[chrisnyc75]

Definitely a hot take on the Caldera Another one I need to sample. Who knows, I may eventually end up where I started at the end of it all. Got to broaden the palette some more.

HOT TAKES are my specialty. And I'm usually right.

 

[chrisnyc75]

So, it’s early yet, and thus I retain the right to change my mind with more time to analyze & consider, but initial impression is that Susvara is magnificent on 8/10 on Stellaris (2A3 tubes). On 10/10 it’s deafening. Need more time to consider the dynamics, speed, timbre, etc. of Sus on solid state vs tubes, but initial impression is that Stellaris drives it “competently” at worst.

 

[Polygonhell]

but initial impression is that Stellaris drives it “competently” at worst.

My V3 stratus would get it plenty loud for me, but it always sounded OK but constrained to me.

 

[IanB52]

For those with any interest whatsoever in sharing my path of discovery and learning, here's the following:

Lots of recent discussion in the Susvara forum about Feliks Envy (German) and tube amps in general. Well... some quick research uncovered a very interesting recent (Aug. 2023) article about the use of tube amps in the recording studio. And, it's written by the folks at a German Studio!!

Article re Tubes in Recording

Most listeners are totally unaware of just how many tubes they are listening to in most recordings. Some of the ASR-type distortion purists don't realize how much distortion is already in the recordings they listen to, and then assume they are anathema to quality audio. The best microphones are tube, and some of the most sought after hardware as well.

However, much of, and perhaps even more of the coloration in an audio chain comes from transistors, transformers etc. Especially with microphone preamps and mixing consoles like Neve or API, or compressors like the Urei/UA 1176, you are getting very desirable distortion from solid state electronics. In particular Neve 1073 mic preamps add a lot of distortion and coloration that make vocals especially cut through a mix, sounding full and present in the midrange. A tube condenser microphone, Neve 1073, and a tube compressor remain a staple classic sound 50 years later.

 

[jlemaster1957]

I agree. Give it more watts and you will wake up its monster bass. Thats what happened with my arya v2 with the 10 watts burson gt.
And arya v2 its assumed to have less bass than susvara. Even susvara with the 10 watts of class A has a quite impressive bass. But based in what happened to arya, i think susvara can scale more and that means more bass. Susvars is really hard to drive. Of course i mean 10w at 16 ohms which is more or less 6 watts at 60 ohms if im not wrong.

I have been running Susvara from Burson 3XGT as well (correct, 6w at 60 ohms), and it’s good but agree - there is more. The Burson may be part of the picture (as other similar amps) in the role of a pre-amp to a more competent speaker amp (if you dare).

 

[Sand Dan Glokta]

I have been running Susvara from Burson 3XGT as well (correct, 6w at 60 ohms), and it’s good but agree - there is more. The Burson may be part of the picture (as other similar amps) in the role of a pre-amp to a more competent speaker amp (if you dare).

The 3xgt is stunning with my arya v2. I think its one of the best solid state amps with a decent price. but susvara does not scale as much as arya so it means that needs more power. And of course tubes are better but way more expensive. But im going to stay a couple of years with the gt, its funny enough.

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

I agree. Give it more watts and you will wake up its monster bass. Thats what happened with my arya v2 with the 10 watts burson gt.
And arya v2 its assumed to have less bass than susvara. Even susvara with the 10 watts of class A has a quite impressive bass. But based in what happened to arya, i think susvara can scale more and that means more bass. Susvars is really hard to drive. Of course i mean 10w at 16 ohms which is more or less 6 watts at 60 ohms if im not wrong.

10 Watts into 16 Ohms approximates in theory to only 2.66 Watts into 60 Ohms !

 

[Chronos]

What i think its that susvara doesnt emphasize the bass. You get monster bass when its on the music. Other cans are tunned to emphasize low end or mid bass and all the music sounds more bassy but thats what kills the holographic sound.

Agree with this. I own 1266 TC and Sus. Susvara has solid bass that extends deep when driven properly and it does not impede on any other areas of sound, there is no bloat at all. Abyss 1266 TC does not extend as deep but overall quantity of bass is way more emphasized (mostly mid bass).

 

[theveterans]

My V3 stratus would get it plenty loud for me, but it always sounded OK but constrained to me.

Same sentiments with planars from a DNA amps I’ve tried. However, with Focals DNA is a dynamic monster for sure!

 

[Polygonhell]

with Focals DNA is a dynamic monster for sure!

Yes it was very special with the Utopia.

 

[Sand Dan Glokta]

10 Watts into 16 Ohms approximates in theory to only 2.66 Watts into 60 Ohms !

Im not an expert but thats not how it works for sure. Look at burson specs

10W @ 16Ω, SNR 112dB, Channel separation 99%
8W @ 32Ω, SNR 110dB, Channel separation 99%
3.8W @ 100Ω, SNR 111dB, Channel separation 99%
1.3W @ 150Ω, SNR 110dB, Channel separation 99%
640mW @ 300Ω, SNR 109dB, Channel separation 99.5%
Thats what i said 6w more or less

 

[SolarCetacean]

This is why "watts into Ohms" can be a confusing metric. Because Bonesy would be right if the amp provided the same voltage into both 16 Ohms and 60 Ohms. 10W at 16 ohms is roughly 12.65V, and supplying the same 12.65V into 60 Ohms gives you 2.66W. But, many headphone amps start running into current limitations at low impedances, so they can provide more voltage at higher impedances. Hence their power output will be higher than what an iso-voltage calculation would give you.

Taking the Burson specs:
10W @ 16 Ohms = 12.65V, 0.79A into 16 Ohms.
8W @ 32 Ohms = 16V, 0.5A into 32 Ohms
3.8W @ 100 Ohms = 19.5V, 0.195A into 100 Ohms

You can see that at the lower impedances, the Burson provides less voltage, probably because it's running into either current or other circuit limitations that aren't voltage supply.

Another example where power ratings are limited in usefulness is the DCS Bartok, which is quoted at only 1.4W into 32 Ohms, but peak output is actually 2.7W at 60 Ohms from its balanced jack because it runs into its output current limitation at the lower impedances.

 

[DJJEZ]

It's all about current with susvara, power specs don't mean much, that's why amps like the hm1 and 465 drives it insanely amazing yet their power specs are super low

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

This is why "watts into Ohms" can be a confusing metric. Because Bonesy would be right if the amp provided the same voltage into both 16 Ohms and 60 Ohms. 10W at 16 ohms is roughly 12.65V, and supplying the same 12.65V into 60 Ohms gives you 2.66W. But, many headphone amps start running into current limitations at low impedances, so they can provide more voltage at higher impedances. Hence their power output will be higher than what an iso-voltage calculation would give you.

Taking the Burson specs:
10W @ 16 Ohms = 12.65V, 0.79A into 16 Ohms.
8W @ 32 Ohms = 16V, 0.5A into 32 Ohms
3.8W @ 100 Ohms = 19.5V, 0.195A into 100 Ohms

You can see that at the lower impedances, the Burson provides less voltage, probably because it's running into either current or other circuit limitations that aren't voltage supply.

Another example where power ratings are limited in usefulness is the DCS Bartok, which is quoted at only 1.4W into 32 Ohms, but peak output is actually 2.7W at 60 Ohms from its balanced jack because it runs into its output current limitation at the lower impedances.

This is one of the reasons why people have poor performances from their Susvaras when they use a low quality amp and only look at the power output.

The Susvara needs a lot of current for it to shine. And the Amps that can provide such quantities of current are quite expensive (at least in the Headphone world they are !)

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

It's all about current with susvara, power specs don't mean much, that's why amps like the hm1 and 465 drives it insanely amazing yet their power specs are super low

Exactly 100%. Thank you for your post 'DJJEZ'.....music to my ears !