[tunes]

How does the Feliks Envy performance compare to the Riviera AIC-10 with the Susvara?

 

[orrman]

How does the Feliks Envy performance compare to the Riviera AIC-10 with the Susvara?

The AIC is much much better in my experience. I'd also rank a few other amps (WA23, WA33 Elite, Egoista 845) between the Envy and AIC it's not even close. I've heard from people I trust that Envy is much better with upgraded tubes but haven't heard it outside of stock.

 

[tunes]

The AIC is much much better in my experience. I'd also rank a few other amps (WA23, WA33 Elite, Egoista 845) between the Envy and AIC it's not even close. I've heard from people I trust that Envy is much better with upgraded tubes but haven't heard it outside of stock.

Can you elaborate on a head to head comparison? Detail retrieval, bass quality, stage width and depth, high frequency and speed?

The AIC is much much better in my experience. I'd also rank a few other amps (WA23, WA33 Elite, Egoista 845) between the Envy and AIC it's not even close. I've heard from people I trust that Envy is much better with upgraded tubes but haven't heard it outside of stock.

so which tubes did you hear the Envy with? Was it the performance (Full Music) or standard tube compliment. I also have heard that the Elrogs make a big difference.

 

[Axel]

Anyone interested in purchasing a s/h Riviera AIC-10 Bal, can send me a PM.
I'll probably put it in the classifieds during the next few days.

https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/riviera-aic-10-bal.56955/

 

[tunes]

https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/riviera-aic-10-bal.56955/

Have you found a better amp??

 

[Axel]

Have you found a better amp??

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/riv...akers-amplifier.936387/page-106#post-17785911

 

[kawhia]

Blasphemy

 

[orrman]

I'm thinking of pairing AIC with a 93db 4ohm speakers, any thoughts from folks here on how it'll handle such a load?

 

[msq123]

I have just got my AIC-10 and loving it with all my headphones, particularly synergy with Valkyria is off the charts. I am running G73R and don't have speaker taps>XLR so running from front HP out. I am preferring high impedance and feel that I get better dynamic range vs low impedence. Any other Valkyria owners and how are you running yours? Should I run it off speaker taps and is there any other tube recommendation with Valkyria?

 

[simorag]

I have just got my AIC-10 and loving it with all my headphones, particularly synergy with Valkyria is off the charts. I am running G73R and don't have speaker taps>XLR so running from front HP out. I am preferring high impedance and feel that I get better dynamic range vs low impedence. Any other Valkyria owners and how are you running yours? Should I run it off speaker taps and is there any other tube recommendation with Valkyria?

Congratulations! I have yet to find a headphone that does not pair superbly well with the AIC-10 (especially after identifying the 'right' tube for each one), but I agree that the Valkyria seem to enjoy the matching in a special way.

As yourself, I also use a G73R, which is the best option I have found* for the Valkyria, as it combines a bold timbre, monumental dynamics and soundstage with transparency, speed and articulation.

I use the HP-LOW out normally, which is the most refined to my ears and still provides plenty of headroom (I have never remotely approached 50% of volume).

I tried the speaker taps, which I find beneficial for the AB-1266 TC (and found almost a necessity with the Susvara when I owned it), and they provide some further thrilling scale and macro-dynamics elevation, but at the expense of some increase of grain.

* Second was a Fivre, then Amperex 7316. My beloved Mullard CV-491 can be too much for the V., yet I roll it sometimes because it is such a treat with some music

 

[msq123]

Congratulations! I have yet to find a headphone that does not pair superbly well with the AIC-10 (especially after identifying the 'right' tube for each one), but I agree that the Valkyria seem to enjoy the matching in a special way.

As yourself, I also use a G73R, which is the best option I have found* for the Valkyria, as it combines a bold timbre, monumental dynamics and soundstage with transparency, speed and articulation.

I use the HP-LOW out normally, which is the most refined to my ears and still provides plenty of headroom (I have never remotely approached 50% of volume).

I tried the speaker taps, which I find beneficial for the AB-1266 TC (and found almost a necessity with the Susvara when I owned it), and they provide some further thrilling scale and macro-dynamics elevation, but at the expense of some increase of grain.

* Second was a Fivre, then Amperex 7316. My beloved Mullard CV-491 can be too much for the V., yet I roll it sometimes because it is such a treat with some music

Thanks a lot. I really appreciate your posts in Valkyria thread, your posts are my go to to discover some amazing music.

I am glad that I am not missing much without speaker taps dongle and no rush to get one. I will also start with Fivre and also check out Brimar 4003 which is another one recommended by another AIC owner.

 

[DMITRIY R]

I have just got my AIC-10 and loving it with all my headphones, particularly synergy with Valkyria is off the charts. I am running G73R and don't have speaker taps>XLR so running from front HP out. I am preferring high impedance and feel that I get better dynamic range vs low impedence. Any other Valkyria owners and how are you running yours? Should I run it off speaker taps and is there any other tube recommendation with Valkyria?

I would be grateful if you describe the difference in sound with Cayin HA-300 Mk2, on headphones 1266 TC.

 

[eskamobob1]

I am preferring high impedance and feel that I get better dynamic range vs low impedence.

Just a heads up, high vs low on AIC is not an impedance change, just gain.

 

[Alpexis]

Some recent upgrades to my Riviera set-up:
- Speaker tap headphone cable by SIN Audio (from Susvara straight to furutech FT-212 rhodium banana plugs). Greatly improves soundstage, layering and bass.
- Hivac cv491. Currently my favorite tube and recommended to me by the friendly guy at hanoitubes. Perfect blend of warmth, transparency and silkyness.

Currently also demoing better clock cables. My wallet was really hoping my ears wouldn't hear any difference. But I would say there's a 10-15% improvement in naturalness and emotionality. Crazy hobby.

Cheers!

 

[moosemp]

Work in progress. Acoustical treatment of my room may detract me from listening with headphones…