I do run mine higher, volume pot at 6, with a similar voltage with the test track at 85 for my casual listening. I find that’s the level needed for Susvara to open up for my enjoyment. Clearly will vary by individual.
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Thanks. Well I have read good things about the Hsa1b/Susvara together…Torq for one liked it among others I’ve seen. I’m just kind of paralyzed on deciding my next move.
I originally saved up to upgrade my system to either a Holo Dac (undecided whether that would be Spring3 KTE or go all out for the May) or Tubes. Something in the 3-6k range but can’t come to a clear choice there either.
Then I thought…maybe I should just get the LCD5 first. Which should be great in my current setup…giving me a big upgrade in SQ in one shot and upgrade components next. Which lead me to…”Well for about the same $, I could get my dream cans, the Susvara first and then upgrade my setup”….
Which leaves me where I am currently….with no new gear and no closer to deciding than I was a month ago.
Eventually I’ll figure it out and just make a move…I think!!!??? 
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated
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I completely get where you’re coming from. I’ve been like this for a while trying to figure out my dac change. I currently have the tt2. Wanted something different, more weight and organic. I ended up getting the holo may as I didn’t want to spend 3k more to pick up a totaldac d1 single-mk2. Maybe I’ll take that jump down the road. The may will give me an idea if I’ll like r2r.
I was just about all in on a stratus and was going to use sennheisers and some Focals and be set. But I wanted to try the susvara on a solid setup so I took the jump to try. I’m glad I did. I liked the stratus a lot, and if it could drive the sus I would have went that route but it couldn’t. The wa33 can and it’s an amazing pairing imo. And I can run my sennheisers off it too and it’s still enjoyable. Same with Focals.
I’d like to hear the lcd5 too, but not atm lol. I want to get this holo may in, see how it pairs, then eventually get some better tubes.
It’s definitely a hard choice where you’re at. Maybe try to get a sus on demo? Maybe try to hear it on a setup somewhere?
Really no right answers tho, just do what you think will make you happy. 
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How are you liking the wavedream? I thought about that as an upgrade.
This was exactly my dilemma… I almost put down my deposit on a Stratus a number of times to get in the queue but always second guessed it knowing I want the Sus eventually.
The Susvara really complicates 
for me.lol
Maybe I should look for a tube amp at a lower amount (maybe a little more midrange) that has preamp capability and doesn’t have to be able to drive everything. Don’t know what that might be off the top of my head. Then I’d have tubes for 90% of other headphones and get one kickass SS that I can put tubes in front of for Sus.
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More looking for feedback and semi-question, if that makes sense.
I’ve been more a casual enthuesist to the hobby. I own Sennhieser HD600 (about twenty years old new), Etyomptic Research 4T, and couple pairs for Etyomptic Research 4RE (for my parents to use). Had a Headphone Cosmic headphone amp, but it got short and burned out, and one of their portable headphone amps that runs off 4 AAA batteries.
All the stuff mentioned above is at my parent’s house since I move for graduate school. I current have a Steelseries Artics 3, Soundpeats–H1, True Engine 3E, SP true free. Nothing expensive or near audiophile-esk in sound. On a side note, I do like H1 since they’re the lease bassy; I like bass, but I’m not a bass head. I think they’re a good value for $50-$60
I’ve gotten to where I want a better listening experience again. I recently the Fiio BTR5 because I hear in can run the HD600s; I’ve been without an amp for years for them. I do like something portable because I will use things on the go. I use tend to use across multiple sources. From what I can tell, it’s within the range for Artics, so it should improve them.
I’m seriously considering buying the Focal Stellia. It looks like I may be able to pick up a pair for around $2100. It appears the BTR5 can be able to power Stellia’s well. If I do, should I get an 2.5mm balance cable? If so, any suggestions. Along the same lines, should I replace/upgrade the 3.5mm unbalance cable? I heard/saw the cable suffer from microphonics. If so, any suggestions on brand. I would get a cable about 4 to 6 feet (2m). I really don’t want more than $200 per cable. Given the length, a lot cable factors don’t have significant factors beyond shielding and build quality. It is nice they have so many choices to make it fit your tastes.
Thank you for any input. Have a nice day.
When I did internet search, I’ve seen anything from cheaper Chinese cables to very expensive beautique. Arctic Cables nice, but it is bit overwhelming since all the options. I can’t figure out the differences between the different series, and do not know the differences from the connection options (I know the difference between 3.5mm, 2.5mm, XLR, etc), and welding materials.
I also find Meze Audio 99 cables on Amazon well within my budget. There’s a guy who sells on Ebay (2.5mm BALANCED Audio Cable For Focal Elegia Elear Clear Elex Clear Pro Stellia | eBay).
I also saw Lavricables, Black Dragon, and Danacable (way too expensive on every model) are more than I want to spend. They look nice though.
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We often recommend Hart Audio Cables as a quality system with interchangeable segments. You can get a very versatile setup for around $200.
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Could always look at LQI cables. I’ve never had any issues with them. Good sound and quality.
If I’m ever in the market for a budget cable, thats who I look to.
It should be fine to drive a Stellia from your BTR5 - it is easy to drive and I’ve successfully driven my Stellia from an iPod Touch and an iFi Audio GO Blu.
But are you sure you want to jump straight into a $2000 headphone?
Depending on if you’re looking for an open or close back headphone, a new Focal Clear or Focal Celestee would be less than half the price of the used Stellia and can also be driven from your BTR5. Or I see headphones.com has a deal where you can bundle the Clear and Celestee for a discounted price for less than the Stellia.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my Stellia and highly recommend it, I’m just suggesting that you may be able meet your needs for a lot less money. Also, you mentioned you’re not a bass head, and the Stellia has a lot of bass relative to the rest of the range.
Irrespective of which headphone you buy, if you end up with a Focal, the supplied cable should come with a 3.5mm connector and a 1/4 inch adapter. I’d suggest using the stock cable first to see if you get good sound using the 3.5mm. For instance, I’ve tried both 4.4mm and 3.5mm cables connecting my Stellia to my GO Blu and I preferred the 3.5mm because the lower power of that output on the GO Blue allowed me to have more use of the volume control.
If you do want to buy a new set of cables, there are plenty of well-regarded companies, but as @generic mentioned, Hart might fit your needs because you can start building up a collection of different connectors and cables, e.g. if you want to use the same cable for Focal and Sennheiser, you can order headphone connectors for both; if you ever need an XLR connector in the future, you just order one of those when the time comes. You just click together the cables and connectors that you need.
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My opinion is that the Rockna Wavedream SE is very good at spatial imaging and soundstage, I did found the bass can be a bit of overwhelming with the Sennheiser HD650. It is a upgrade from my Schiit Yggdrasil A2 Unison now is called the OG I think, if you ever heard one.
It is quite expensive I would recommended you to audition it yourself beforehand.
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Yeah, that sounds like what I’ve been told before. Seems nice lol.
I just got the may. Still early on in my listening but it’s pretty good. Need more time, but I think the wavedream would fit my taste for sure.
am I fully certain, probably not? I saw the deal for the Clear and Celeste. Very tempting. I still own the HD600. I can get my parents to ship it to me if needed. I was very happy with them. Although, I do need to replace the headband padding. I think I may have damaged one of the voice coils, but it was only noticeable at very loud volumes. Yes, I have hearing loss and a touch of tinnitus, which I only hear if it is very quiet. Booming cars and extremely headphones can do that, LOL. I’m going to be one of those old farts you can hear the TV down the street, LOL.
Thus, I’m really looking for a closed-back set of cans. From several reviews (read/watched), they should fit my needs towards music–lots of rock, some hip/hop, R&B, rap, and country (more towards to rock side). I do enjoy the 600s more open staging. From the reviews, the Sennheiser’s have other sound issues that don’t sit well.
When I want something really good, I am willing to spend money on it. I spent over $8000 on my hometheater setup, which my parents get to enjoy. I purchased all that equipment about 15 years ago.
The cable issue is more to take advantage of the BTR5’s balanced power output. The balanced output uses the 2.5mm pole.
You are right, it’s a lot of money for a set of cans. The way I see it, if you have a great set, take care of them, they’ll last for a lifetime. Not too many items we can purchase are we able to say about.
Nonetheless, I appreciate the suggestions.
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Ferrum Oor stack is EXCELLENT with Susvara - could not ask for anything more, and the price is a good value. I’ve also got an Enleum 23R but that is still breaking in. I’ve got an Auris Nirvana tube amp that drives the Susvara very nicely; for non-Susvara duty, I’ve got Eddie Current Studio B, and a Stratus on the way which I’ll hopefully get by late summer!
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Very nice. Yeah, I think if I get a ss eventually it’ll be the 23r or ferrum stack.
Still figuring out the dac situation. Have the holo may atm, seeing how it compares to the tt2. Both are solid imo. Both have their pros and cons.
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If you’re looking for quality cables, I can’t recommend Audiophile Ninja (www.audiophileninja.com) enough. Jeremy makes super-quality cables for a fair price, with great customer service and communication.
As for the Stellia, go for it! The best closed-back headphone I’ve heard. I’m jealous! 
Do you prefer the Stellia to the ZMF Verite Closed? I have the Verite Open and like it very much in appearance, comfort and SQ. I’ve never listened to Focals so I have no experiential opinion but am hugely interested in checking them out some day.
I replaced my Focal Elegia’s stock cable with one from Hart (HC-9). The main reason I changed cables is that the stock cable is annoyingly stiff. Being able to swap out the connection from 1/4" to something else is a bonus feature.
Ferrum (Iron) is good Polish Hi-Fi.
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It is excellent hi-fi; over the past several years, so much superb high-end gear has been coming from Eastern Europe…
so… hypothetical question
Lets say a person was looking for something that was like an er2xr (or sr), but turned up to 11. What would you buy? I have to think Ety has no intentions of bringing a higher end er2 to the market, so what’d be the options (dynamic only this time - I have more than enough BAs right now)