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Best Amp With Some Warmth and Midrange Magic To Pair With The RAAL Requsite SR1a's?

I just ordered a pair of these after hearing them fairly extensively in a couple systems. These amazing ear speakers have absolutely incredible speed, detail and clarity, and very surprising bass. I'm not sure you could equal those qualities in a speaker at 20 times the price. However, I think they are capable of moving from amzing to absolutely magical when used with the right amp. That would be one, which brings some warmth and midrange magic to the party. 

Normally this would clearly mean a good tube amplifier.However, the numbers of tube amps that would fill the bill are greatly narrowed due to the fact that, to perform optimally, the RAAL's require 150wpc solid state, and 100wpc tubed. And there are no shortcuts. As one reviewer experienced, as also did my friend and I, even the excellent ARC Reference 75 tube amp (with a rock solid 75wpc) came up a bit short in our listening. As did a very respected solid state amp rated at 100wpc.  

I would appreciate any recommendations of warmer solid state amps of the necessary wattage, or any potential tube amps that come to mind. My finances would great appreciate limiting the cost to $2500.00 or under, used. Older amps are fine unless they are at a point where they would need to be recapped/refurbished at significant expense. 

Any recommendations, thoughts or expertise is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
nightfall

Showing 3 responses by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
4,466 posts
 
RAAL HSA-1b. I do not think crossing the AMP INTERFACE and also speaker wire can beat a direct connection like the HSA-1b. I am listening to the HSA-1b as I type this. 

So in that vein, I would assume the Schitt J something punches above the weight of most 2 channels amps in driving the SR1a.
yyzsantabarbara
4,466 posts
 
@nightfall What did you end up with?

 I have spent the last 3 months playing with different amp combos with the SR1a. My previous post about the HSA-1b maybe not correct since I have found some amp combos that are great with the SR1a..
yyzsantabarbara
4,466 posts
 
For the RAAL SR1a I have or had in the house by either buying or demoing (2 weeks or longer) the following gear:

- Benchmark AHB2 + DAC3B + HPA4 = awful with SR1a

- Benchmark AHB2 x 2 + DAC3B + HPA4 = not so awful but not great (my 2 channel reference gear)

- Benchmark AHB2 x2 + AudioMirror Tubadour III SE (AMT3SE) tube DAC + HPA4 = very good

- CODA CSiB (from July 2018 build) + AMT3SE DAC = 10/10

- CODA CSiB + Benchmark DAC3B = 9/10

- KRELL K-300i + internal DAC = 7/10

- KRELL K-300i + AMT3SE DAC = 10/10

- RAAL HSA-1b + Benchmark DAC3B = 9/10 but I was not able to test with XLR which is better

- CODA 07x preamp (not delivered yet) + AMT3SE DAC + Benchmark AHB2 single amp = TBD

I sold the CODA CSiB and use the KRELL in another room now which does not have the RAAL amp interface box or a better external DAC.

I wrote a long write up about this testing I did in the Headphone section title "Best Speaker ..."
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