of course not! I may not even try it at this point based on your observations.
The Eikon adapted out of the ribbon out put had a high noise floor for me. But the HSA-1b absolutely manhandles the Eikons out the the conventional output, I just found it too dark and congested vs my tube amp, so I am considering keeping the Ovation and Jot R and selling the RAAL amp. I originally thought the HSA1b would be an all in one for ribbon, convention, and 2 channel. One box (plus a DAC) and done. But I became depressed imagining life without the Eikon w/tube amp for certain genre…so it just got complicated again.
I have to say, I did extensive research on the SR1a over 4~5 months all over the Internet but this thread and Torq’s reviews have probably done more to swing me over than anything else. The SR1a has met or exceeded my quite substantial expectations and I find the sound to be absolutely sublime for most of the music I like to enjoy. The clarity, resolution, detail retrieval, imaging and soundstage are almost unbelievably good.
This thread has been immensely helpful and inspiring over the months that I have been lurking to mine data and various thoughts and informed opinions. With that in mind, here’s a pic of my SR1a lurching on a stand with my LCD-4. They are completely different animals - virtually antipodes - but both lovely in their own ways.
I learned about the ZMF CoPilot pad here as well and it definitely adds comfort as it gives more “float” on your head. The stock leather band felt tight and seemed to pull on my thinning hair. Haha. I also had to spread the headband somewhat as the upper pads were putting some pressure on the temples. Now it’s as comfortable as I could possibly want it and I could literally wear it all day working in my home office.
As bright, resolving, and intensely brilliant as the SR1a can sound, what I found amazing is how it never fatigues your ears. Even the highest violin notes and soaring soprano voices never had any shrieking, piercing or harsh characteristics. Sometimes I would brace to cringe at the ascending crescendo of treble energy but it would just refuse to produce any unpleasant frequencies. I would sometimes be stunned, thinking - “Whoa, I was not expecting that… At all…” Just beautiful. I like good treble. I even like lots of treble as long as it’s smooth and not harsh. It’s no wonder I love the SR1a. Truly wonderful headphones and the Chord stack drives it beautifully.
Haha. Yeah, my wife also did that facepalm kind of laugh when she walked in and saw the SR1a on my head. She literally had to sit down and put her arms on the table and bury her head in them because she couldn’t believe it.
But… when she listened she understood - very well.
Listening to it now and it’s just so amazing. It brings on the goosebumps in waves during every session.
I finally decided to sample some of my metal collection through the SR1a and I’m listening to Meshuggah’s classic ‘Obzen’ album as I type this. And I’ve got the volume cranked to around 85~90bB peak. Man, what an intense experience. I was a little apprehensive about listening to modern metal with detuned 7- and 8-string guitars with all that low-end and the heavily distorted guitars in the extended treble range but I’m having no issues at all.
I also brought the drivers in a little closer to be at around 10~15 degrees instead of the normal 30 degree spread I use and that also increased the bass response significantly. Also moved the SR1a back horizontally closer to my ears and that works really well for this kind of stuff. The low-end is pummeling and I can almost feel the slam but I certainly hear it loud and clear.
I’m still learning to use the SR1a for different genres, artists and sounds. I need to change the angles of the drivers more instead of leaving it in one set position and also move forward and back to get the right tuning depending on what I’m listening to. I’ve mainly been listening to classical, jazz, acoustic, ambient electronic and vocal-centric music with the SR1a until now but I think I can try more things now.
Whoa~ another goosebumps moment right now with this Meshuggah album. Okay, the SR1a kicks ass with metal. Check.
In addition to the wing angles and fore / aft positioning something else to play with is: I find if I slight rotation of the headset around an imaginary pivot point centered on top of my head it allows me to get each ribbon equally positioned with respect to the ear canals. Our left and right body halves are not exact mirror images and this rotation can act somewhat like a balance control. A small point but then we don’t spend this kinda’ money to be casual about our listening.
Yes, I’ve definitely noticed this as well. Sometimes I position the SR1a based on what I think is the center by looking at where the wings are positioned but I should just keep messing with the angle of the wings, the fore/aft positioning, etc.
You can actually move the SR1a around in many directions and even half-inch or even less one way or another makes a significant difference. I’m still getting used to adjusting the positioning to “tune” the sound based on what I’m listening to. Normally, this is not something one does with other headphones. Takes a little more work but it’s worth the effort.
I am getting ready to buy the SR1a. I currently have a Mojo->Clears, so along with the SR1a I should also buy a DAC. Unfortunately, there’s no place near to try out the Jot R or HSA-1b
My question is how I should spent my extra money. Should I go for the HSA-1b but a cheaper DAC, maybe the Bifrost 2. Or should I go for the Jot R and a more expensive DAC like the Yggy. I’ve learned the typical rule is amp above DAC, but I wonder how that applies in this situation. And is the silver cable worth it or should it be the last priority?
Compounding the situation is I can’t test any of these things out except by buying them and then returning them, which ups the cost of trying them out, esp since Schiit has a restocking fee.
I’m very pleased with my Yggy → Freya+ → JotR combination. I’ve toyed with the idea of the Silver cable but at this moment my wallet is winning. There is much enjoyment to be had with this combination.
Hi, new here. Looks like a great community of headphone listeners; been watching for a couple of months.
I wanted to chime in if it’s helpful. I’ve had the SR1a earphones for about a year, initially with the Jot-R. Loved what they do, but there was always an edge to the music, a certain intensity. Recently purchased the HSA-1b amp and the silver cable and that made all the difference (I’m sure the silver cable is something you can add later). It has all the benefits, but rounds out the intensity a bit. Just right for long-term listening. Spent much of this weekend listening to SoundQuest Fest.
No opinion on DAC. I listen through an older but updated Resolution Audio Cantata Music Center (V3); about to add the DSD option.
I almost sold the SR1a earphones a while ago because I also have a DAC with a headphone amp, but decided to give it another shot. Glad I did. The one thing that irritates me is the strap that hangs over the back of your head - it’s always flopping around when I put them on. Still, these are very comfortable earphones.
I’ve gotten use to the rear strap and it does allow me greater head movement in all directions with better stability. Not Wayne and Garth headbanging movement but…
I agree with the “edge” comment. It’s not a jagged glass, slice you to shreds “edge” but it’s there. For me, putting the Freya + in tube mode into the chain tamed that.
Personally, I like this strap. It keeps the SR1a very steady on my head even when I lean forward while I’m working away on the computer. It also keeps the front/back and side-to-side positioning steady and where I need it to get the sound I want to get. I’ve started shifting the SR1a around while it’s on my head depending on what I’m listening to.
