RAAL-requisite: The Official VM-1a Discussion Thread

[gammi]

could be a tube issue

Yeah, I swapped the input tube for another tube and it was still there. Swapped the four PSVANE EL34-PH driver tubes with four Tesla EL34s and so far it seems to be gone.
Unfortunate, I liked those Phillips replicas.

Is that something that will go away with more burn in?

 

[jlbrach]

tubes are funny...and a lot of work sadly but worth it when you get it right

 

[marcus2704]

Recently got the Immanis. Should I be looking at the VM-1A in place of my existing Envy w/WE300B tubes, or am i golden with what I have? As an aside, I see losing the transformer as a positive thing, but really I just want the best sound for the Immanis. Chances of being able to listen to the VM-1A before purchase is practically zero.

 

[jlbrach]

Recently got the Immanis. Should I be looking at the VM-1A in place of my existing Envy w/WE300B tubes, or am i golden with what I have? As an aside, I see losing the transformer as a positive thing, but really I just want the best sound for the Immanis. Chances of being able to listen to the VM-1A before purchase is practically zero.

you are golden, I have envy and VM-1a and recently have been using my envy with ER300 tubes and It is truly wonderful and recently I paired it with my CFA3 which creates quite an experience...

 

[skylinekursk]

Same question here) envy performance I hear too smooth and not enough bass with my favourite ca1a. Can vm1a do anything better than envy? Is it brighter or has more highs than envy?

 

[Hiker816]

Same question here) envy performance I hear too smooth and not enough bass with my favourite ca1a. Can vm1a do anything better than envy? Is it brighter or has more highs than envy?

I haven't gotten a chance to try the CA-1a on both the VM-1a and Envy Performance, but I can tell you that the CA-1a sounds like a completely different headphone off the VM-1a compared to, say, the Zahl HM1 or CFA3. Even when using the Mitch filters with the Zahl or CFA3, the CA-1a was just much much better off the VM-1a.

I've heard the Immanis off both the Envy and VM-1a. However, the Envy auditions were only a few minutes each, so you should take this with a truckload of salt: My seat of the pants assessment is that the Immanis is excellent off the Envy Performance, but slightly better off the VM-1a--slightly better dynamics and balance. The Envy AE, though, was really impressive. I'm not sure whether it or the VM-1a drives the Immanis better.

 

[jlbrach]

I have both the VM-1a and the envy with ER300 and WE300...truth is you cannot go wrong with either one...both terrific

 

[skylinekursk]

Can you guys write little more details about difference (texture, slam, note weight, transparency, dynamics…)
I have ca1a for now and looking for Immanis. My second amp is gsx mk2 which is less weighted sound than envy but more transparent and detailed
I prefer listen ca1a on envy 90% of time because of musicality and richness

 

[Hiker816]

Can you guys write little more details about difference (texture, slam, note weight, transparency, dynamics…)
I have ca1a for now and looking for Immanis. My second amp is gsx mk2 which is less weighted sound than envy but more transparent and detailed
I prefer listen ca1a on envy 90% of time because of musicality and richness

Unfortunately, I can't provide anything more that would be useful. My time with the Envy just wasn't long enough to assess it any better, and I've never heard the CA-1a on Envy--just the Immanis (and some non-RAAL HPs).

 

[jlbrach]

to me the VM-1a is a bit more direct a bit grunt but the envy with upgraded tubes is a bit larger sounding and mpre tube like even though they are both tube amps....I go back and forth between the 2 and sometimes find myself liking one more than other...until I listen to the other one..cant go wrong with either

 

[gammi]

Really loving my latest tube roll on the VM-1a. I discuss it here in my Immanis/Magna thread:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/raal-immanis-magna-mega-shootout.973930/page-3#post-18306150

Input: NOS RCA 6F8G with grey glass
Driver: Sophia Electric blue EL34-ST
Power: PSVANE EL34-PH Phillips reproduction

Simply put, it's just doing everything right. Rich without being muddy, sparkling without being sibilant. Very emotionally engaging and musical.

Still really loving this combo. The PSVANE tubes have a little hum so I actually ordered a whole other set of four in the hope of the new set having less hum. They're cheap on Aliexpress right now for Black Friday. I got my set of four for only $180.

 

[nwavesailor]

I will have a VM-1a amp arriving later this week for an audition.
I have read posts from several Head-Fi members that I trust, and there are many who find the VM to be very among the best amps paired with the Immanis.
I got a bit frisky and inadvertently fell down the EL34 rabbit hole that I thought I was just peeking into and I bought a few pairs of NOS EL34.

Do any VM owners have an opinion, regarding what EL34's have the greatest influence on sound, the 4 power tubes or the 2 splitter / drivers?

I should have asked this question here and not on the Immanis forum.

 

[ardbeg1975]

I will have a VM-1a amp arriving later this week for an audition.
I have read posts from several Head-Fi members that I trust, and there are many who find the VM to be very among the best amps paired with the Immanis.
I got a bit frisky and inadvertently fell down the EL34 rabbit hole that I thought I was just peeking into and I bought a few pairs of NOS EL34.

Do any VM owners have an opinion, regarding what EL34's have the greatest influence on sound, the 4 power tubes or the 2 splitter / drivers?

I should have asked this question here and not on the Immanis forum.

I talked to Danny at Raal Requisite a while back on this topic and he suggested (to paraphrase) starting with the 2 drivers first if you wanted to roll in NOS for “flavor”.

Also, if you are rolling in NOS of the quad power tubes in particular, you should either have a tube tester or buy from very reliable sources as any latent short in any of the EL34s can be harmful to the transformer as the tubes are wired in parallel. I had a short in one of my tubes (tube still lit up initially and I got sound so I was unaware), but the fault put thermal load on the transformer and caused an internal to the transformer fuse to go. As that fuse is embedded, if it trips, you have to ship the amp back to Serbia (which I did) to get the trafo replaced. Thus, I stick with new issue EL34s until I can acquire my own tube tester.

 

[nwavesailor]

GREAT!

I was hoping the 2 spitter / drivers made the most difference.

I have 2 testers and will check the incoming EL34…….


EDIT Feb 18th:

4 pairs of EL34 have arrived for the driver / splitter slots of the VM. I will have a quad of Amperex EL34 for the 4 power tubes next week.

So far the UK Balckburn pairs from the late 50's and mid 70's have been a nice step up from stock. Just got the Holland production metal base pair today and DD getter Amperex both from the mid to later 50's. My initial impression is tighter deeper bass from all the NOS (UK and Holland production) and the L code Brussels production pair may have a bit more sparkle with detail as well as the bass. Gotta try the metal base as they are supposed to be the Holy Grail!!!!

EDIT: Initial impressions for pairing with the Immanis are the Mullard ECC35 or National Union 6F8G as input with the pair of '50's Holland metal base or DD getter EL34 in the splitter / driver position. I should be getting a quad of Amperex for the 4 power tubes next week.