$12,500 One Amp to Rule Them All ------------------------------------------- Ray Samuels B-21 Raider

EXCLUSIVE!
One Amp to Rule Them All
IN THIS EPISODE:
Ray Samuels Audio B-21 Raider
Electrostatic & Dynamic Headphone Amplifier
www.raysamuelsaudio.com
SPECIAL THANKS:
Ray Samuels
Steve McCoin
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Note: There are a few brands this will not work with-- like Campfire and Grado.
DIRECTORS GARAGE SALE:
Zähl HM1 (like new) $7500
KGSSHV Carbon CC Electrostatic Amp $5200
Audeze LCD-4 (modded pads and headband) w/ case $2100
Fostex/Massdrop TH-X00 Ebony (Orig Box, small nick in cup) $450
Audeze LCD-i4 Original box/accessories $950 (Practically new)
Astell&Kern SP1000 Copper (**includes detachable battery/amp**) $1600
Sennheiser HD-820 (generic soft case) $1200
Neumann NDH-20 (custom cable) $350
Shure KSE-1500 (orig box + extra headset) $1900
Noble Audio FoKus H-ANC (orig. box) $200
Kinera Nanna 2 (orig box) $600
STUDIO INFO (with Affiliate Links):
Mic: RCA-77DX (Vintage)
Processor/Pre: Universal Audio LA-610 Mk II - amzn.to/37aNREV
A/D Converter: Apogee Symphony Desktop - amzn.to/3ILrYtG
Camera: Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 4.6K - amzn.to/3CeReGc
Close Up Camera: Sony RX-100 VII - amzn.to/3tEVSJQ
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Software: Boris Sapphire
Software: Red Giant Trapcode Particular
Hardware: Atomos Shogun Inferno - amzn.to/34hVic5
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Streamer: Blackmagic Design Web Presenter 4k - amzn.to/3pFnu08
Monitor Controller: Mackie Big Knob Studio Plus - amzn.to/3tqx4oE
Nearfield Monitors: Genelec
Computer: 16 Core Mac Pro (2019)
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Music: Epidemic Sound - www.epidemicso...
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Head-Fi Handle: reeltime

[@PixelPipes]

Ray Samuels, wow. That's a name I've not heard in very a long time

[@midorihibiki]

Thank you sir for your honest emotion reviews. I like to see and feel your thoughts about things you reviewed than some of other reviewers on the youtuber. Most of them like to talk about technically words but the most important things are about how pairing and feelings when listen to music with your gears and ears. You look very happy when expressing them.

[@Leon-lg7zm]

I loved this episode and that amplifier but I will always choose a tube amplifier over a solid state amplifier.

[@MistaLova-Lova]

A few weeks ago I would have sniffed at this comment but I've recently acquired a Cayin HA-6A and with new tubes it's made the Utopia sound like it never did before.

[@Leon-lg7zm]

@MistaLova-Lova I have the HA-3A with thr Utopia and the sound is amazing!

[@MistaLova-Lova]

@@Leon-lg7zm So you know exactly what I meant :-) Tube amplifiers is a new experience for me, it's not the best match for my planar headphones but it seems that for dynamic drivers it's a match made in heaven. And the Utopia just comes alive, I'd say every Utopia owner owns it to themselves to hear it on tubes!

[@Leon-lg7zm]

@MistaLova-Lova LCD 4 and HEKSE runs perfectly on the HA-3A, so I think planars are just as good as dynamic headphones on these Cayin amps. It's all about the tubes that you use also, and it's taken me a long time to find the perfect combo. I know your amp uses different tube types but for me, the best tube combination is the gold lion power tubes and the telefunken pre amp tubes alongside the stock rectifier as that's still really good for a stock tube. People say the HA-3A is one of the best experiences with the Modhouse Tungsten also, so I think it's a very versatile amp, but for headphones like the Susvara would be a lot better on the HA-6A.

[@MistaLova-Lova]

@@Leon-lg7zm Thanks, I have the HEKse too and I wouldn't say it sounds bad, it's just that the Utopia gets so full-bodied and punchy on this amp that the HEKse sounds even leaner and more "see-through" in comparison. Not the amp's fault, just the difference in Utopia's full-bodiedness and the HEKse's lack thereof becomes even more apparent. I've got myself the Telefunken pre-amp tubes as well and they've really made a difference. Gold Lion KT88 are very nice, "magical" I'd say; I'm not a fan of the stock EL34 but have just got myself a pair of Electro Harmonix KT88 to complement the Gold Lions for a more neutral (more controlled, albeit less "magical") sound. I don't think that I've ever been happy with a headphone in this hobby really but the Utopia on this amp might turn out to be what I've been after.

[@thelastrhino2581]

Great video. Love your enthusiasm. That looks like the amp to end all amps.

[@apollomoonlandings]

9:57 I love the extremely clean and symmetrical circuit board layouts. With the right equipment, any electrical engineer or competent service technician can service this amp.

[@kevintj604]

Great review. I imagine you listing a ton of stuff to buy it. Hope you’re able to add it to your collection.

[@DirectorsGarage]

Yes, I've listed the Zahl HM1 already. Considering the KGSSHV Carbon CC as well. Lots of options. We'll see what happens.

[@JTB--]

I actually thought Ray Samuels himself was going to pop out of that huge case like a Jack-In-The- Box!! 🤡

[@MistaLova-Lova]

Have you tried two of them at the same time, one per each channel? I'd imagine that this is how most people would buy and use them, since the price is obviously a bit of a bargain... ;-) Good video.

[@king_epk]

awesome video, beautiful watch could remove 1 more link though.

[@SergeySedlovsky]

I'm guessing we'll have it in the full review or maybe something close to a description, but would you say that this amp gives some meat to the Caldera's like perhaps a tube amp would?

[@DirectorsGarage]

Yes, I will include the Caldera in the B-21 review. I've set the B-21 aside for the past week or two to review the Aegis. The B-21 episode is on the runway. I have to finish that review and then shoot it. Probably 2 weeks away-- we'll see. I'm pretty exhausted from today's episode. I was up until 2:30am finishing it last night and I'm up at 6am!

[@RockAndRollFirebird]

Hello, another fantastic review! Can you please share what DAC you are using here and a very basic sound comparison to the Zahl? Thankyou, love your channel... 🙂 👍

[@DirectorsGarage]

The DAC is a DCS Lina. I prefer it because like the WANDLA, it has adjustable output, and it happens to sound beautiful! Sound comparison I haven't done yet. That's coming in the next B-21 episode-- a few weeks away, after the Aegis amp review. But if it's any help or indication, I'm selling my Zähl HM1.

[@franciscocunhaetavora9132]

Niceee...

[@GilReynard]

Is this a pure class A amp? Or is that a stupid question?

[@DirectorsGarage]

Not at all! It's class A-B but it runs in Class A all the time. According to Ray's rep, it will more likely blow a driver on your headphone before it hits class B.

[@aminafkham1265]

Great video 👍🏻

[@tonyd9998]

Hey Michael, How do I get in touch if I may be interested in one of your items for sale?

[@DirectorsGarage]

Email [e-mail]

[@dendenovich8366]

vs LTA Z10E amplifier & electrostatic energiser ?

[@DirectorsGarage]

I've heard the Z10E. It was not for me. It wasn't an ideal environment, but I found amps like the Ferrum on the dynamic side and Woo ES-8 on the e-stat side left greater impressions.

[@isoperimetrix]

Well cool. Will normal people be able to get it some day? If they are building 20, that means almost nobody will be able to buy it. That's pretty high praise but possibly unobtanium.

[@Nephilim-81]

Holy shiiiiii#%$€t ❤!!!

[@SergeySedlovsky]

1. You mentioned there was another reviewer who got it first, who? 2. Like we discussed, highly recommend giving Raal Immanis a try. Ask Aleksandar for a review unit.

[@semccoin]

The first review hasn't been released yet. Hopefully in the next week or two.

[@SergeySedlovsky]

@@semccoin The Question is, who is it?

[@semccoin]

​@@SergeySedlovsky I can't release that at this time. All I can say is they are a respected Head-Fier.

[@semccoin]

​@@SergeySedlovskyI put the link in a separate comment as it just came out today on Head-Fi.

[@SergeySedlovsky]

@@semccoin Goldwerger, see that, cool. Gonna read it now, he's about the Caldera on it which I also own :)

[@frankd.b.9233]

I'll stick with mine Marantz PM-700 DC, see ya

[@masterazlan6999]

Naa..old skol mass kobo 465 better noobs..Peace! Wut??..queing list for this system which is limited? 465 just U CAN'T have it even u r richer then Elon musk..noobs2..Peace2!

[@DirectorsGarage]

I've not yet heard the Mass Kobo 465, so I can't make that assessment. It's definitely a target of mine at CanJam SoCal 2024!

[@semccoin]

The first run is 20 units. Ray has 7 units ready for final assembly when the chassis arrives and is prepared. It will take roughly 2 days after that to complete assembly. Ray then powers it up and plays each unit for 100 hours before shipping them.

[@bigsamiabs8416]

@@DirectorsGarage Don't worry soonish!

[@PhotoTerco]

​@@DirectorsGarage Don't worry about this guy comments he is trolling every review videos of other KZbinrs with what he consider best, the guy has some mental problems for sure.

[@masterazlan6999]

​@@PhotoTerco Yeah sure mental prob knews bout mass kobo 465 n u r noobs..so be kewl noobs...ha4 Peace!