RAAL 1995 headphones, Magna and Immanis

@rlawry I believe you are in close by to Ventura. If so, next week I am going down to Ventura to have a listen to the Magna and Immanis. I will likely take my VM-1a which has 1 tube different from stock. Join me if you are interested.

I want to do this quickly, even though I am not buying in the short term. I believe Danny will not have any in stock other than these 2 and they likely are going out to reviewers and Mitch at AccurateSounds.ca

What I am reading from people that have heard these is that the Immanis resembles the soundstage of the SR1a/SR1b but sound even better.

So the phones that best approximate the sound of live music in a performing space are the RAAL SR-1a/b nearfield ear monitors.  No, they don't do this perfectly but they are the closest I have heard in this aspect.  So any cupped phone or IEM, at least at this time, are seriously deficient in this aspect.

My friend Danny over at RAAL said that I can get the Magna and Immanis for a 24 to 48 hour window to listen. After that they are going to The Absolute Sound for review. 

I have a whole bunch of gear ready to play them on.

I am looking for some advice or help on how to use the XLR1 headphone output on the Holo Serene preamp. If anyone knows, can you tell me what cable to use on the XLR1 output. I have asked Tim at Kitsune but no response yet. I think the Immanis, with its lower power requirements, may be good with the Holo Serene.

I of course have the RAAL VM-1a tube headphone amp so that will be what all other gear will be matched against. I will be using the TI-1b interface box with the gear such as the Holo preamp. 

(8) RAAL 1995 headphones, Magna and Immanis | Page 99 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

I've been using the SR-1b for a while and now have the CA-1a. They are my favorite headphones by far. I do enjoy others from Audeze and Meze and Sennheiser but somehow the Raal models feel more like the real music experience to me. 

I don't want to spend more on new headphones but I'm having a hard time not being tempted by at least one of these new models.

I sold my SR1a and will likely sell the CA-1a. I use them with the RAAL VM-1a tube amp and Star8 cable. So, I have an excellent setup.

I took my gear down to Ventura, CA to the RAAL office and heard both the Magna and Immanis. From my limited experience with headphones, it was easily the very best phones I have ever heard. The Immanis was my preference, but both are great.

On Head-fi.com there are some very interesting comparisons with the TOTL phones. So far in the limited feedback, the Immanis seems to be coming out as the favorite.

I am actively looking for a second job, and one reason is to buy the Immanis. I say this as someone who loves the SR1a and CA-1a. Good thing since it will take me some time to get the funds.