Would you consider an espresso machine to be “electronic”? That’s my new rabbit hole. . . .
I see a few wires, but no tubes. So not electronic. More steam.
http://dailycoffeenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/steampunk-coffee-machine.jpg
3 Likes
I’m not familiar with the depreciation and reliability of espresso machines. Most electronics either break or go obsolete really fast. However, I do recall being shocked by a $1,000 price tag on an imported Italian espresso machine with super flimsy “pre-broken” switches!
The old copper and brass style probably hold their value???
1 Like
There is a growing community of people who love to restore classic machines, especially the fully manual ones. But even some semi manual less expensive consumer machines like the Rancillio Silvia, which has been around for about 20 years, retains at least 50% of its value on the used market and is often modified and tinkered with. Electronic components are relatively simple, inexpensive and easy to find. It’s the HD 650 of espresso machines.
1 Like
Ok, 2nd night with these…first the bad…I almost blew my ears out…I forgot to lower the volume on my RME ADI-2C after using it with my Phonitor XE and Verite last night before bed…luckily I unplug everything before shutting down, and I hadn’t plugged in the SR1a yet…noticed the volume and was like “Whoa” good thing I didn’t have those plugged in and on my head lol.
Next up is, trying to get the fit right is ongoing, battling how I have them flared out and matched and placement on my head.
But, these are super comfortable as they just kind of "float on your head and depending on how flared out you have the speakers they probably won’t even touch your ears. The extra back of the head strap really keeps them in place without being uncomfortable, I don’t even notice it on my head to be honest.
Sound wise…phenomenal/fantastic/unreal… these are detail and imaging monsters! I think if you are a fan of HD800, Focal Clear/Utopia then these are right up your alley and are probably endgame for a long time coming.
The clarity, tone, everything really just for me at least is spot on to what I like most of the time. For the rest of the time I have my new beloved ZMF cans 
Also I’m paired with a singular Vidar for now…and I have heard them with two Vidars in mono config, and I will say with that they did seem slightly better, but if I had never heard them in that config, I probably couldn’t imagine these sounding any better than they do right now.
I’m trying them on with Spotify Premium right now…and I can tell the difference between the same songs played through lossless Qobuz Studio…but it is similar to the Vidar vs dual mono Vidar scenario…if I didn’t know about Qobuz/Tidal…I would still be blown away.
Going to be out of town for the weekend, so I’m going to miss these…I look forward to the trip but I’m looking forward to Sunday, when I can get these back on my skull!
11 Likes
These sound like quite the experience. Congratulations and enjoy your new cans. 
1 Like
So, they purport to be more like speakers than other headphones. A soundstage in front of you, not like having the musicians and instruments somewhere in your skull. (I think my braincase has plenty of room…).
Is this so? Aside from having the stage swing around when you turn your head, is it more like listening to good speakers or a live event?
2 Likes
Yes, so far that is more akin to what I’m getting out of them…
But, a cheaper alternative to these that does a similar speaker feel is the Audeze Möbius with its full surround DSP turned on, on a PC or Mac, but it isn’t even close, to the imaging and detail the SR1A has.
1 Like
In my very personal perception, I agree to everything said regarding detail, transparency, speed etc., but I never got the „just like speakers“ analogy, even with the wings flared out quite a bit. Very wide and detailed soundstage that clearly extends way beyond the ribbons left and right, but on an axis clearly on a line with my ears, not something in front of me like with speakers, or anything like that experience. Nothing wrong with that, they are headphones after all, and I like that braincase experience anyway, but maybe that‘s just me.
That said, I have the recurring thought, whenever I feel that the SR1a‘s bass is a little too light for a specific album or track, of adding a subwoofer, also for the physical effect. Could be nice, will try that when I get to it.
3 Likes
Have you tried pushing the drivers as far forward as the back strap would allow? That deepens the imaging for me. Definitely not “just like speakers”, but not headphone imaging either.
4 Likes
Yes, I have put the back strap in the outer holes on both sides so it is at the longest available preset, as I have quite a big head. And that‘s where I perceive the soundstage to be - the middle part somewhere in the area where my eyes are, and going backwards left and right slightly receding to the axis where my ears are. Very open, wide and detailed, for sure, and not as encapsulated and closed as often with headphones, you‘re right of course, yet to me just not „just like speakers!“ but rather „what a nice wide and open headphone!“
2 Likes
Can SR1a represent soundstage depth properly or is it too flat ?
What I perceive as properly (which I do) might be too flat in your perception, so there’s no way of telling unless you give the SR1a a proper audition. Which I would encourage you to do in any case, it’s worth it
1 Like
Very true . Thanks a lot !
Perceived localization is very subjective and highly associated with one’s audiophile origin. It’s not surprising that people differ in considering SR1a closer to either speakers or headphones. Note even speaker experience varies relying on setup, placement, etc.
That said, to me SR1a is a weighted combination between headphones and (far field) speakers (70-30 ratio perhaps?) experience when property eqed.
4 Likes
Speaking of which, crossfeeding channels and applying a bit of down tilting room gain greatly improved depth and distance localization, more evidently than any other headphones I treated in the same way.
3 Likes
Starting to think I’m the only one using the SR1a without the back-strap …
2 Likes
All my “primary rig” time is still on these … with the Linn amp (still awaiting MY Étude).
All my other listen is with various chains into the Vérité Ziricote …
3 Likes
This is pretty much me right now…except on occasion I throw on my Aeoulus. Also I have the the lovely single Vidar…Still trying to figure out how I would place a second for Mono level play…probably where my ADI-2DAC is currently then move the ADI-2DAC up to the second shelf. Oh side note…my EC ZDT Jr… it has an odd constant “crinkle” sound in the left channel…swapped tubes still there… odd because it wasn’t there initially…I’ll try placing it elsewhere and see if that helps and swap power cables/and plugs…in fact before I depart tonight maybe I’ll try that…
1 Like
…power cord was the culprit… all good in the hood now…
1 Like