[Frankie D]

Friends,

Quick survey question so to speak:

1. How many of you drive the Susvara off the balanced headphone output of the Riviera and are satisfied with it (without needing to go the speaker amp route)? I know how my good friend and one of the most amazing audiophiles I have met (e-met), @goldwerger feels.

2. How many would pick the Riviera over MK 465 or the Viva Egoista to drive the Susvara?

Here you go.

1.- I do not have my own Riv yet. Incoming. However I liked it with Eyal’s tube and the balanced output. So balanced for me and this is how I will use it.

1.- I did this comparison at Eyal’s place. He prefers the Riv, I preferred the MK-465 and wrote about it in the 465 thread. 2 different HPs with these amps. The Riv makes the Sus ( as set up, not the factory tube ) bass heavy and highly refined. The MK-465 is in the neutral zone, the warm side of it, but still in the neutral zone. The Sus is very punchy with it and fast. Layered bass, mids and treble will come across better on the MK-465 due to its speed. The Zahl HM-1 is also phenomenal in this aspect with the Sus ( in servo mode ). If I can have only one, it is the 465. It will also sound better across more HPs IMHO.

That said, if you can afford it, you will want both. The Riv is special and one of the best amps available. Maybe one of the three best…..

 

[TDHEAD]

Friends,

Quick survey questions so to speak:

1. How many of you drive the Susvara off the balanced headphone output of the Riviera and are satisfied with it (without needing to go the speaker amp route)? I know how my good friend and one of the most amazing audiophiles I have met (e-met), @goldwerger feels.

2. How many would pick the Riviera over MK 465 or the Viva Egoista to drive the Susvara?

AIC with speaker taps was the best Susvara experience I have had. Too many amps to list Ive had but most of many mentioned here AIC was the best with Susvara by far, I still have my speaker taps Moon dragon silver cables

 

[edward1900]

anyone tried of AIC-10 Versus Austrian Paltauf amplifiers?

 

[fiascogarcia]

anyone tried of AIC-10 Versus Austrian Paltauf amplifiers?

I still just use my AIC-10 for headphones. I'm sure I'll eventually try it in a 2 channel system. Not having heard the Paltauf line, they are specifically designed for speaker use, and given the power output, it's almost an apples/oranges comparison.

 

[edward1900]

I still just use my AIC-10 for headphones. I'm sure I'll eventually try it in a 2 channel system. Not having heard the Paltauf line, they are specifically designed for speaker use, and given the power output, it's almost an apples/oranges comparison.

not really? actually AIC10 can drive speakers very well like SoundKaos vox3

 

[DJJEZ]

Friends,

Quick survey questions so to speak:

1. How many of you drive the Susvara off the balanced headphone output of the Riviera and are satisfied with it (without needing to go the speaker amp route)? I know how my good friend and one of the most amazing audiophiles I have met (e-met), @goldwerger feels.

2. How many would pick the Riviera over MK 465 or the Viva Egoista to drive the Susvara?

I personally prefer the rear speaker taps of AIC.

I've heard both aic-10 and 465 and chose the AIC-10 . AIC and 465 are the two best amps i have personally heard for susvara. you cannot go wrong with either one but the AIC-10 has the ability to tube roll which is a massive plus. Both amps have positives and negatives. Also if you ever plan to get a 1266TC again, it's better on the AIC IMO.

 

[Spawn300Z]

So true. I use Speaker taps for the Susvara, AB1266, DCA Expanse and Steaths. Everything else I use the headphone jacks.

 

[number1sixerfan]

Here you go.

1.- I do not have my own Riv yet. Incoming. However I liked it with Eyal’s tube and the balanced output. So balanced for me and this is how I will use it.

1.- I did this comparison at Eyal’s place. He prefers the Riv, I preferred the MK-465 and wrote about it in the 465 thread. 2 different HPs with these amps. The Riv makes the Sus ( as set up, not the factory tube ) bass heavy and highly refined. The MK-465 is in the neutral zone, the warm side of it, but still in the neutral zone. The Sus is very punchy with it and fast. Layered bass, mids and treble will come across better on the MK-465 due to its speed. The Zahl HM-1 is also phenomenal in this aspect with the Sus ( in servo mode ). If I can have only one, it is the 465. It will also sound better across more HPs IMHO.

That said, if you can afford it, you will want both. The Riv is special and one of the best amps available. Maybe one of the three best…..

It can be so hard with these things. I had a good amount of time with the Mass Kobo and Susvara (which I know extremely well) at a quiet show opening and it just sounded really amazing, and like you say a really neutral sound generally. The AIC has a bit more color, but like.... really good color, whatever it is lol. Nice lush sound, but very revealing and with great bass. I think side by side I'd probably lean toward the AIC's addictive sound, but the way the Mass Kobo controlled the Susvara really stood out to me. I do get a more neutral amp arguably being more versatile given the unique character of so many headphones, so definitely a point worth considering.

 

[Frankie D]

It can be so hard with these things. I had a good amount of time with the Mass Kobo and Susvara (which I know extremely well) at a quiet show opening and it just sounded really amazing, and like you say a really neutral sound generally. The AIC has a bit more color, but like.... really good color, whatever it is lol. Nice lush sound, but very revealing and with great bass. I think side by side I'd probably lean toward the AIC's addictive sound, but the way the Mass Kobo controlled the Susvara really stood out to me. I do get a more neutral amp arguably being more versatile given the unique character of so many headphones, so definitely a point worth considering.

I agree. And I can flip a 100 times. Get both, and a Decware as well!

 

[number1sixerfan]

I agree. And I can flip a 100 times. Get both, and a Decware as well!

This is terrible advice for the wallet lol

 

[Frankie D]

This is terrible advice for the wallet lol

I know, but so hard to resist if you have the coin.

 

[fdsa654hg]

I’m going to listen to the Mass Kobo 465 tomorrow. I might compare it with the AIC-10 if I get the chance.

 

[TDHEAD]

I personally prefer the rear speaker taps of AIC.

I've heard both aic-10 and 465 and chose the AIC-10 . AIC and 465 are the two best amps i have personally heard for susvara. you cannot go wrong with either one but the AIC-10 has the ability to tube roll which is a massive plus. Both amps have positives and negatives. Also if you ever plan to get a 1266TC again, it's better on the AIC IMO.

agree with all.......

 

[fredfung28]

hi everyone, I sold my aic10. Now is going to release the tube collection i have.
I have 3 B749 NOS gold lion in different condition, if anyone are interested, please pm me. Thanks!
It is really the most rare and best 12au7 tube no doubt, tried a lot and its the best. Of course its expensive.

 

[fdsa654hg]

I had a chance to listen to the Mass Kobo 465 today. It’s noticeably faster, with a sharper presentation and an impressively clean tonal foundation. What stood out is how well it performs even without high-end upstream gear or cables—it doesn’t seem too picky.

That said, compared to the AIC-10, it does miss a touch of tube-like warmth and the weighty, impactful low end. I’d say both amps are on a similar level overall, but with distinct strengths.

As a non-native speaker, my descriptions might not be exact, but I hope it gives an idea.