Interesting. I'm guessing this new 300B will be the preferable way to listen to the new 3 ribbon. I guess we'll wait and see. I really don't want to buy yet another amp for just ribbon headphones, but if the sound quality is there, I guess it might be worth it. I just wonder if the VM will be obsolete once the new tube amp comes. Resell value will probably be terrible. We don't know when this new 300B amp will be coming out, but I'd probably hold off on buying the VM at this point, though it is very amazing with the CA (I'm actually listening to it right now).
As Aleks has stated that they’re not chasing power anymore for the new phones I’m guessing that the new 300B amp will require the interface box. It could be Cigga that your VM will be the only direct-drive tube amplifier for the Raal’s that’s ever made. That might mean it will retain its value. Now there’s a thought
My understanding from Danny is that the new 300B amplifier is still in development, not in production. It will not make the VM obsolete in any sense as a great (still best?) amplifier for the new two and three motor headphones. Remember, they are actually more efficient than the SR, so should rock on the VM. The new amplifier is also rumored to drive conventional headphones and will likely be more expensive than the VM was, as most 300B variants are. When I spoke to Danny recently, he said he still has ONE VM1a left for sale, the last one in the US. My prediction is the new Raal 1995 headphones will reinforce the value of the VM. Of course it is possible they may still be available in Europe as special order, I do not know this.
I bought one of the last VM's from Danny. He may have one left.
The first Ribbon direct drive amp was Schiit Jotunheim R, the second was HSA-1a, and later HSA-1b (now in C version by SAEQ) and the third one was VM-1a.As Aleks has stated that they’re not chasing power anymore for the new phones I’m guessing that the new 300B amp will require the interface box. It could be Cigga that your VM will be the only direct-drive tube amplifier for the Raal’s that’s ever made. That might mean it will retain its value. Now there’s a thought
The lack of a direct drive is pretty significant in my mind. With the CA-1a, for me, the VM-1a absolutely trounces my regular amp through the interface--and that's with a pretty good regular amp (Zahl). I imagine the VM-1a's ability to direct drive has to be part of the reason. Strangely, for me, the SR1a is pretty close to equal off the Zahl+interface when using the Mitch filter vs the VM-1a. I wonder whether the Immanis will massively benefit from the direct-drive VM-1a like the CA-1a does, or whether the difference will be small or none like with the SR1a.
With my Simaudio Moon 600i and the TI-1a... this has been my experience as well... Heck, the Jotunheim R is not that far off either.
Yeah, I was interested in it when I thought it was direct drive. No reason for me to buy it without that though since I already have a good 300B tube speaker amp.
I completely agree. While it's great that RAAL made available the TI-1b & c transformers for those that want to dip their toe in without committing to a dedicated amplifier, I personally would only use an interface if I had no other amplification options available to me. The less things in the signal path, the better.
Can I very humbly suggest that your statement WAS correct for those of you able to experience the obvious joy the VM-1a has given you (and will continue to give you) but the use of the present tense ‘IS the way to go’ is not futureworld according to the man himself. On the 1995 thread Alex told us today of the amps he’s used to ‘voice’ the Immanis and others also used in testing. But the important point Aleks made is that the new phones no longer need the powerful warm sounding amps like the SR1 did, that the choice now is much wider, more based on personal preference than the demands made by the phones. Also, the VM-1a is now discontinued as is the HSA-1b so the HSA-1c is I think the only direct drive amp currently being manufactured. If direct drive IS the way to go surely Alex would have maintained their availability. I’m just offering a different point of view, nothing else.
