After some days of tests, I confirm my good first impressions of Mitch’s filters for the SR1b. I prefer the neutral one, with the addition of a 1.5dB low shelf. All tones seems week integrated, bass is present and defined and it doesn’t blur into the mids, highs are controlled natural and non...

The choice among a b or c version depend on the power output of your amplifier. The c version is recommended for low power at 4 or 8 ohm, there are two different input plug in the box. the AIC-10 delivers 10W at 8ohm so that was the best choice according to Alex. With low volume orchestral...

I joined the club :) Lots of tests ongoing but I can confirm the synergy with the AIC-10 through the TI-1c interface is very good. More impressions later on. Congratulatios to @Aleksandar R. and team for developing these amazing headphones. Also, great customer support!

I am another owner who will hold on to the Riviera for a long time I think :) Having said that, I understand why some people may sell quickly. I think one factor is related to unrealistic expectations. It costs a fortune (much less second hand) and as all audio gear in this segment you should...

Great comparison @mammal, thanks! It confirms that to do justice to the Riviera you need to try some quality NOS. If you try speakers taps with your TC you will see the full potential of this amp 😜

Glad to see that you enjoyed the Riviera. Which tube was it mounting? That's pretty important to understand if you could get even more out of this amp given your system and sound preferences. As an example: recently I upgraded the software on my Innuos streamer and got a cleaner, slightly leaner...

@mammal I confirm the Riviera is very good with the TC via the headphones plug. There is plenty of volume available and the headphones are very well driven with robust, well defined bass. My bet it is that if you try the speakers taps you will be hooked. The difference is clear to my ears. Tone...

Currently rediscovering my Utopia after a log stretch of Abyss. The Riviera adds a nice touch

I am listening this with a pair of el cheapo headphones from my laptop and I checked twice what was creaking below my desk... ;) unsettling recording... must be paradise with the V.!

For n. 1) sure, and if a player is recorded too close up there is not much that can be done. But with ref. to n. 2) hi-fi gear extract and present details in very different ways. I recall that moving from Hugo2 to MScaler + Dave my expectation was to hear more details but I actually heard a...

I knew it was dangerous to ask ;) now I have a new craving Regarding the ability to reproduce details in a natural way: that's a big challenge and I have been thinking about that while attending live performances in the past weeks. An instrument live never comes across as "detailed". With...

A start is born... great to see a new addition to the select TOTL club. Thanks for the review @simorag and congrats for you amazing set up! In terms of spatial presentation, I understand the TC is king. Would you be able to roughly compare the Valkyria to other headphones? Also, besides...

Both headphones have their strong points so in the end - as always - it’s about which ones we value the most. And that choice is also related to the type of music and gear. Personally I consider the TC a stronger all around performer over the Utopia and I use it most of the time for...

Thanks, somehow it always ends up like that on HF 🤣

FYI, I just posted a comparison of Utopia vs Abyss TC playing classical piano music on the TC thread: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-jps-labs-abyss-ab-1266-impressions-thread.666765/post-16376619

Listening to classical piano music: Abyss TC vs Focal Utopia Last night I had to chance to hear Arcadi Volodos in concert playing Schubert and Brahms. A fantastic experience that triggered many reflections as a hi-fi and headphones lover. Since he played Brahms op.118, which he also recorded...

I used to go regularly to Eindhoven and Amsterdam for work... fine weather is not your strong point 😄 but otherwise it’s a very nice country!!

Nice thread, I loved pictures of your favorite natural spots! I moved to the Madrid area few years ago and here I found a great mix of nature and culture. When family duties allow, I like to go hiking to a nearby mountain range, it’s easy to spot eagles, vultures, wild goats… it’s a small but...

I love my AIC-10 – which I bought second hand- but I also agree that the full price is really steep. I won’t even try to defend the economic rationality of purchasing a Riviera, it would be like asking whether it’s a good investment to buy a Lamborghini (just to stay with Italian crazy high-end...

I don’t know the amp you mention but I bet the Riviera is not 15 times better (whatever that means) ;)

I described all my tubes in post n. 2. In the end, as I use the TC 99% of the time, I prefer the Mullard... I am curious about Telefunken but probably not the best match for my taste and gear currently. Maybe for the future if I change headphones..

Hi Frank, I hope you are enjoying your amp… I use a Horus power cord manufactured by Wires4Music, a Spanish company. Very nice cable, I didn’t make comparison with the Riviera but from previous tests with the Dave I noticed it adds a bit of fullness and bottom end to the music.

Just in case someone experiences the same problem... I use my Dave as pre-amp and DAC for active speakers and as DAC to feed the Riviera. I had some issues with distorted sound from the speakers. It turns out that the Riviera caused it. here I explained how to easily solve the issue

Case solved. I got a confirmation from Riviera that the AIC-10 is shorting all unused inputs, also when turned off (for technical reasons that are beyond me). That caused my problem. The solution is to keep the Riviera on, headphones unplugged, when listening to my speakers. I am happy that is...

Thank you Rob, I am checking with RivieraLabs and will report back.