RAAL Immanis/Magna Mega Shootout

[HA-1]

The point for me is that my listening distance requires a 15 ft cable length so I will need a cable to accommodate, hopefully RAAL can hook me up.

By RAAL: "Since the transformer-headphone cable-headphone has to be a system with fixed parameters, we can't change the length of the headphone cable. So, if you want to listen 5m (15 ft) away from the amp, with the new Interface/Stand, you just use a long amp-to-interface cable, while carrying the Int/Stand to the listening position." - Head-Fi.org .

 

[RogueCrusher]

Many people here try really really high end systems tubes...I only use my Lotoo Mjölnir wit the Immanis and maybe I could get even better quality form it with a different combo but I am perfectly happy as it is.

When I reached out to Danny regarding synergy with the iFi Pro iCan Signature and iDSD Signature (which I have) he mentioned that he too has this stack personally and said that their is good synergy with Immanis and Magna with that setup running the 32ohm interface.

Getting that confirmation for me was crucial.

 

[jlbrach]

It seems like you want a) a system that can deliver a lot of power (at least 4-5W, the more the better), and b) has a decent amount of warmth to fill in the (sometimes somewhat) thinn and distant midrange.

the power aspect is overrated...my envy sounds better than my CFA3 and is not nearly as powerful...the envy was developed apparently to drive the susvara so it can drive anything...that said to my ears the VM-1a is the best I have heard...that is just my take everyone hears it differently...in fact the Raal team has spoken of not needing all that much power and too much being a detriment potentially...if power is what you seek I believe the VM-1a does 20 watts in the pentode mode

 

[nfandi]

the power aspect is overrated...my envy sounds better than my CFA3 and is not nearly as powerful...the envy was developed apparently to drive the susvara so it can drive anything...that said to my ears the VM-1a is the best I have heard...that is just my take everyone hears it differently...in fact the Raal team has spoken of not needing all that much power and too much being a detriment potentially...if power is what you seek I believe the VM-1a does 20 watts in the pentode mode

….and although it has been replaced by the new ‘Vortex’ it is still available ‘on demand’ directly from Solaja.

 

[Exekuhtor]

the power aspect is overrated...my envy sounds better than my CFA3 and is not nearly as powerful...the envy was developed apparently to drive the susvara so it can drive anything...that said to my ears the VM-1a is the best I have heard...that is just my take everyone hears it differently...in fact the Raal team has spoken of not needing all that much power and too much being a detriment potentially...if power is what you seek I believe the VM-1a does 20 watts in the pentode mode

Interesting. Is your CFA3 also from Headamp? Maybe it's more of a preference thing than i thought. Could be. Of course the Envy already has plenty of power, but for me the CFA3 does certain things slightly better. Only because something is "designed to drive a Susvara", does not mean it's the best. We already had this discussion regarding the Holo Bliss, which is decent, but nowhere near as top of the line for the Susvara as some people might say it is...
Also, the fact that people drive the Immanis with speaker amp (outputs), makes it seem like certainly loves (sheer endless) power.

 

[jlbrach]

I am not suggesting that because it can drive the susvara it is best only that is has ample power...I have read here in several posts that the Raal guys actually speak of 3-5 watts as the sweet spot for the immanis...my CFA3 was built by dukeii and I am told the new model is essentially the same sounding according to headamp...power is important but once you have enough the law of diminishing returns kicks in fast...my VM-1a has 20 watts and my CFA3 has 15 and the envy has 5 or so and I dont think it makes the least bit of difference...the CFA3 is simply a better amp than the bliss but not simply due to power..to me the VM-1a just kicks harder than the envy or the CFA3 and seems more detailed to me but again we all hear differently...for planars the envy with upgraded tubes is fantastic

 

[RogueCrusher]

By RAAL: "Since the transformer-headphone cable-headphone has to be a system with fixed parameters, we can't change the length of the headphone cable. So, if you want to listen 5m (15 ft) away from the amp, with the new Interface/Stand, you just use a long amp-to-interface cable, while carrying the Int/Stand to the listening position." - Head-Fi.org .

I figured that would be “plan B” if there was an issue with capacitance of the “harness”/cable needing to stay within certain parameters (dependent on length in pF) which would affect the overall impedance 1/(2*pi*f*C)

Now I just need to convince my better half that I need to run this cable along baseboard and over door trim (via a nice enclosed cable track) for me to run XLR cable

I’m assuming also, like eStats, these headphones should have dust covers over them?

 

[HA-1]

I figured that would be “plan B” if there was an issue with capacitance of the “harness”/cable needing to stay within certain parameters (dependent on length in pF) which would affect the overall impedance 1/(2*pi*f*C)

The true ribbon drivers of the Immanis are basically just an aluminum foil with an impedance near a short cut. Hence the system consisting of the transformer-interface, headphone-cable (STAR-8 MKII made of silver) and the Immanis itself is especially matched to each other. Therefore, the length of the headphone cable cannot be changed. But you can change the cable length from the amp-output to the transformer-interface. Since hp-cables of other manufacturers are often 3m-5m (~10ft-16ft) long, there shouldn't be issues with impedance/capacitance.