SR1a Headphone with Amplifier Options

The World's First Earfield™ Headphone Monitor

The SR1a by RAAL-requisite is the world's first Earfield™ headphone monitor. Experience mixing, mastering, and home listening with unparalleled accuracy and realism in a soundfield devoid of room acoustics and comb-filtering caused by work surface reflections. Earfield™ technology delivers unheard of program accuracy and a speaker-like soundfield experience.

Select Your Package:

We offer customized packages for your RAAL SR1a Headphone. Select the Amplifier Interface Box if you plan on connecting your headphones to you existing speaker system. Select the Schiit Jotunheim R or RAAL HSA-1b amplifier if you are looking for a direct connection to the headphone and want a one-box solution. Please note that the Interface Box are not to be used in conjunction with the Jotunheim or HSA amplifiers, but are offered for multi-room setups, allowing you to have an interface for your existing system as well as a standalone option for the SR1a ribbon headphone.

Headphone Only

This option includes only the RAAL SR1a headphone. No amp option will be selected.

Headphone + Amplifier Interface Box

This option includes the SR1a and the amplifier interface box for the SR1a headphone. The interface connects your headphones to a speaker amplifier to achieve 5.6 ohms of combined resistance and 140W of power dissipation with moderate temperature increase. The interface connects via binding posts / banana plugs in the back (to the speaker amp) and a male 4-pin XLR connector in the front (to the headphones). These connectors are set to prevent the possibility of plugging the SR1a headphones into a conventional headphone amplifier and effectively short it, causing damage to both the amp and the headphones.

Headphone + Schiit Jotunheim R Amp

This option includes the SR1a and the Schiit Jotenheim R Amplifier (without the optional DAC card). This amplifier is designed specifically for the Raal/Requisite ribbon headphones. It is a completely unique amplifier that delivers up to 13A per channel into the Raal’s extremely low impedance load, including baffle compensation. You do not need a speaker amp attached to this like you do on the interface box option. This option includes the amp without the DAC card – for those that already have a DAC option or do not need one.

 

Headphone + Schiit Jotunheim R Amp/DAC

This option includes the SR1a and the Schiit Jotenheim R Amplifier with the optional DAC card. This amplifier is designed specifically for the Raal/Requisite ribbon headphones. It is a completely unique amplifier that delivers up to 13A per channel into the Raal’s extremely low impedance load, including baffle compensation. You do not need a speaker amp attached to this like you do on the interface box option. This option includes the amp with the True Multibit DAC module, which includes a unique digital filter and multibit DAC architecture, creating a great one-box systems that’s easily transportable.

Headphone + Amplifier Interface Box + Schiit Jot R Amp

This option includes the SR1a, the Amplifier Interface Box, and the Schiit Jotenheim R Amplifier (without the optional DAC card). The interface connects your headphones to a speaker amplifier to achieve 5.6 ohms of combined resistance and 140W of power dissipation with moderate temperature increase. The interface connects via binding posts / banana plugs in the back (to the speaker amp) and a male 4-pin XLR connector in the front (to the headphones). This package also includes the Schiit Jotenheim R Amplifier - designed specifically for the Raal/Requisite ribbon headphones. It is a completely unique amplifier that delivers up to 13A per channel into the Raal’s extremely low impedance load, including baffle compensation. This option includes the amp without the DAC card – for those that already have a DAC option or do not need one.

Headphone + Amplifier Interface Box + Schiit Jot R Amp/DAC

This option includes the SR1a and the amplifier interface box for the SR1a headphone. The interface connects your headphones to a speaker amplifier to achieve 5.6 ohms of combined resistance and 140W of power dissipation with moderate temperature increase. The interface connects via binding posts / banana plugs in the back (to the speaker amp) and a male 4-pin XLR connector in the front (to the headphones). Also included is the Schiit Jotenheim R Amplifier with the optional DAC card. This amplifier is designed specifically for the Raal/Requisite ribbon headphones. It is a completely unique amplifier that delivers up to 13A per channel into the Raal’s extremely low impedance load, including baffle compensation. This option includes the amp with the True Multibit DAC module, which includes a unique digital filter and multibit DAC architecture.

Headphone + HSA-1b Amp

This option includes the SR1a headphone and the RAAL HSA-1b headphone and speaker amplifier. The HAS-1b is a direct drive amplifier for True-Ribbon Earfield Monitor headphones, speakers, conventional dynamic, and planar magnetic headphones. The amplifier works seamlessly with the SR1a ribbon headphone but can also work for traditional headphones and speakers. The amplifier has unbalanced single-ended RCA and true-balanced XLR inputs. The HAS-1b also has a precision 24-step attenuator for rock solid left/right balance at all listening levels. This is a perfect match for your SR1a ribbon headphones if you are just looking for an amplifier that is tailor-made for the SR1a direct from the manufacturer.

System Options

The RAAL SR1a is not your typical headphone and will not work on most conventional headphone amplifiers. There are currently 2 different ways to connect and drive these headphones: a special ribbon amplifier (Schiit Jotenheim R) or the interface box with a speaker amp. The SR1a interface box converts a typical speaker amplifier output into the load characteristic that the headphones require. Connect your speaker amplifier to the interface via speaker cables and plug the SR1a into the 4-pin XLR connection on the front of the interface box. We highly recommend the Pass Labs INT-25 as a wonderful option.

Ribbon/Amplifier Interface

The amplifier interface box connects between a speaker amp and the SR1a, to achieve 5.6 ohms of combined resistance and 140W of power dissipation with moderate temperature increase.

The amplifier connects to binding posts / banana plugs at the back, and at the front, the SR1a cable plugs in to a male 4-pin XLR connector. The connector gender is chosen to prevent the possibility of plugging SR1a into a conventional headphones amplifier and effectively short it, causing damage to both the amp and the headphones.

The Amplifier Interface unit is air-cooled, so it should be kept on top and not covered.

Interface Requirements

100W Speaker Amp needed (any loudspeaker amplifier will work). We highly recommend the Pass Labs INT-25.

Designed Especially for Raal/Requisite Headphones

Let’s be clear. If you have other kinds of headphones, this amp isn’t for you. This amp was designed for one kind of headphones only: the Raal/Requisite ribbon headphones. Delivering up to 13A (amps…yes, amps) per channel into the Raal’s extremely low impedance load, and including the baffle compensation needed for the SR1a, the Jotunheim R is completely unique. It means you can leave your speaker amp behind, forget the Raal/Requisite interface box, and, if you buy it with the optional True Multibit™ DAC, you have a one-box system that’s easily transportable.

Configure To Your Needs

Select Jotunheim R as just an amp, or add an internal DAC card to tailor the system to your needs.

• No DAC. If you already have a DAC, or don’t need one, choose Jotunheim R without a DAC module or external DAC.
• True Multibit DAC module (internal). Choose the optional Multibit DAC Module to get Schiit’s unique digital filter and multibit DAC architecture, for $200 more

Flexibility and Convenience

Jotunheim R provides switchable baffle compensation, to ensure compatibility with future ribbon headphone models, as well as switchable passive preamp outputs, and both balanced and single-ended inputs. No power bricks or external power supplies are required; it plugs straight into the wall for maximum convenience.

Unique Nexus™ Discrete Gain Stage with Ultra-High-Current Output

Jotunheim uses the unique Nexus™ gain stage that debuted on the flagship Ragnarok 2 integrated amplifier. This inherently balanced, differential, current feedback topology accepts both balanced and single-ended input without the need for splitters and summers.

Designed and Built in California

The vast majority of the total production cost of Jotunheim — chassis, boards, transformers, assembly, etc — goes to US companies manufacturing in the US. The chassis are made minutes from the facility. The PCBs are done just over the hill, or done in Northern California. The transformers are also made in California. You get the picture.

5-Year Warranty

The RAAL SR1a and Jotunheim R are covered by a 5-year limited warranty that covers parts and labor. See Specifications below for more details.

More About the RAAL SR1a Ribbon Headphone:

Ribbons for a reason

The SR1a is the world’s first True-Ribbon™ headphone. Highly specialized ribbon drivers were developed that reproduce 30Hz to 30kHz bandwidth in order to eliminate the need for sealed chambered bass and allow for open air baffles (both front and back) for a true full-frequency soundfield.

SR1a Freedom

Professional engineers report that SR1a Earfield Monitors™ reveal more detail and accuracy than even their finest traditional studio monitors or headphones. Helping to achieve high-quality, transferable mix results in non-traditional environments. The accuracy, musicality and portability of the SR1a frees the engineer to work whenever, and wherever they choose.

Incredibly Comfortable

Weighing in at only 425 grams (15 ounces). Unlike standard headphones who’s weight and heat create listener discomfort over time. The SR1a Earfield™ design eliminates heat buildup on the ears providing a cool, natural airflow. Your ears will also appreciate the complete absence of sound pressure against the eardrums caused by traditional sealed can designs. SR1a headphones can be worn comfortably for many hours at any listening level.

Finest materials. Hand built.

The SR1a features; carbon fiber baffles, stainless spring steel headband, aluminum ribbon drivers, plush memory foam bars, and lambskin leather (non-leather option available). Every SR1a is expertly handmade, in Serbia, by the skilled European craftspeople who build world-renowned RAAL ribbon tweeters.

What's in the box?

• Open-Baffle, Ribbon Headphone
• XFMR Interface (TI-1a or TI-1b)
• Cables (SC2,ITI-XLR)/OB Comp

Press and Reviews

Moon Audio

by Staff
Nov. 2020

Headphone Guru

by Peter Pialis
Feb. 2021

Stereophile

by Herb Reichert
Jan. 2020

Darko

by Srajan Ebaen
Mar. 2019

Six Moons

by Srajan Ebaen
Mar. 2019

Headphone.Guru

by Frank Iacone
Oct. 2019

Audio Friends

by Zhanmingo057
Dec. 2018

Audiophile Style

by Staff
May 2020

Audiophile Style

by Staff
Aug. 2020