thread, much like my previous journey--I enjoyed the Susvara with the Mini the first few days immensely, and then saw a pretty significant jump in performance from the Susvara with my speaker and tube amps. The Mini was sufficient, but left some performance on the table. What stood out most was the timbre and overall weight of the sound. It very noticeably improved, followed by bass performance and openness. That said, for $1000 used to get that kind of sound is a true bargain. Again, very sufficient, but you can certainly expect improvements when upgrading.

Again I wish I had another comparable amp to the Mini on hand, it's not a staple example here, just one of a few options. I think this means a few things. If I were starting out again, I'd skip the Mini or even Ferrum and go straight for a quality used speaker amp. They're intended to drive heavier loads, so once you have a few quality options it's just about synergy and preference matching. You can get very serious TOTL sound out of the Susvara for $5k or less. That has been confirmed for me, etched in my brain at this point.

I think if the Susvara was my only headphone, I'd want a dedicated high end headphone amp, with premium parts--I was looking at the Riviera and Red October before I found a EC Studio B used. There's a certain allure of pairing an absolute TOTL headphone amp with something like the Susvara, although my brain tells me that the right speaker amp will get you right there for much less. But I still may one day.

For newcomers, I wouldn't shy away from the Susvara if you can only consider some of the budget options out there. But I would be open in knowing that you are going to leave some performance on the table and that's ok until you eventually upgrade. It also means you should take your own impressions at the time with a very slight grain of salt, as you may not be experiencing the most the Susvara has to give. But to counter that, I'd also say that the old timers shouldn't be so sensitive when that happens lol. Anyways, hopefully that's helpful to someone, and bummer that I couldn't get the Ferrum on hand.

Lastly, the Susvara is awesome and if I didn't have the SGL Sr., I would've never sold it in the first place. Happy listening.

 

[iFi audio]

Lastly, the Susvara is awesome and if I didn't have the SGL Sr., I would've never sold it in the first place.

I imagine that Shangri-La is a good reason to sell lots of things without regrets

 

[number1sixerfan]

I imagine that Shangri-La is a good reason to sell lots of things without regrets

For sure lol

 

[iFi audio]

For sure lol

For what it's worth, once you buy them again, we'll be waiting here for you

 

[jlbrach]

I sold my first susvara before I realized it was being underpowered and bought it back and I will never sell it again...

 

[BillinSF]

I sold my first susvara before I realized it was being underpowered and bought it back and I will never sell it again...

My first wife said something similar before I discovered Viagra.

 

[jlbrach]

I have an ex wife as well lol

 

[iFi audio]

I sold my first susvara before I realized it was being underpowered and bought it back and I will never sell it again...

Live and learn ?

Ours is a keeper too!