RSA SR71b, quad mono balanced. img. 1 & 17 Review pg 32, 34, 68, UPDATED 4/2013 for Improved sound.

[fhuang]

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I have sent my 71b in for an update. The gain will be increased so it will be like the Intruder and there are some other updates that affect the sound. I am really looking forward to this, it will be like an all new 71b!!

 
 
the update is just going to add gain to the high gain only or mid gain?  the low gain would stay the same(about the same)?

 

[jamato8]

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Please provide more background on the "other updates".

From what I understand the gain increased to the same as the Intruder and some other changes were made that enhance the sound.
 
Low gain I assume is the same.

 

[Audio Addict]

I have had mine updated as well.

 

[jamato8]

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I have had mine updated as well.

Do you have it back?

 

[Audio Addict]

Do you have it back?

Yes. I honestly only thought Ray changed the high gain so it drove my HE6 easier. It does that with ease.


After seeing this updated thread, I contacted Ray. He said also updated as you mentioned. These changes are to even make it even more crystal clear. All I know is really enjoy listening to it balanced from my Meridian into the HE6s

 

[jamato8]

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Yes. I honestly only thought Ray changed the high gain so it drove my HE6 easier. It does that with ease.


After seeing this updated thread, I contacted Ray. He said also updated as you mentioned. These changes are to even make it even more crystal clear. All I know is really enjoy listening to it balanced from my Meridian into the HE6s

I am anxious to get mine back. I really like the size of it and the Intruder, oh and the sound. With an improvement to the sound, things only keep getting better!

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

I had this done months ago, thinking it was a one-off favor and tried not to get Ray swamped with requests for it.  In the end, if one does NOT have an HE-6 I'm not sure you really need the extra gain.  I'm only realizing an extra couple of dB of volume out of the HE-6 before clipping, thanks to the higher gain of 21 (I think).  For some people who don't have an amp strong enough to drive the HE-6 that would be a godsend.  
 
Max volume with more efficient phones isn't really different, although it did make the SR-71b slightly more authoritative with both the LCD-2 and HE-500 vs the DACmini that I have been using in the bedroom rig.  But it mostly means that I can hit clipping much sooner on the volume knob than before, although it doesn't occur at any lessor max volume levels than before - i.e. it's insanely loud with HE-500 and LCD-2.  The SR-71b is quite good driving my balanced LCD-2 and HE-500 when I want a little more warmth, bass punch, and smooth treble than my usual mid-level desktop amps offer.  That hasn't seemed to change.
 
Overall, I think the Intruder may just be a slightly better amp to start with, and I've considered selling the SR-71b Blackbird for the Intruder.  But I'm not listening with portable amps much these days, and so I didn't want to take the hit when I have many small desktop DAC/amps to pair with my Macbook Pro that do the job just fine.  If I was buying a new balanced portable and I didn't already have the SR-71b then I'd likely jump right up to the Intruder as my initial purchase.

 

[wolfen68]

I sent my SR71B off today to get converted to a "Rev. 2".  According to Ray, besides the gain the update will offer sound improvements.  I've seen others refer to improved soundstage and clarity...I guess I'll have to wait and find out.
 
I was always very happy with the SR71B.  My only complaint I could ever come up with is that the single ended was good but not stellar...and I always wondered how one could ever source a third party battery if necessity required.

 

[jamato8]

I got my 71b back today. Fast turnaround! 
 
I am letting it run in some but I can say that dynamics are not in questions and transparency is excellent. Very good depth, no excellent depth. R and L channel balance are spot on from zero all the way to, well more volume than I would listen to. 
 
After an hour. Wow.

 

[jamato8]

Ahhhh, such clarity and purity of sound. What a joy this revised 71b is. So sweet yet no dulling of the detail and so very open and liquid. A joy.

 

[wolfen68]

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Ahhhh, such clarity and purity of sound. What a joy this revised 71b is. So sweet yet no dulling of the detail and so very open and liquid. A joy.

Does it sound like your Intruder now or does it seem different?

 

[jamato8]

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Does it sound like your Intruder now or does it seem different?

I haven't really compared them yet. Since there were some changes to the 71b, I assume there are a couple of components to burn in so giving it some time. 

 

[wolfen68]

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I haven't really compared them yet. Since there were some changes to the 71b, I assume there are a couple of components to burn in so giving it some time. 

I just got mine back...I haven't listened much but it seems a little brighter/clearer..I noticed a touch of sibilance on a song where I hadn't noticed before.  I'll have to spend more time with it.
 
Quick question....to slide the internals from one chassis to another (using the same faceplates) is there any need to remove the volume knob?

 

[jamato8]

Quote:

I just got mine back...I haven't listened much but it seems a little brighter/clearer..I noticed a touch of sibilance on a song where I hadn't noticed before.  I'll have to spend more time with it.
 
Quick question....to slide the internals from one chassis to another (using the same faceplates) is there any need to remove the volume knob?

If you take off the front faceplate, then you shouldn't need to remove the volume control, from what I remember. There is a quick way to find out, call Ray or try it. :^) 
 
Edit, That may not work. I haven't taken one apart. I would email Ray.

 

[blackwolf05]

Hey guys, 
 
Just wanted to chime in on the sr71b. I recently bought one on the forums for my LCD2s after selling my alo rx mk3b. I sold the rx because I felt it provided excessive power to all of my headphones and it showed in the sound. It was great with my LCD2s, but I could only turn the knob up a bit until it was too loud for me. I felt music too overamplified for my taste. I own an rsa mustang, which was my first amp and I felt I got more than my money's worth for that amp. It drove my magnum grado's beautifully, but as always I got curious on the more expensive amps. 
 
When I first listened to the sr71b, I knew I made the right choice. Everything sounded clear and crisp, it was a better version of my mustang. I heard about the sound upgrade from Ray and I could not decide wether or not to send it because I was very happy with it, but Ray assured me it was worth it, so I did it. 
 
I got it back a couple of days ago and ohh boy was it worth it. I did not think it could get any better but it did. The higher gain is not overwhelming like the RXmk3, it is perfect. I even got a call from Ray telling me when he was shipping my unit and that he will ship it regardless of when I payed the return shipping costs. This is top notch customer service!!