2. headphones
  3. 175585-1604

VM-1a: New RAAL SR1a Headphone amp

I heard the new top of the line RAAL SR1a headphone amp, the VM-1a. To say I was impressed is an understatement. This amp was incredible with the SR1a. I have never heard the SR1a sound so good.

I have been championing the 2-channel approach with the SR1a over the dedicated headphone amp since my 2-channel amps sounded better to me. However. the game is over for my 2-channel amps. I used CODA07x preamp with a CODA #8 amp to drive the SR1a. I also had a Schitt Frey+ preamp and Benchmark AHB2 amp to drive the SR1a. Both systems had a Musetec 005 DAC. I had 2 RAAL amp interface boxes to accomplish this.

The new VM-1a amp will cost $6500, which is nosebleed level for me, but I am selling the CODA #8 amp and Schitt Freya+ preamp to buy the VM-1a. I have a NAD M22 V2 as a backup if I have tube issues with the VM-1a. The NAD is pretty good.

Here is a list of all the 2-channel amps tried with the SR1a.

- Schitt Jotunheim R (dedicated SR1a headphone amp, not 2 channel)


- RAAL HSA-1B
- Benchmark AHB2 stereo and mono
- D-Sonic M3a 800s
- LSA Voyager 350 GAN (modded by EVS)
- Parasound A21+
- NAD M22 V2
- KRELL K-300i integrated amp
- KRELL Duo 175XD
- CODA #8

I will have the KRELL 175XD and NAD M22 V2 left after this purge is completed.

 

 

yyzsantabarbara
rixthetrick's avatar
rixthetrick
1,060 posts
 

What are you using as a source into the DAC?
Sorry if you've covered this in other threads, you have some nice equipment.

Mr. Curious

yyzsantabarbara OP
4,817 posts
 

I use a Musetec 005 DAC. I tried the Benchmark DAC3B which was not a good match, though works better on my KEF LS50 system. A Topping D90SE was also not a good match. The Gustard X26 Pro and Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE were good matches for the SR1a but, for my tastes, they do not scale to the heights of the Musetec 005.

Someone that knows the SR1a well uses the RME DAC with the SR1a. Mostly for cost reasons but he does like it more that the Benchmark DAC3L he also owns.

I should update the first post by saying that I returned my NAD M22 V2. The AutoStart feature was not working properly with my CODA 07x preamp. Until I get the VM-1a RAAL headphone amp my SR1a setup will be the following:

- Magnum Dynalab MD108T tuner

- Musetec 005 DAC

- CODA 07x preamp

- KRELL 175XD

Unfortunately, I cannot use the FrontRow speaker cable, with SpeakON termination, on the KRELL. So, I am leaving some greatness on the cutting room floor. I will be using Audience Conductor SE speaker cable instead. The CODA #8 amp that is now boxed up for sale supports the SpeakON terminated speaker cables. They sound so much better than the Conductor SE that I will have to use.

Now that the NAD M22 V2 is gone, I will also have to unplug the speaker cable from my 2-channel speakers to connect the KRELL to the RAAL amp interface box. It will take me about a year to get the Vm-1a, but the setup I described is amazing, just not the very best.

 

BTW - it feels good to get rid of gear and downsize my audio gear.

koestner
668 posts
 

YYZ, you post so much informative info on all your equipment. RAAL should just send you a Vm-1a for a few months review purposes.

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