SAEQ Impressions Thread
Jun 16, 2024 at 3:24 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 214

Kiats

Headphoneus Supremus
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SAEQ is Serbian Audio Equipment. Dragan Domanovic @Proxima Centauri , who is the owner and main designer, was telling me that they like to think that they are in the business of happiness. :) I first came across SAEQ as the makers of the direct drive amps for the RAAL Requisite ribbon HPs. So, when @Uncle Wilson from Jaben SG told me back in May 2023 that he had brought in the entire range of the SAEQ amplifiers, beyond the ones for RAAL ribbon HPs, I happily took the Hyperion Ge for a spin.

There is actually a very nice write up about them: https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/am...ws/saeq-hyperion-ge-and-raal-requisite-ca-1a/

The genesis of this thread will be the posts I have made about the SAEQ amps which I have posted in various threads. I think it makes sense now to consolidate them into this thread for a single source of information and impressions for SAEQ amplifiers and other products. As we go along, I shall post these consolidated impressions. :)

You can also read more about Dragan and his journey here: https://saeq-audio.com/about-us
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Jun 16, 2024 at 6:57 AM Post #2 of 214
When I first read on the SAEQ website about the Hyperion Ge, I was wondering if there was some exaggeration on the opulent yet transparent sound from the Ge. Well… after a couple of days with the Ge (which is new in box, thanks to Wilson from Jaben Singapore), I will say that I am very impressed with it. I have been listening primarily via the TI-1b and SR-1a. I have also tried the Hifiman HE-6 out of it. I did not realise it but I was actually listening to the HE-6 on low gain, albeit via the direct drive side of the outputs. And it was at around 10/24. At low gain! That was surprising indeed! The HE-6 is one of the most difficult to drive HPs around and I had it on low gain. That must be a first!

On the Ge, it has a very refined sound signature, yet vibrant and life like. It is very impressive with the SR-1a as well the HE-6: lush yet transparent and full of details. Kudos to the SAEQ team! And I can understand why @Aleksandar R. works with Dragan and the SAEQ team for the amps for the RAAL Requisite HPs. :)

I am currently continuing on my voyage of exploration with the SAEQ Hyperion Ge. This time with the CA-1a via the 16 ohm input. The Ge really shows its muscle. I am listening at 5/24. High gain on direct drive. The reason I decided to try 16 ohm input was after reading this review of the Ge: https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/am...ws/saeq-hyperion-ge-and-raal-requisite-ca-1a/

I agree with the reviewer that out of the 16 ohm input of the TI-1b from the Ge, the CA-1a sounds fuller. Interesting but great tip.

The CA-1a has never sounded more lush and organic while retaining its great transparency. There is just such a beautiful presentation of the music by the Ge. I am truly impressed by the Ge. Dragan was very clear what he wanted to do wIth the addition of Germanium transistors. And there is no doubt in my mind that he has achieved that with the Ge. Sarah Alainn has never sounded so mesmerising. :)

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Jun 16, 2024 at 7:11 AM Post #3 of 214
The Ge was designed to be lush and yet highly resolving and transparent. Interesting combination. This is because of the Germanium transistors used.

I have listening to the Susvara off it. On direct drive, on low gain at 8/24. I am really enjoying it: beautiful organic sound signature with a sheen of opulence. And the details are impressive. Whilst never coming across as digital or clinical. Very potent and intoxicating combination.

Not surprising, I suppose, that it is as powerful as it is. Considering it is designed to drive speakers as well.

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Jun 16, 2024 at 7:14 AM Post #4 of 214
I have been listening to my more difficult to drive HPs on this amplifier from SAEQ called Hyperion Ge. This is a loaner courtesy of the kindness of @Uncle Wilson from Jaben SG. Wilson brought in the entire range of amplifiers from SAEQ (as well as their interconnects). I have been sharing my impressions as it is not always easy to find an amplifier that will drive the HPs whilst being enjoyable: lush yet highly detailed.

The SAEQ (Serbian Audio Equipment) is owned by Dragaon Domanovic. He is also the main designer. I originally came across SAEQ because of direct drive amplifiers that they designed and built to drive RAAL Requisite ribbon HPs. So, when i went to collect my HSA-1c (which drives both ribbon HPs as well as planar and dynamic HPs), and Wilson suggested I give the the Hyperion Ge, I jumped on the opportunity to try it out since I had read about the Hyperion Ge on this review: https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/am...ws/saeq-hyperion-ge-and-raal-requisite-ca-1a/

A HP amp which can also drive speakers?! Wow! Most audiophiles will use speaker amps to drive HPs but this is the first time I have heard of a HP amp which is powerful enough to drive speakers.

I read more about the Ge: Dragan wanted to use Germanium transistors which would give a lush signature whilst still being realistic and detailed. Germanium was used between the 1950s and 1970s and abandoned because it was too expensive for mass production.

Anyway, after spending some time with the Ge. Through the attenuated output as well as the direct output. Each seems to have slightly different tonality. The attenuated output seems to be sweeter. I am enjoying the effortless sound signature of the Ge on the LCD4. It does make the LCD4 sound any warmer but does allow through great details and nuances.

Well, if you are in Singapore, you are in luck! Because Jaben SG has this in stock. I shall also be trying out the PDA-1b and the Morpheus, both of which have attenuated output and direct out put as options. Exciting times ahead!

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Jun 16, 2024 at 7:15 AM Post #5 of 214
I welcomed back the OG Abyss 1266 on Wed night. A very dear friend whom I had lent the Abyss before Covid overtook all of us was visiting Singapore. So, I decided to put the Abyss on for some listening.

It hapens that I have been trying out the SAEQ Hyperion Ge. SAEQ is Serbian Audio Equipment. Dragan Domanovic, who is the owner and main designer, was telling me that they like to think that they are in the business of happiness. :) I first came across SAEQ as the makers of the direct drive amps for the RAAL Requisite ribbon HPs. So, when Wilson from Jaben SG told me that he had brought in the entire range of the SAEQ amplifiers, beyond the ones for RAAL ribbon HPs, I happily took the Hyperion Ge for a spin.

There is actually a very nice write up about them: https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/am...ws/saeq-hyperion-ge-and-raal-requisite-ca-1a/

The Ge was designed to be lush and yet highly resolving and transparent. Interesting combination. This is because of the Germanium transistors used.

The Hyperion Ge has been effortlessly driving difficult to drive cans like the HE-6 and Susvara. So, I thought I’d take the Abyss for a spin on the Hyperion Ge. On direct drive, on hight gain at 5/24. I am really enjoying it: beautiful organic sound signature with a sheen of opulence. And the details are impressive. Whilst never coming across as digital or clinical. Very potent and intoxicating combination. Remember how everyone used to complain about the OG Abyss having recessed mids? Well, no such issues on the Ge. While retaining the incredible soundstage and visceral bass.

The Ge is designed to drive speakers as well, as you can see from the front panel. It is no wonder that it is as powerful as it is. But yet so refined.

I shall be trying out the rest of the SAEQ amp series, like the PDA-1b and the Morpheus In the next few weeks. Courtesy of Jaben SG. Let’s see where this journey of exploration takes me. It will be a happy couple of weeks until my birthday when I shall decide if I should keep the Ge. Hedonistic perhaps. But when it drives the Abyss, the Susvara, HE-6 and LCD4 effortlessly with such authority... :)


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Jun 16, 2024 at 7:17 AM Post #6 of 214
I have also been listening to the flagship amplifier from the SAEQ team: the Hyperion Ge. The interesting thing about the Hyperion Ge is that it uses Germanium transistors which were discontinued from common use in the 1970s because of the costs involved. What do you get in return for the additional cost? An intoxicating and opulent mix of big soundstage, great note weight, a sheen of romance, whilst still remaining transparent and detailed. The stand out feature for me is the staggering sound saturation. Very rarely have I felt as much cocooned in the sound field of the MS 3.2.

The Ge is also great with the classic hard to drive planars like the Susvara, Abyss and HE-6. With plenty of power to spare. And yet my easy to drive headphones like the Fostex TH900 and ES-R10 sound excellent off it too. It is also a speaker amp to boot. That sort of explains why it is so powerful. :)

I have been floating in the warm embrace of the Ge since I brought it back from Jaben Singapore for further listening. Big thanks to @Uncle Wilson of Jaben SG! :)

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Jun 16, 2024 at 7:22 AM Post #7 of 214
I had the pleasure to listen to both the OG Utopia and Utopia 2022 on an amplifier that I have been demoing from Jaben Singapore courtesy of Wilson. The SAEQ Morpheus, appropriately named after the God of Dreams.

Dragan Domanovic, the owner of SAEQ (Serbian Audio EQuipment), was telling me that the Morpheus was so named because of the pleasure the team and he wanted to bring to listeners. As he half jokingly tells me: they are not in the audio business but actually in the business of happiness.

I am working my way through the SEAQ range of headphone amplifiers that Jaben Singapore has brought in. The Morpheus is actually the most affordable in the range. I am surprised because it is a most excellent amplifier if you are looking for an amplifier that balances performance and a subtle lushness/organic signature. I also like it because it is so adaptable whether for powerful planars or easier to drive HPs like the Utopia: there are 3 input attenuations for XLR input, just as for output there are 3 attenuations as well.

With the Morpheus, I find that both Utopia have excellent note weight, bigger soundstage, and yet there is much more nuances and layering. Whilst the Utopias are undoubtedly easy to drive, they do scale up nicely with quality desktop amplification. :)
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Jun 16, 2024 at 7:45 AM Post #8 of 214
Following :) I should be getting my PDA-1b in about a month from now :wink:
 
Jun 16, 2024 at 9:01 AM Post #9 of 214
Following :) I should be getting my PDA-1b in about a month from now :wink:

Congratulations! It is a great amp! If I did not have the HSA-1C for driving both ribbon HPs and normal HPs, I’d get the PDA-1b for sure. It drives even the Susvara with such authority! I look forward to reading about your journey when it arrives. :)

I had previously described to Dragan that the PDA-1b and HSA-1C as being the Ferraris in his stable of amps, where the technical performance was unparalleled and uncompromising whilst the Hyperion Ge and Morpheus are the Rolls Royces of the stable: top notch technical performance while offering that touch of luxury and lushness. :)

While you await your PDA-1b, let me share this review to let everyone know the treat you are in for: https://www.headfonia.com/saeq-audio-pda-1b-review/
 
Jun 16, 2024 at 9:04 AM Post #10 of 214
Congratulations! It is a great amp! If I did not have the HSA-1C for driving both ribbon HPs and normal HPs, I’d get the PDA-1b for sure. It drives even the Susvara with such authority! I look forward to reading about your journey when it arrives. :)

I had previously described to Dragan that the PDA-1b and HSA-1C as being the Ferraris in his stable of amps, where the technical performance was unparalleled and uncompromising whilst the Hyperion Ge and Morpheus are the Rolls Royces of the stable: top notch technical performance while offering that touch of luxury and lushness. :)

While you await your PDA-1b, let me share this review to let everyone know the treat you are in for: https://www.headfonia.com/saeq-audio-pda-1b-review/
I think Dragan needs to invest more into hyping some of SAEQ gear, it is very rarely known by people and apparently whoever tries it falls in love pretty soon!
 
Jun 16, 2024 at 9:13 AM Post #11 of 214
I think Dragan needs to invest more into hyping some of SAEQ gear, it is very rarely known by people and apparently whoever tries it falls in love pretty soon!

Haha! Dragan is a good man but he is also so humble. Yet so passionate about what he does.

I think he is starting to get more reviews done of his amps. For which I am glad.

I am eagerly waiting for my own Armageddon. A serious health issue prevented me attending CJ SG and meeting Dragan in person this year. From what I hear, it will be outstanding. And a good complement to the HSA-1C and Hyperion Ge. :)
 
Jun 16, 2024 at 9:15 AM Post #12 of 214
Jun 16, 2024 at 9:25 AM Post #13 of 214
We gotta see the innards.
 
Jun 16, 2024 at 12:30 PM Post #15 of 214
A little few questions, Hyperion Ge and Armageddon both are rated at the same 30w/4 ohms while there's a difference at 32 ohm rating.
If there's a difference in terms of what it's all about for speakers, and if 30W/4 ohms is usually enough for a fairly easy to drive speakers (Arendal 1723 THX ) especially for AV.
 

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