[adrianm]

A positive take on CA-1a. It's his dream headphone system together with dCS Lina stack and Shunyata Gemini power conditioner.

https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/revi...m-from-dcs-raal-requisite-and-shunyata-r1203/

And that's not even its final form

 

[Somatic]

Anyone tried the CA-1 with an Envy yet?

 

[Somatic]

The space and silence between instruments of these are imo superior to Susvara and makes for some very interesting spatial effects on this Jason Collett album I'm listening to Head Full Of Wonder, really beautiful depth and transparency. I'd be curious how far away these are from a stax x9000. Worth selling everything to move towards one?

Seems like you like the CA-1a and the Susvara. How are they different and are they complimentary? I guess I don't want to headphones with similar house sound or attributes. Thanks.

 

[paradoxper]

A positive take on CA-1a. It's his dream headphone system together with dCS Lina stack and Shunyata Gemini power conditioner.

https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/revi...m-from-dcs-raal-requisite-and-shunyata-r1203/

That review was dog. Could they use more words and maybe just a referential comparison that provides 1-bit context.

 

[FiGuY1017]

Seems like you like the CA-1a and the Susvara. How are they different and are they complimentary? I guess I don't want to headphones with similar house sound or attributes. Thanks.

Love them both equally. I'd say the Ca1a is more visceral and raw and the susvara more sades smooth, buttery but dynamic and layered with excellent depth perhaps alittle better than Ca1a, . I think they are complementary to each other mainly because Susvara is more of a smooth type of presentation while every kick drum and pluck of stiring with Ca1a has kick and power with a very nice tactile texture, it's faster than Susvara and maybe alittle more resolution, more blackness between instruments. Susvara is simply hard to beat but Ca1a is one that might tie it atelast. My music taste Ryan Adam's, Cayucas, Turnpike Troubledours, Teddy Thompson etc

 

[FLTWS]

A Perfect Pair

 

[normie610]

The very definition of big, bold, explosive analog sound. CA-1a rules!

 

[jlbrach]

great looking setup,personally I go with the VM-1a but there are many ways to take advantage of the fantastic CA-1a

 

[draytonklammer]

The Sr1a did a lot right for me, but I moved on from it fairly quickly due to its bass response.
I'm now considering trying the CA-1a...

Looks like I have a lot of reading to catch up on. Not sure I want to buy a special amplifier again, though...

 

[FiGuY1017]

The Sr1a did a lot right for me, but I moved on from it fairly quickly due to its bass response.
I'm now considering trying the CA-1a...

Looks like I have a lot of reading to catch up on. Not sure I want to buy a special amplifier again, though...

Fortunately you don't have to! I bought a open box unit for 1875.00 otd and it's equal to my Susvara, it's insanely good off both my amps, Flux Volot and Kinki Studio Thr-1.

 

[FLTWS]

I have both SR1a and CA-1a. The CA-1a is a bass monster compared to the SR1a and a fun listen to with movies, especially in the evening hours when I don't want to disturb neighbors. However, I still feel the SR1a is more accurate overall until you get to the bottom octave, but a touch of EQ is all I need. May still not be enough for others. The CA-1a is a good comfortable wearing phone that does warm up a bit. the SR1a with those adjustable wings has a lot going for it, especially the open air, dipole design. Much cooler temp wise than the CA-1a but not as comfortable wearing.

 

[jlbrach]

I love both but if forced to choose it would be a real tough choice but I would likely choose the sr1a with the star cable...mitch barnett plug in and VM-1a...doesnt get much better IMHO...the CA-1a is just as good and I understand others preferring it,it is just a subjective preference

 

[draytonklammer]

The only reason I sold the SR1a was bass, to be completely honest.

Not that I'm expecting it to be an Abyss or subwoofer, but it felt missing no matter what I drove it with.

 

[Hiker816]

I love both but if forced to choose it would be a real tough choice but I would likely choose the sr1a with the star cable...mitch barnett plug in and VM-1a...doesnt get much better IMHO...the CA-1a is just as good and I understand others preferring it,it is just a subjective preference

Out of curiosity, which Mitch filter are you using when you're using the VM-1a to drive the SR1a? Are you driving the SR1a using the CA-1a setting?

 

[Hiker816]

I resisted getting the CA-1a for a long time, figuring it would overlap too much with the SR1a. I was wrong and wish I hadn't waited so long. They are completely different HPs. They both have their pluses and minuses, though for me the minuses are few and totally outweighed by the pluses. I would call the CA-1a the more complete headphone, though. And while the VM-1a does, IMO, get the best out of the CA-1a (and probably the SR1a, but that's a closer call when using the Mitch filter and interface box for me), both still sound pretty amazing using the interface box with any other good amp. I don't think a special amp is in any way required.