[Kiats]

Thanks Alex! I can now feel at peace after agonising over this after I was touched by the wondrous sound of the SR-1a/Jot R setup.

If I wanted to ask you to make a 2M interconnect cable for the TI-1b, I assume I can just ask Sean to reach out to you? Thanks!

No worries, @Aleksandar R. Sean made the enquiry for me. Will order that as well. As soon as Sean sends me the pro forma invoice and I pay up. Am so looking forward to the CA-1a, the TI-1b.

 

[buffer]

i was speaking to a wire manufacturer. I am asking them to build a cable for my TI-1b interface that uses a 1/4" headphone output from a headphone amp that will connect to the 4pin input of the TI-1b interface box. They are asking the following:

"Do you happen to know the wiring instructions for the 4 pin XLR to the ¼ TRS?
Going from 4 conductors to 3 and I am not sure of the wiring on the RAAL box you referenced."

Can someone help me out with the above question? And also do I require TRS or TRRS for proper functioning?

 

[Aleksandar R.]

i was speaking to a wire manufacturer. I am asking them to build a cable for my TI-1b interface that uses a 1/4" headphone output from a headphone amp that will connect to the 4pin input of the TI-1b interface box. They are asking the following:

"Do you happen to know the wiring instructions for the 4 pin XLR to the ¼ TRS?
Going from 4 conductors to 3 and I am not sure of the wiring on the RAAL box you referenced."

Can someone help me out with the above question? And also do I require TRS or TRRS for proper functioning?

The TI box has two separate "ground" connections at input/output, but there is no problem with connecting them together, so TRS and 3 conductors is OK.

The pinout is normal at the input side of the TI box:
https://www.google.com/search?q=4pi...HUMYAL0Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1920&bih=955&dpr=1

At the output, to headphones, it's RAAL-requisite pinout, but that's not important now.

However, even with a TRS at one end, using 4 conductors in two separate twisted pairs, or two coax', or two whatever topology but physically separated cables with + and - leads for each channel, is much better for sound.
That way, you will prevent crosstalk between channels (clearing up the midrange and opening highs) and you will prevent capacitive and inductive coupling between amplifiers for L and R (alleviating feedback related issues that may arise in an amp).

Your amp and your ears will be grateful if you do so.

 

[buffer]

The TI box has two separate "ground" connections at input/output, but there is no problem with connecting them together, so TRS and 3 conductors is OK.

The pinout is normal at the input side of the TI box:
https://www.google.com/search?q=4pi...HUMYAL0Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1920&bih=955&dpr=1

At the output, to headphones, it's RAAL-requisite pinout, but that's not important now.

However, even with a TRS at one end, using 4 conductors in two separate twisted pairs, or two coax', or two whatever topology but physically separated cables with + and - leads for each channel, is much better for sound.
That way, you will prevent crosstalk between channels (clearing up the midrange and opening highs) and you will prevent capacitive and inductive coupling between amplifiers for L and R (alleviating feedback related issues that may arise in an amp).

Your amp and your ears will be grateful if you do so.

thank you for this wonderful response! I absolutely love the CA-1a and the short cable between amp and interface was the only thing limiting my playing time. i typically sit about 8 feet from my system. I'm looking forward to a lot more playing time .

 

[Kiats]

thank you for this wonderful response! I absolutely love the CA-1a and the short cable between amp and interface was the only thing limiting my playing time. i typically sit about 8 feet from my system. I'm looking forward to a lot more playing time .

I face the same issue as you do. Hence, I had ordered such a 6 foot cable from RAAL to enable me to enjoy the TI-1A. I might try something like this in due course.

 

[Roasty]

Just got my ca1a from the recent B-stock run. thanks @Aleksandar R. and Danny/David at Raal for getting this out to me.

sounds really nice out of the vm1a! oh.. and quite comfortable too. love the bass and overall tuning. very enjoyable so far!

@Aleksandar R. is it safe to turn the knob on the vm1a from CA to SR without first turning off the amp?

 

[Aleksandar R.]

Just got my ca1a from the recent B-stock run. thanks @Aleksandar R. and Danny/David at Raal for getting this out to me.

sounds really nice out of the vm1a! oh.. and quite comfortable too. love the bass and overall tuning. very enjoyable so far!

@Aleksandar R. is it safe to turn the knob on the vm1a from CA to SR without first turning off the amp?

Super-safe!

 

[Kiats]

Taking the SR-1a and Jot R out for a spin with the Shanling M30 running Tidal as source, on nutube output. Lovely lushness.

 

[Kiats]

Some fun listening on a Sunday morning. Using HQPlayer, with the iFi NEO Stream as NAA, and then digital out into the multibit DAC card on the Schiit Jot R.

I have tried Accurate Sounds’ filters. I think I still prefer the SR-1a as is. Or with HQPlayer on Roon. But that is the fun part of this hobby, isn’t it? Trying things to see how they suit you.

 

[foefoe]

For those who have the VM-1a, any recommendations for NOS tube rolling? In general, I don't favor the typical "tubey" sound that's overly lush, warm and rounded. I prefer tubes that excel in clarity and dynamics.

I'm also curious which tubes (the 6SN7, EL34 pair or EL34 quad) are the most influential to the resultant sound quality. Since I have some 6SN7 varieties, but no EL34's whatsoever, I'm really unfamiliar with where to start with EL34's.

I wonder how these https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...!sea!UK!3051132549&curPageLogUid=4PxzHKAOpOn3 would sound compared to what comes with vm1a

 

[FLTWS]

I wonder how these https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004138814223.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.73.5815TN2VTN2V6n&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000028159799996"}&pdp_npi=3@dis!USD!309.25!284.51!!!!!@212243c016767980371212956d06d5!12000028159799996!sea!UK!3051132549&curPageLogUid=4PxzHKAOpOn3 would sound compared to what comes with vm1a

I purchased these in anticipation of buying the VM-1a. I never got to try them as an un-correctable hearing issue developed last Jan 2022. I never bought the VM-1a which was an amp I lusted for as the SR-1a was the best listening experience I have had, (short of live concerts), in an HP. The phones I owned at the time the issue started in addition to the SR-1a were the Senn HD800 and 800S, Focal Utopia, and HiFiMan Susvara (all sold at this point).

I've been a fan of ribbons since I owned the Carver Amazing IV's back in the 90's which I had to sell in 2004 as a result of downsizing. I still use my SR-1a with my HSA-1b but only with the TV off my Oppo 105D to watch movies. For whatever reason, that open baffle design and the transient accuracy of the ribbons doesn't emphasize the issue.

A matched quad and matched pair purchased direct from China. I also still have 2 matched quads of Gold Lion KT77's I was using with my PrimaLuna EVO 400 and 2 channel rig all of which is also sold. PM me if interested.

 

[Roasty]

those with the Ca1a, which pads are u guys preferring? the one with vent holes or the full donut?

 

[normie610]

those with the Ca1a, which pads are u guys preferring? the one with vent holes or the full donut?

I keep on switching my preference both are great (with Mitch filters of course) and it depends on my mood actually. But I find them both equally enjoyable and it’s like having two different headphones.

 

[Roasty]

@normie610 does your ca1a sit on your head properly? mine feels like the back of the cups is slightly lifted off, and the front of the cups has a bit more pressure on the side of my face than the back of the cups.

 

[Kiats]

I keep on switching my preference both are great (with Mitch filters of course) and it depends on my mood actually. But I find them both equally enjoyable and it’s like having two different headphones.

Ooh.. the transparent clip is hardy enough to take the constant change? Can’t wait to get mine! The AD is still waiting to be advised as to when my CA-1a set (incl TI-1b) and bespoke 6 foot interconnect will be shipped out.