HiFiMan Susvara

[jonchard]

Just got my Susvara early this week and really like it so far, but in some records, like most of Rihanna and Beyonce’s Sweet Dreams, the vocals sound very harsh and piercing which I didn’t hear from my HD800S.

I know my setup is not best for Susvara, I’m running Mac Mini M4-> Bifrost 2/64 -> Burson Soloist 3XP.

Is this how Susvara sounds and it’s the recording that are not great? Or the culprit is amp or dac in my chain?

I have a Holo Bliss KTE on the way and hopefully would hear a smoother sound?

I loved holo may l2 and gustard r26 (cheaper option similar sound) both r2r dacs, smooth but detailed and spacious delivery. A very organic sound.

 

[Lokust]

Just got my Susvara early this week and really like it so far, but in some records, like most of Rihanna and Beyonce’s Sweet Dreams, the vocals sound very harsh and piercing which I didn’t hear from my HD800S.

I know my setup is not best for Susvara, I’m running Mac Mini M4-> Bifrost 2/64 -> Burson Soloist 3XP.

Is this how Susvara sounds and it’s the recording that are not great? Or the culprit is amp or dac in my chain?

I have a Holo Bliss KTE on the way and hopefully would hear a smoother sound?

You're using a "shiity" DAC, no wonder

Nah, so am I, sounds wonderful.

 

[theveterans]

You're using a "shiity" DAC, no wonder

Nah, so am I, sounds wonderful.

All Schiity DACs are more sensitive to sources. I'd even wager keep the Schiity dac and just switch from Mac Mini to Mercury V3 on Coax would resolve OP's issues

 

[andy327]

I tried the bypass mode(power amp) on the soloist 3XP and this pretty much solved the harshness in vocals for me. It lacks a bit in the bass though.

 

[jlemaster1957]

I tried the bypass mode(power amp) on the soloist 3XP and this pretty much solved the harshness in vocals for me. It lacks a bit in the bass though.

Glad that worked out for you. SQ may vary with different pre-amps, there are many good tube pre-amps you could try. Even if you really dig the sound with the Bliss, you could hold onto the 3XP as an alternative, I find rotating my solid state and tube pre-amps helps keeps the ‘hedonic cycle’ in check (tolerance due to habituation of whatever is feeding dopamine to you). As well as rotating headphones and IEMS.

 

[llcook51]

Many users have stated you need "at least 5W into 60 ohms" but this seems to vary with amp topology ie higher current topologies may get away with less overall wattage. High watt amps (like speaker amps) have the advantage to deal with greater power delivery on sudden/momentary wattage requirments for big dynamic swings. As a user of such an amp (Schiit Tyr) I get the sense that I am only "sipping" from the firehose of power that is on tap but that I don't use much 99% of the time. Schiit Mjolnir 3 is reputed to be good for Susvaras, but it's only delivering 2W @ 32 ohms balanced. Optimal SQ is almost certainly more complicated than # watts available at 60 ohms. Something about too much higher order harmonic distortion being a bad thing sonically.

I can attest that the Schiit Mjolnir 3 drives the Susvara with room to spare. Good quality sound.

 

[llcook51]

I paid $4200 for mine circa February 2024, and even then I feel like I probably overpaid a tiny bit. At this point, I probably wouldn't pay more than $4K for "open box", and you can pick one up for considerably less than that pre-owned in the classifieds.

got mine 4 months ago from a fellow Head-fier for $3300. Perfect Condition. Now using it with a Prelude. O-my...Glorious.

 

[markkr]

Thanks for the input, is it just how bifrost sounds with Susvara? Wonder if you tried any work around, I guess you then upgraded your DAC.

The Susvara headphones led me down a deep rabbit hole; they were so revealing that I could hear flaws like never before. As others have mentioned, it's all about the chain and what you like. It's a costly mistake to look for quick fixes without hearing them first. I went from Bifrost 2 > BF 2/64 > Yggy MIB > TT2 > TT2 with M Scaler... it was a very expensive path. Then, adding a Holo Audio Bliss KTE made everything smooth and luscious—this was what I was looking for.

If you can, go to a meet or a shop nearby and listen before shoveling money on gear. Best of luck.

 

[Aetherhole]

The Susvara headphones led me down a deep rabbit hole; they were so revealing that I could hear flaws like never before. As others have mentioned, it's all about the chain and what you like. It's a costly mistake to look for quick fixes without hearing them first. I went from Bifrost 2 > BF 2/64 > Yggy MIB > TT2 > TT2 with M Scaler... it was a very expensive path. Then, adding a Holo Audio Bliss KTE made everything smooth and luscious—this was what I was looking for.

If you can, go to a meet or a shop nearby and listen before shoveling money on gear. Best of luck.

Susvara effectively did the same for me… unfortunately… lol

Once you start hearing differences, its all over!

 

[Bootycall922]

How does Susvara Unveiled Compared to the OG? Is it an upgrade or sidegrade?

 

[Exekuhtor]

How does Susvara Unveiled Compared to the OG? Is it an upgrade or sidegrade?

Check out my semi-review, link in my signature.
TLDR: Sidegrade. Better technicalities & soundstage, way better midrange (vocals), different treble (i prefer it), worse bass and dynamics / punch & slam.
It has the very best vocals of any headphone in the hobby, but the lack of dynamics and the price increase from the OG when Immanis / Magna exist, which are better in technicalities, can make the purchasing decision difficult.

 

[Lokust]

Check out my semi-review, link in my signature.
TLDR: Sidegrade. Better technicalities & soundstage, way better midrange (vocals), different treble (i prefer it), worse bass and dynamics / punch & slam.
It has the very best vocals of any headphone in the hobby, but the lack of dynamics and the price increase from the OG when Immanis / Magna exist, which are better in technicalities, can make the purchasing decision difficult.

I knew it wouldn't take long...

 

[Exekuhtor]

I knew it wouldn't take long...

AHAHAHAHA
Seems i'm well known by now!

 

[Aetherhole]

I am going to say it’s a slight side-grade and slight upgrade. For me the increased speed, spaciousness, treble, midrange, and the build quality and materials, make it a clear upgrade. The veil concept does not sit well for me. I really hate that Hifiman is leaning so hard into it. Susvara Unveiled is fine (-ish), but the new HE1K and Arya Unv are just stupid looking. The exposed driver is not a good idea.

Bass, people collectively seem to think it’s a downgrade. I think the speedier nature of the Unveiled reduces perceived note weight just a touch, but I see that as either a side-grade or a downgrade. I think it adds a touch more texture, so it’s a matter of what is more important.

 

[Sand Dan Glokta]

Upgrade to Cyan 2 and Tubes (Cayin HA170 Soul) . Also, use a dedicated streamer like the Holo Red or Lumin U2 since Mac Mini doesn’t cut it at all with Susvara

Could anyone compare the Cyan2 with the May, running susvaras? How is the cyan2 holography?