[saudio7]

Finally have a chance to listen to Immanis and for some reason I am not impressed, all is there huge soundstage, a lot of details, nice bas etc., but for some reason they lack reverberation going deep into soundstage, a bit strange presentation, like all sound sources have a wall behind them….
But as I was comparing them with CA-1a, I wanted to try 16 om on TI-1b and … magically soundstage open up and now I understand all magic connected with Immanis. @Aleksandar R. is that possible that there is something wrong with transformer box/stand that it cause this type of issue?

 

[Aleksandar R.]

Finally have a chance to listen to Immanis and for some reason I am not impressed, all is there huge soundstage, a lot of details, nice bas etc., but for some reason they lack reverberation going deep into soundstage, a bit strange presentation, like all sound sources have a wall behind them….
But as I was comparing them with CA-1a, I wanted to try 16 om on TI-1b and … magically soundstage open up and now I understand all magic connected with Immanis. @Aleksandar R. is that possible that there is something wrong with transformer box/stand that it cause this type of issue?

I'd rather think something may be wrong with the cables.

That unit is a Show demo from Warsaw, so who knows what happened with cables...twisting, kinks, breaks...

You also reported back that the TI-1b is louder, and that is not normal. TI-1b is not louder, so something's not right.

So, let's get systematic with this, so please answer my questions as they come:

1) When you tried the Immanis on your TI-1b, was it with your home cables or cables that you got with Immanis set?

 

[saudio7]

I'd rather think something may be wrong with the cables.

That unit is a Show demo from Warsaw, so who knows what happened with cables...twisting, kinks, breaks...

You also reported back that the TI-1b is louder, and that is not normal. TI-1b is not louder, so something's not right.

So, let's get systematic with this, so please answer my questions as they come:

1) When you tried the Immanis on your TI-1b, was it with your home cables or cables that you got with Immanis set?

I tryied with Immanis cables, I am trying to avoid diconnections as much as I can. I can try with CA-1a cables. So I think it is to cables and first imprsion was becase I used 16 ohms and now when connecting 32 it is just difference in the soundstage presentation.

 

[Aleksandar R.]

I tryied with Immanis cables, I am trying to avoid diconnections as much as I can. I can try with CA-1a cables. So I think it is to cables and first imprsion was becase I used 16 om and now when connecting 32 it is just difference in the soundstage presentation.

Too much information. We're skipping the bits that are important to me.

2) for the sake of diagnosing the problem, you have to try with Amp-to-Interface cable that you trust.
Do not change the headphone cable just yet and please report back.

 

[Aleksandar R.]

Too much information. We're skipping the bits that are important to me.

2) for the sake of diagnosing the problem, you have to try with Amp-to-Interface cable that you trust.
Do not change the headphone cable just yet and please report back.

BTW, all comparisons should be 32 Ohms to 32 Ohms.

 

[saudio7]

Too much information. We're skipping the bits that are important to me.

2) for the sake of diagnosing the problem, you have to try with Amp-to-Interface cable that you trust.
Do not change the headphone cable just yet and please report back.

The only change is interface.

BTW, all comparisons should be 32 Ohms to 32 Ohms.

Yes only 32 ohms. Signal level is the same.

 

[Aleksandar R.]

The only change is interface.

Yes only 32 ohms. Signal level is the same.

Great, thanks!

So, signal level is the same, that's good.

Since the only change is the interface, are you using the CA-1 cable on Immanis now?
Is it the one coming with the CA-1 or you have the STAR-8 (any vintage)?

 

[saudio7]

Great, thanks!

So, signal level is the same, that's good.

Since the only change is the interface, are you using the CA-1 cable on Immanis now?
Is it the one coming with the CA-1 or you have the STAR-8 (any vintage)?

No, using original Immanis demo cables for now, didn’t used CA-1 cables yet.
I have CA-1 cables and also additional STAR-8 for it, so can check on those, but to me it looks like the difference is when I switch interface.

 

[Aleksandar R.]

No, using original Immanis demo cables for now, didn’t used CA-1 cables yet.
I have CA-1 cables and also additional STAR-8 for it, so can check on those, but to me it looks like the difference is when I switch interface.

Aha, OK, I get it.

Try the new interface with your old Amp-to-Inteface cable and your old STAR-8, please. Not with the ones you got with Immanis demo set.
Then just swap the Interfaces and let me know what's happening.

 

[saudio7]

Aha, OK, I get it.

Try the new interface with your old Amp-to-Inteface cable and your old STAR-8, please. Not with the ones you got with Immanis demo set.
Then just swap the Interfaces and let me know what's happening.

It is ok, sounding the same as with old interface, hmm you are right must be one of the cables.

 

[Aleksandar R.]

Great!
I'm wondering what to send to Piotr of replacements, so THANK YOU for your help with diagnostics!

Cheers,

Alex

 

[jonchard]

Not meaning to blur the lines...

I received Andrews set and in 5 minutes i was on the phone to him. Wonky soundstage, volume differences, tilting of wires leading to intermittent sound. Just be very sure that all cables are 100% fully located. I missed left hand side even though i thought it was in and then seconds later did EXACTLY the same on right hand side. The headphone plugs need an extra push after the first click and i missed it TWICE. They almost worked well but got wonky. This is the problem with Aleks using such spectacular connectors. They properly need double clicking.

I also wonder if it was Koji's issue when he claimed loss of bass on 170HA - 170HA is spectacular with these headphones unless your wires are wrong

 

[saudio7]

Great!
I'm wondering what to send to Piotr of replacements, so THANK YOU for your help with diagnostics!

Cheers,

Alex

Thank you Alex for your support, they sound wonderfully now with my "old" STAR-8 cable and Immanis interface.

And as jonchard mentioned bas also lose definition and details if there is problem with cable or connections.

 

[Aleksandar R.]

Yep, lots of current goes though those connectors and we chose the female so that contacts are very solid. Hard push-in is sometimes needed to get them to lock properly.

 

[Sajid Amit]

Cross-posting from the WC thread:

The Raal 1995 Immanis on Four Amazing Amplifiers

Thanks to @sean888 of SLT Technologies in Singapore, a bunch of us including @Roasty, @innocentblood and I had an awesome audio meetup today. Sort of like a Canjam for Raal 1995 aficionados with some of the most high-end amplifiers in the business including the latest and greatest solid state the AudmaOfficial HPA1, the venerated マス工房 MASS-kobo 465, the Riviera Audio Labs AIC-10, and the astounding Viva audio Egoista 2A3. We had the Rockna Wavedream SE and the Mola Mola Tambaqui as DACs and probably 5 units of the Immanis. Safe to say $100,000 worth of equipment. And what an awesome fun-filled night it was.

Quick impressions:

The Audma Headphone amp looks brilliant in real life. Pictures don’t do it justice, makes it appear more “lit up” than it actually is. It just looks majestic and stately in person. And it sounds just perfect with the Immanis. Just perfect. Not a hair out of place (and that too coming from a bald guy). The bass is so authoritative, textured, and warm, while the mids are natural, tonally weighted, and the treble has just the right amount of sparkle. Technically solid and the soundstage enhancement function is spookily good and can make for a surreal experience as you expand the soundstage with ease. Damn, this amp is just so perfect for the Immanis.

Moving on to the Riviera AIC-10, the Immanis begins to perform at a slightly higher level with greater nuance, lower level signals coming through more effortlessly, and a greater midrange weight even compared to the Audma which is no slouch in this department. The Audma is also overall pleasantly warm-leaning. While the Riviera delivers an ounce more bass texture, the Audma does beat it for sheer visceral punch and slam, and in this department, the Immanis sounds just right. Not extreme basshead fun like the 1266, but honestly just right, and this coming from a bass-first rock and metalhead audiophile like myself. Yes, the Immanis plays rock very well with perfect bass timbre, decay, impact and force. This is the one-and-done headphone.

I am quite familiar with the Mass Kobo 465 having auditioned it extensively and while I adore this $17,000 diminutive yet delightful looking amp, purely sonic synergy-wise, given my preferences for what I perceive as natural sounding, I preferred the Immanis on the Audma and the Riviera. While I appreciate how forward and snappy the Mass Kobo makes the Immanis sound, I felt it loses out on the decay and reverb that the Immanis is capable of, and it becomes too much of a good thing in terms of transient speed, and sounded a tad drier than I prefer. The Immanis sounded mor realistic and less dry so to speak on the Audma and the Riviera.

Last but not the least, I tried what is likely the best amplifier on the planet, at least among those I have tried and know well: the VIVA Egoista 2A3. What a ridiculous sounding unit: ridiculously good, fascinatingly real, and absolutely tonally perfect. Yes, the tubes overall impart a warmish tonality, but what an uncannily realistic warmth this is! Its warm like having a jet black background, an extraordinarily revealing yet never fatiguing treble, a beguilingly faithful midrange and what a boss of a bass! Damn juicy. Damn fun. I can’t get over this amp. It’s SGD 20,000 but I wanted to buy it on the spot. It just opens the Immanis up, making it sound like a window into all that is beautiful about this world, and before I get too carried away, I must end this note and do other things that need to get done.

In sum, the Immanis and the Viva Egoista 2A3 is what true love sounds like. The 2A3 is the best amplifier I have heard. And the Immanis is the best headphone I have heard. It is honestly unblemished unless you pair it with a DAC that stages too deep (eg Holo May) or with a chain that synergizes poorly with it (I assume that is possible to do, but not if you have some appreciation for synergy and matching high quality components with each other). That’s it for now. Stay tuned to the channel for more on the Immanis and the Egoista.