agile_one
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- Sep 2, 2003
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Oh, sure, I could have just tacked this on to one of the many existing threads about the SR-71, but nope, I'm starting a brand new one, because this spectacular little amp deserves it.
Per my comments from the recent S. Florida Meet, I am on a small is good kick. In this vein, the absolute, smallest is bestest creation is Ray Samuels' SR-71. What a giant killer it is!
Herein are just first impressions from an evening's listening (it ain't over yet, either), but the impact was such that I could not stop my fingers from flying to the keyboard.
Ok, so what have we got here? Ray Samuels' Audio SR-71 is a tiny, battery powered amp that defies all reason when it comes to its performance. Many others have already testified to its awesome build quality, great battery life, and spectacular sound - I heartily agree.
Since I have previously owned an HR-2, and am a present Stealth owner, I was predisposed to believe the SR-71 would be a good little amplifier, because all Ray's creations are well designed, superbly crafted, and lovingly hand built. Ordinarily I would have just ordered one on impulse, but did not - I didn't really need another amp - so I stayed on the sidelines and read everyone else's glowing reports. My first exposure was Fri, Oct 22 after picking Ray up at the Ft Lauderdale airport for our meet the next day. A few of us (gsferarri, NightWoundsTime, and I) had gone over to the east coast (of FL) from the west coast (yeah, we're bicoastal ) Fri night, 'cause it's a long trek. Getting back to the hotel (it's about midnight), Ray produces a lovely, vintage Sony D-25S and SR-71, and says, "Have a listen boys". We were up till 3:00 the next morning - all being floored by what we were hearing. I was hooked on the spot.
Flash forward to tonight - Ray built me an SR-71, and I got it yesterday. No time last night, so tonight is my first real up close and personal session with the little beauty. So, how is it going? Absolutely Fabulous (British TV and PBS acknowledgements ...)! There's nothing systematic whatsoever happening here. I am letting things evolve in a very organic manner. For the last two hours I've been listening to Neil Young and Dylan from my computer (CD's ripped in lossless format -> Windows Media Player 10 -> Xitel Pro USB -> SR-71 -> Sony MDR R-10's) as I am being lazy, and the computer lets me easily access any CD in my collection immediately.
I chose Neil and Bob because I have a long time love affair and familiarity with their music, and if I didn't get an emotional response when listening to them, I would know the SR-71 was a pretender. To start, I purposely chose Neil's "Cowgirl in the Sand" from Decade, not for its technical excellence in production or recording, but just because it has been a long time reference for me. Bad synergistic systems make me notice the technical deficencies, while good synergy just lets me hear the terrific, jamming guitar work. The SR-71 came through in a huge way - big smile as I sat back in the chair and said to myself, "Damn, Neil sure could play ...". From that point on, it's been shuffle play - just sit back and enjoy whatever came up next in the playlist.
Let me say clearly and plainly - I agree with every good thing that's been said about the SR-71. It is a breakthrough product, and a screaming bargain. I consider the money spent on it among the best audio investments I ever made.
Allow me to elaborate. I mentioned that I'm listening with R-10's, so most would agree that my headphones are adequate to the task of reproducing whatever is sent to them, good or bad. In the case of the SR-71, it's all good. As good as the Stealth or Maestro that I also own? No, but amazingly close, so far. Admittedly, nothing supremely taxing yet - no classical, jazz, or busy stuff - I'll be getting to that in the next few days. How close? How 'bout 85 - 90%? That good enough for you? That's what I'm feeling right now - and I feely admit to an emotional response - but isn't that what music is about?
So where does the SR-71 come up short vs Stealth and Maestro? Only two areas that I can tell - deep, punchy bass and extremely busy (lots of instruments, voices, etc from all over the stage at once) passages. Even in those instances, the SR-71 can fake it well enough, that without the aforementioned top tier amps to compare with, the SR-71 comes off just fine, thank you very much. Both Maestro and Stealth can push the R10's to all they are capable of in an effortless, supremely smooth fashion, but the SR-71 is like a little Jack Russell terrier among Great Danes and St Bernard dogs - it just tries harder, and grabs your attention, and you gotta love that.
Comparison with the big boys aside, the SR-71 aquits itself extremely well. Fast, accurate, dead quiet background, allows the R-10's to develop that legendary soundstage, and just get the left (or right) foot tapping to the groove.
I realize that all these comments quite non analytical, but that's just where I am right now, and I can't hold back from sharing my happiness with this great little amp.
Per my comments from the recent S. Florida Meet, I am on a small is good kick. In this vein, the absolute, smallest is bestest creation is Ray Samuels' SR-71. What a giant killer it is!
Herein are just first impressions from an evening's listening (it ain't over yet, either), but the impact was such that I could not stop my fingers from flying to the keyboard.
Ok, so what have we got here? Ray Samuels' Audio SR-71 is a tiny, battery powered amp that defies all reason when it comes to its performance. Many others have already testified to its awesome build quality, great battery life, and spectacular sound - I heartily agree.
Since I have previously owned an HR-2, and am a present Stealth owner, I was predisposed to believe the SR-71 would be a good little amplifier, because all Ray's creations are well designed, superbly crafted, and lovingly hand built. Ordinarily I would have just ordered one on impulse, but did not - I didn't really need another amp - so I stayed on the sidelines and read everyone else's glowing reports. My first exposure was Fri, Oct 22 after picking Ray up at the Ft Lauderdale airport for our meet the next day. A few of us (gsferarri, NightWoundsTime, and I) had gone over to the east coast (of FL) from the west coast (yeah, we're bicoastal ) Fri night, 'cause it's a long trek. Getting back to the hotel (it's about midnight), Ray produces a lovely, vintage Sony D-25S and SR-71, and says, "Have a listen boys". We were up till 3:00 the next morning - all being floored by what we were hearing. I was hooked on the spot.
Flash forward to tonight - Ray built me an SR-71, and I got it yesterday. No time last night, so tonight is my first real up close and personal session with the little beauty. So, how is it going? Absolutely Fabulous (British TV and PBS acknowledgements ...)! There's nothing systematic whatsoever happening here. I am letting things evolve in a very organic manner. For the last two hours I've been listening to Neil Young and Dylan from my computer (CD's ripped in lossless format -> Windows Media Player 10 -> Xitel Pro USB -> SR-71 -> Sony MDR R-10's) as I am being lazy, and the computer lets me easily access any CD in my collection immediately.
I chose Neil and Bob because I have a long time love affair and familiarity with their music, and if I didn't get an emotional response when listening to them, I would know the SR-71 was a pretender. To start, I purposely chose Neil's "Cowgirl in the Sand" from Decade, not for its technical excellence in production or recording, but just because it has been a long time reference for me. Bad synergistic systems make me notice the technical deficencies, while good synergy just lets me hear the terrific, jamming guitar work. The SR-71 came through in a huge way - big smile as I sat back in the chair and said to myself, "Damn, Neil sure could play ...". From that point on, it's been shuffle play - just sit back and enjoy whatever came up next in the playlist.
Let me say clearly and plainly - I agree with every good thing that's been said about the SR-71. It is a breakthrough product, and a screaming bargain. I consider the money spent on it among the best audio investments I ever made.
Allow me to elaborate. I mentioned that I'm listening with R-10's, so most would agree that my headphones are adequate to the task of reproducing whatever is sent to them, good or bad. In the case of the SR-71, it's all good. As good as the Stealth or Maestro that I also own? No, but amazingly close, so far. Admittedly, nothing supremely taxing yet - no classical, jazz, or busy stuff - I'll be getting to that in the next few days. How close? How 'bout 85 - 90%? That good enough for you? That's what I'm feeling right now - and I feely admit to an emotional response - but isn't that what music is about?
So where does the SR-71 come up short vs Stealth and Maestro? Only two areas that I can tell - deep, punchy bass and extremely busy (lots of instruments, voices, etc from all over the stage at once) passages. Even in those instances, the SR-71 can fake it well enough, that without the aforementioned top tier amps to compare with, the SR-71 comes off just fine, thank you very much. Both Maestro and Stealth can push the R10's to all they are capable of in an effortless, supremely smooth fashion, but the SR-71 is like a little Jack Russell terrier among Great Danes and St Bernard dogs - it just tries harder, and grabs your attention, and you gotta love that.
Comparison with the big boys aside, the SR-71 aquits itself extremely well. Fast, accurate, dead quiet background, allows the R-10's to develop that legendary soundstage, and just get the left (or right) foot tapping to the groove.
I realize that all these comments quite non analytical, but that's just where I am right now, and I can't hold back from sharing my happiness with this great little amp.
