[normie610]

My first listening session in 2023 and it’s with CA1a listening to the following album with Mitch’s filter, 300B preamp, CFA3, TI-1b & Star-8 cable is absolute bliss!

 

[jlbrach]

fantastic combo...I have the cfa3 without the pre amp with the CA

 

[jlbrach]

https://musicalhead.de/2023/01/01/test-raal-requisite-ca1a/

I would say this is a very accurate review

 

[Lv100Pidgeot]

Unboxed my CA1A and TI1B today. I'm really impressed in a few ways. The build quality feels like something NASA would send to Mars- very light and very sturdy simultaneously. The headband is reminiscent of DCA's nitinol headbands, though the leather here is a lot softer than my Aeons. My first impressions of the sound: more resolving than Arya, less resolving than SR009 overall but with tradeoffs. 009 has an edge in separation and transient response. I can't pick out individuals in an orchestra with CA1A like I can with the stax. On the other hand, the bass texture is phenomenal and I think the CA1A sounds better than SR009 for small stage music- rock bands, pop, etc.

Initial impressions with only a couple hours of listening time.

 

[normie610]

The build quality feels like something NASA would send to Mars- very light and very sturdy simultaneously

A very good analogy, never thought about this before!

 

[DJJEZ]

I got to home demo the raal CA-1a recently and really enjoyed my time with it.

 

[normie610]

I got to home demo the raal CA-1a recently and really enjoyed my time with it.

Which amp do you use to drive the CA1a?

 

[jlbrach]

I got to home demo the raal CA-1a recently and really enjoyed my time with it.

it is wonderful and a real bargain

 

[DJJEZ]

Which amp do you use to drive the CA1a?

A90, WA33 JPS elite and red October

 

[jlbrach]

A90 to JPS elite is quite a divergence

 

[paradoxper]

I got to home demo the raal CA-1a recently and really enjoyed my time with it.

I tried to hold out but I've also been enjoying it immensely.

Highly resolving and ultra smooth capable
They embarass the whole sub $3k
They are as good as all $6k+

They need tubes IMO to soften out some spots.

I'm simply reminded of a LCD-R/Susvara amalgamation.

They lack that last bit of impact, dynamic force and space from a TC but they are awesome all their own.

 

[normie610]

I tried to hold out but I've also been enjoying it immensely.

Highly resolving and ultra smooth capable
They embarass the whole sub $3k
They are as good as all $6k+

They need tubes IMO to soften out some spots.

I'm simply reminded of a LCD-R/Susvara amalgamation.

They lack that last bit of impact, dynamic force and space from a TC but they are awesome all their own.

Ha! Finally!

 

[Hiker816]

I tried to hold out but I've also been enjoying it immensely.

Highly resolving and ultra smooth capable
They embarass the whole sub $3k
They are as good as all $6k+

They need tubes IMO to soften out some spots.

I'm simply reminded of a LCD-R/Susvara amalgamation.

They lack that last bit of impact, dynamic force and space from a TC but they are awesome all their own.

Do you think, if one already has the TCs and SR1a, that the CA-1a is both good enough and different enough to still be worth adding to the stable? Or would they overlap enough to be a bit redundant?

 

[paradoxper]

Do you think, if one already has the TCs and SR1a, that the CA-1a is both good enough and different enough to still be worth adding to the stable?

I was talking about this with jlbrach, the comfort support is worth it. Just brainless throw on, easy-day listening.

the SR1a is always going to be its own thing with uberamp, it's my reference, I never listen to the damn thing.

With TC, I am currently struggling with do I keep the CA-1a for those scenarios.

It is certainly the only headphone I've come across that I consider threatening to the TC.

I'd say totally worth it to add.

 

[jlbrach]

I tried to hold out but I've also been enjoying it immensely.

Highly resolving and ultra smooth capable
They embarass the whole sub $3k
They are as good as all $6k+

They need tubes IMO to soften out some spots.

I'm simply reminded of a LCD-R/Susvara amalgamation.

They lack that last bit of impact, dynamic force and space from a TC but they are awesome all their own.

Ok ,I see you did get them...I couldnt agree more with your description...you can spend multiples more and actually end up with an inferior product...first time in a long time I have bought a product and felt I got a good deal...and the raal guys are constantly upping the ante with new products and they are such great guys