The HSA-1a/SR1a combination has, again, consumed my listening time this week, excepting a bit on the deck with the Vérite Closed to enjoy the nice weather/view.
And that has allowed me to get my HSA-1a review completed, as far as possible, ahead of receiving the updated unit (with the 2nd output swapped to drive conventional headphones).
I’m champing at the bit to get the updated HSA-1a as, if its performance with conventional headphones is close to that of what it delivers with the HSA-1a, it’s going to mark another upheaval in my headphone systems and likely those of many others - especially those that had any reservations bout the SR1a vs. their normal collection.
Details will have to wait for my review … but at the end of my original SR1a review I said:
The RAAL-requisite SR1a rapidly established itself as my favorite headphone, ever … and I say that based on having heard every flagship can I know of (and on owning most of them). They are so good, they likely mark a major hiatus in my reviewing headphones.
This bloody thing has made me fall in love with the SR1a all over again … and I was never “out of love” with them in the first place … they’ve been utterly magnificent since the very first listen.
Had it all out on the deck, fed from the Hugo M-Scaler/Hugo TT 2 this morning … and probably should have taken pictures (maybe I’ll do that again here in a bit, if the weather holds … skies and water are very pretty right now, if heading towards “threatening”).
The HSA-1a/SR1a combination really does turn the SR1a up to “11”, maybe even “12”.
Due to all the virus-related lockdown stuff, our (work/lab) anechoic chamber is free this coming week, and I am seriously contemplating taking this rig into that and doing some super-critical listening (will likely take the Jotunheim R too if I do it at all). After all, it’s one thing listening in my now-unusually-quiet home (amazing how much quieter it is with NO traffic), and another entirely when the ambient noise level is <0 dBA …
With the Jotunheim R, and even the Chord Étude/Interface, I had contemplated, occasionally, adding a tube-buffer for some specific pieces/moods. I have NO desire to do that with the HSA-1a driving the SR1a.
I’m looking forward to seeing the updated model and hearing your thoughts on it! Also I really like this picture as it gives a good perspective of size and how it would sit on my desk potentially… If it is on par with the Phonitor XE, I may end up putting it and the Jotunheim R up for sale and consolidate my collection a little bit.
It’s a couple of inches narrower than the Phonitor X/XE, and about an inch and a half deeper, while being maybe a bit under half an inch less-tall, and 2 lbs heavier.
No pre-outs (which you don’t have on the XE anyway), but can, of course, drive efficient speakers.
Very real possibility it replaces my Phonitor X if the conventional headphone output measures up to the Phonitor X. Though I will miss the VU-meters and Matrix functions.
Not even the mighty AB-1266 Phi TC can do bass-resolution, texture and speed this well.
Yes, the Abyss is slightly more visceral and has a tad more impact on the low-end, and plays deeper (without EQ), but the difference isn’t that big (and barely discernible with EQ) …
Originally I had a sub-bass shelf applied, along with a bass lift. But with the Chord Étude/Interace or Jotunheim R that’s not been necessary. Less so, even then, with the HSA-1a.
EQ is only “needed” if you don’t like studio-neutral/true-neutral. And if/when you do apply EQ … there’s no other headphone on Earth that takes it as well, even to extreme levels.
If you’re a volumetric bass-head, you’ll probably want +3 to +6 dB under 33 Hz, and +1 to 3 dB from 33 Hz to 40 Hz … at which point you’re within 1, maybe 2% of a perfectly fitted AB-1266 Phi CC/TC.
But nothing you can do will bring the AB-1266 Phi TC, Susvara, LCD-4, HEDDphone or any other headphone, to the same level of articulation, detail, speed or textural nuance in the bass as the SR1a.
Based on the picture of the rear of the HSA-1a on RAAL-Requisite’s website, it’s fair to expect a circum-aural version of ribbon headphones down the line. If it performs as good as the SR1a and they get the comfort right, I can see a massive disruption of my collection and a great consolidation of my rig. We shall see…
I must add that this little box will be ultra versatile having the ability to drive both Earfield and Circum-aural ribbon headphones, normal headphones including hard-to-drive ones and speakers. If the performance driving the SR1a reported by @Torq ends up being similar for normal headphones, this box is going to be very disruptive and a steal at $3.9k.
If the reports are positive, one will only need to worry about having a good DAC and use the $$$ to keep increasing the headphone collection or just call it a day! I can’t wait to check it out…
I’m with you! With this (hopefully) and a end game tube amp… I can cull my collection to just headphones I want hopefully lol I’ll probably sell my Phonitor XE and Cayin Ha-1amkii maybe even quit audio for awhile until something better comes along
Fingers crossed for the HSA-1a performance with normal cans…I’ll most likely follow the same path, downsize the number of boxes I currently have, get an end game tube amp and enjoy music until something else as disruptive comes!
hopefully lol I’ll probably sell my Phonitor XE and Cayin Ha-1amkii maybe even quit audio for awhile until something better comes along 
