You could use a leather cleaner or similar if it is synthetic. Dry rag won’t wipe off anything but dust. The pads look a bit dried out too, so some conditioner cleaner would be worth looking into.
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I actually use the Elite Hybrids on mine, and I felt that the sonic differences were moot while getting the extra quality bump. Granted, they sit close enough ($100) price-wise to the Harmony pads, so even if you’re not a purist, it’s only marginal differences. I can’t completely recommend one over the other.
Like others both here and elsewhere have mentioned, pad-rolling with different materials other than the hybrid (with inner fenestration) is also a lost cause. Additionally, it’s really important to have that “v-taper” at the bottom of the pads to match the headphones since round pads with the adapter just looks ugly and nothing ever sounded right.
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Thanks everyone for the suggestions, but after reading some impressions, I think I will stick with stock. I don’t want to change the “magic” of the Sus right now and risk changing its sound even if it’s by a little. I will probably just wait until the pad starts falling apart or if the pad looks really flat before replacing it.
Every penny counts right now, trying to save up for something really cool that is going to be release late 2024 if it doesn’t get delay. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
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Does anyone have any experience with the HEKse on a Soloist Performance X3?
Hey, a question for the long time Susvara owners. Does the Susvara have a noticeable better performance after burn in? I didn’t count how many hours I used the Susvara, but I had for about 2 months and use it every week maybe 2-4 times a week. A session is typically 2-5 hours. I believe it’s only 2 owners, original owner (seller) and me. The owner did mention he barely used it.
I really think it’s placebo to be honest, but the I think it started maybe earlier this week (Tuesday), but I feel like I gotten an overall increase in performance from the Susvara. The midrange resolution is really clear, like way more clearer than last week. I feel like the midrange move a little forward as vocals becomes more noticeable to me. I feel like I’m pulling more details from the music compare to last week and the instrument placement also change, but honestly for the better. The Susvara is a lot less smoother than I remember it last week, but I like it a lot more like this.
I really think it’s placebo or maybe my listening skills gotten better from listening to the Susvara, idk, but I’m really liking the Susvara in its current state right now.
I’m using the same stock pads I believe and someone homemade copper cable. Nothing really change in my system or the accessories I use with the Susvara.
Late Addition: Thinking about it, it could be my Mystique Evo B4B 21 DAC (had this since June this year) might be finally burned in maybe. I was listening to my Sennheiser HD580 Jubilee on the NITSCH Magni Piety yesterday and remember they sounded a lot better than I remember and the instrumental placement was pretty dang good than what I remember the Sennheiser HD580 Jubilee was capable of. I also switched to the Raal Sr1a last night, but honestly don’t think I heard any difference.
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As an original owner it did for me. I noticed improvements from out of the box up to, if I was forced to put a stamp on it, @ 300ish hours. The upper end treble became smoother and overall tone across the spectrum just seemed to fill in with more density, a fuller more pleasing sound matching more to my preferences and also helped me to the conclusion that I could sell HEKv2 I’d been hanging on to but no longer using.
During that time I made no changes to cable (ICs or headphone) or any other part of the upstream source. I was using an aftermarket HP cable - but it had been the cable in use on my HEKv2 and was already well run in with over 18mos play time as my primary HP. So I truly feel it was the drivers running in being the majority of the difference noted (there’s always some brain adjustment that needs to be factored in too).
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Does it really matter?
FWIW, I doubt you have a sudden change in anything after a few hundred hours. Though I won’t discount it. My Susvara was used, so I can’t comment on burnin.
I have days where the chain I’m listening to just sounds better than normal, it might be that I’m focusing on a nuance I previously wasn’t, or maybe just in a better place mentally to appreciate it.
Being away from something for a while often does it for me, I tend to turn memories of things into charicatures of what they are, exaggerating their strengths and weaknesses, and the process of listening again let’s me clarify that. It’s one of the reasons I tell people to listen to the new gear until you really get it, then swap back to the old gear to really appreciate it,
I’m currently in the middle of a rather unpleasant bout of Covid ATM, and I’m looking forwards to getting back to listening again. Because I know the break will make them sound better than I remember.
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I just burn through 9 hours of a Susvara casual listening session and I’m like… “WOW” the entire time. It was really pulling details like a champ when I was focus doing something. Vocal clarity felt heightened today, instrument separation felt more separated in a positive way and gave me minimum effort to pinpoint the instruments. I really felt like a superhuman today from dissecting all the music playing with ease while doing something on the side lol. The best part is the music never felt dull at all. It was very pleasurable from start to finish. I even skip lunch because I didn’t want to get up lol (and I was busy doing something on the side). I did take breaks as I just drank water the entire day. This was the best session I had with Susvara. I was doing something real stressful and the Susvara kept me all smiles the entire day. I’m really glad I chose to listen to the Susvara today.
I didn’t count how many hours I put in mine and not too sure how many hours the owners. I say my hours are at least 100 - 200. The Susvara does sound much more pleasing today and last Tuesday compared to any other day. It basically went from I really like it to I really really like it today. Honestly might start counting how many hours I listen per day again, looking forward when I reach the 300-hour mark. The 300-hour burn-in mark is pretty similar to my Allnic HPA-5000XL amp. The company recommended like around 300-350 hours of burn-in. And the transformation was pretty significant change in the presentation (I do tend to exaggerate things, what’s small to you feels pretty huge to me).
I think this is very true. I did mention earlier that the Sennheiser HD580 Jubilee sounded way better on my NITSCH amp than I remember. That’s one of the reason why I like cycling through my headphones because every experience is always a somewhat new feeling. I was hoping it would be burn-in because today’s experience felt extra special. I remember enjoying it a lot on Tuesday as well, but thought it was because it was me coming off from my Sony M900 portable setup. Kinda want to mimic today experience and I was hoping I could recapture this joyous experience most likely next time I use the Susvara. Probably could, just got to stay away the Susvara for a bit and probably get my mind blown like today on the next session. But I got something coming, so I just want to keep using the Susvara until that thing arrives to see how much this accessory will impact my Susvara listening experience either positively or negatively.
Also, hope you you feel better soon. My co-worker has covid 2 weeks ago and he sounded really awful. When he came back, he told me it sucks really bad having covid.
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This is a nice thread. Nice to see so many detailed impressions and comparisons. The 1000se was the first headphone I heard that was just ‘ahhhh, so this is what a top shelf headphone can do’. I had previously owned MDR-Z1R, LCD-X, all versions of the 1266, Elear, Clear and most recently Spirit Pulsar. None of those impressed me as much as the 1000se. It continues to impress to this day. One thing that definitely helped was upgrading/skewing the chain to be on the meatier, slightly warmer side of things. Recently added a Totaldac dual (thanks @Draaly ) and along with a premium NOS-tubed Pendant SE, the 1000se’s ‘thinner’ leanings in certain areas have largely been ameliorated. A loom of Sablon power cords helps as well.
Not sure you’re still thinking this, but have you considered the ES Lab ES-R10? It’s my other headphone and I really enjoy it. Can’t speak at all on how it compares with the OG R10, but it wouldn’t carry the risks you worry about. It’s a great can regardless. I love mine so much I went a little crazy and bought three lol. There’s a healthy thread on head-fi on it and the maker is supposedly on his last run of them.
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I thought about getting the ES-R10, but what really caught my attention on the Sony MDR-R10 was the smoothness of the music. I don’t think I read comments on the ES Lab ES-R10 if it’s smooth like the original Sony MDR-R10, I just see people saying it’s like 70% of what the Sony MDR-R10 is capable of. I honestly kinda moved on from chasing that kind of sound signature.
My recent impression of the Susvara actually change as well. For some reason, starting last Tuesday, I felt like my Susvara open up more. The resolution has gotten better, it sounds less smooth for me and I actually kinda like that more, imaging and sound placement gotten better and I feel like vocals became a smidge more forward (at least that’s how I feel), feels less relax (feels like the Susvara is more energetic to me). I don’t know how long this feeling will last (4th day since I gotten this sound from the Susvara). It reminds me nothing at all to the MDR-R10 from memory (which you got to take with a grain of salt as its already bee months and it was a short session), but I like the Susvara current sound signature a lot. Effortlessly, beautifully, and rich sounding.
I also start liking the Susvara on other genres now as well. Favorite genre is basically electric pop. Rock music is still a weird feeling to me like when I was listening to the Jimmy Hendrix Electric Landlady album, the electric guitar didn’t have enough crunch for me and the more distant soundstage is a little of a turn off for me. I say modern rock songs (I only do jrock for modern rock) actually sounds pretty good and sometime exciting on the Susvara. Classical Orchestra is actually pretty amazing because of its grand soundstage and fantastic imaging. Tonality is still pretty weird for me for classical orchestra and I actually want more details from the instrument themselves, but currently exploring different recording to see if its a recording issue.
Sorry for the long post(I just wanted a excuse to talk about the Susvara more lol). But to answer your question, I did consider the ES-R10, but for some reason don’t feel motivated spending money on those just because I am really enjoying my current rotation of headphones including the Susvara right now and don’t really care about picking up other phones at the moment. I probably could get more motivated owning ES-R10 if I ever get a chance to hear it in person, but right now, I am just chilling with my current rotation. Still probably might pick up other vintage headphones, but it gotta be cheap.
Side Note: I also just finished reading a novel and became more interested in 90s Japan Pop era! I was recommended to try Ayumi Hamasaki and Mika Nakashima. Looking forward to listening to that era of genre with the Susvara as my reference! I basically really like the Susvara for pop music rather than any other genre basically lol.
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Cool cool. I acually haven’t listened to the ES-R10 in a while, but I’d definitely say it was on the smoother side. Certainly the smoother of the two vs the 1000se; they compliment each other well. I would reach for the ES-R10 on vocal, acoustic stuff more, for obvious reasons. It’s a great headphone, regardless of how accurately it emulates its big bro. I do love how it was such a passion project for Benson the designer to go through the steps he did to produce it. It’s definitely worth a listen and a sweet, unique can to have in the collection.
I’ve never heard the Susvara, should get my ass to a Canjam one of these days lol. Just always put off by the upchain requirements so haven’t really bothered. Plus, to me the 1000se is pretty dang satisfying as an all-rounder.
I notice you’re using the 5000XL, I’m super keen to hear that one. I briefly owned a 3000GT but only had the 1266 on hand at the time and the pairing was not ideal. But I’ve moved on from that headphone and would be interested to hear either the 3000 or the 5000 on other headphones. I absolutely loved the look and build quality of the Allnic stuff. If the 5000XL actually fares well with the Susvara my guess is that either the 5000 or the 3000 would do well with the 1000se.
I actually just got back from a vacation in Japan. I should have made an effort to see/experience the hifi side of things there. TBH I was more interested in trying their whiskies lol. Fabulous prices vs the states, brought some nice bottles home 
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I read that the 1000se is a really good headphone especially for the price. Never heard it, but always tempted since I like a lot of Hifiman headphones (only tried the ,R9 I think it’s called, Edition XS and Susvara).
The 5000XL is a really awesome amp. What I like about it is that it’s clean sounding, black background (even with sensitive phones), technicalities is pretty good, mid bass punches with that amp, and the presentation is pretty unique where it kind of exaggerates instrumental distance in the music. I can get a holographic soundstage with the Susvara. Forgot which track, but the piano was playing pretty far behind my head, it was pretty cool.
I never heard the 3000 amp, but I feel like it’s a different amp because both their design it just different. 5000XL is pretty good with planar headphones because of its high current. I read the 5000XL supposed to be really amazing with the HE-6 (probably because of its high current and buffing the midbass). The 5000XL sounds really good with the Susvara to my ears, but I never own a higher tier amp on it. I also uses a preamp because my speaker setup shares the same setup as my headphone, so I’m always using like 35-45 % of volume most of the time. For classical orchestra, I crank it up to maybe 55%. I don’t listen to loud volume on the Susvara, I say maybe median low? At least 45-50% on the pre amp.
Shows are really cool to listen to some phones and to get an idea, but honestly didn’t like the Susvara at CanJam Chicago 2023 lol. I thought it was super overhype tbh, but that’s because I couldn’t really hear all the little things that make the Susvara so great, especially if I was sitting next to a guy blasting metal on the Arya setup. I only bought the Susvara because I really like the Mysphere 3.2 midrange and wanted to know if any other headphone can compete. It goes without saying that the Susvara midrange is mad good. I think listening to open back phones in under show condition is pretty hard.
Also, that’s nice you really you came back from Japan! I haven’t travel outside of the US for more than 5 years already. If I do travel out, I want to go to Strasbourg France around Christmas one of these years.
The setup I listen to the Susvara at CanJam Chicago 2023
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Man, for the new $1999 price the 1000se is one of the most compelling TOTL headphones on the market. If one had a budget of 2k it would be at the top of my recommendation list, not to mention the 3 year warranty, 30 day trial period and great customer support. Makes me curious what’s driving the price drop
Yes, the 3000 and 5000 are different designs. My comment about assuming either would do well with the SE is that the SE is easy to drive but also scales really well. I bopped over to the Allnic site and interestingly it looks like the 3000GT is discontinued, leaving the 5000XL as the sole headphone amp available. Based on what little info is out there, including your impressions, it sounds like it’s a killer amp and suitably endgame in its own right. I’m also curious about the MySphere 3.2, but wonder if I’d miss the bass. My genres involve a lot of techno/electronic stuff, though I do like folk, acoustic and stripped down vocal stuff. Anyways, another one I’d love to try! But I’m pretty happy with my setup now. I’m in a super rare ‘content’ phase lol.
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As much as I love the Allnic amp, I would hesitate to call it end game. After hearing amps like the Viva 845 tube amps, that’s end game to me. But I think the 5000xl is a good stopping point before the $10K+ retail market and one of the best value used if you are able to get one under $3K or $4K.
That’s really cool you visited the Allnic site. We’re you able to try any of their speaker amps/preamps product? I’m really interested to hear their DHT preamp, but it’s out of my price range. Would love to hear one 1 day though.
Can’t really comment if any of the Allnic amp can drive your 1000se since I never own one. But I can say the sweet range of Ohm for the 5000xl is 30 ohm - to 50 ohm. For some reason, headphones in that range gets a ridiculous buff and really open up. Like bass sounds really nice and hits harder and the soundstage expands pretty nicely as well. My sweet range of headphones I typically use is the ATH-L3000 and Onkyo A800. Everything else is really just a bonus to me at that point. That’s where the black background comes into play for the sensitive phones come into play. Headphones in that range are typically sensitive, so it’s nice not having a hum despite it being a tube amp. Outside of that range, I can say it drives them well, but can’t really say it drive them to their best since my hands on amp knowledge is pretty limited in the high range.
Mysphere 3.2 got fantastic mid bass punch. Subbass is lacking and for music like electric, it wouldn’t be my first choice. The Mysphere 3.2 excels in acoustic music and it’s the most realistic sounding headphone I heard to date. For other genres, it’s still pretty good, but not as amazing as music that is acoustics.
I am not a big electric person, but my go to headphone in my collection for that genre would probably be the Susvara. I am not too sure how the 1000se sounds, but I would imagine fantastic. The reason is probably because of the speed of a planar and how planar headphones can typically extend really low in the frequency. I really enjoy the Subbass on the Susvara and honestly the bass as a whole. It’s a really nice sounding bass and it’s also really good up top in the frequency as well. So I think you would probably really enjoy the 1000se more than the Mysphere 3.2 if that’s your genre. But the Mysphere 3.2 is a really good experience. It’s probably one of the first headphone where I wanted a dedicated playlist for it, because the sounds it can make with the right song is eye opening.
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Of course. I meant only that I assume the 5000XL could be endgame in its own right, and more so if your budget doesn’t allow for the truly summit-fi level/expense of a Viva, AIC-10 or the like. I’ve never heard it either lol, so I’m making a very general statement based on what I’ve read and Allnic’s portfolio, expertise and status in the industry. Price-wise it’s still relatively high. Regardless, it’s definitely on my wish list of things to hear!
I just meant I went to Allnic’s website, they list the 3000 as discontinued and evidently only make the 5000XL.
The 1000se is indeed fantastic for electronic music, the reasons you cite are definitely part of that experience. Yeah I’d love to hear the MySphere but presumably it would be a complementary alternative, as is the ES-R10. Just seems like such a cool headphone though. It’s another one on my list! But the 1000se would likely remain my all-round daily driver as it does so much well regardless of genre.
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My dude, as a fan of the HEkse, which amps have you ran it on? What was good? What was bad? What bored you?
I’ve just gotten a Burson Soloist X3P and it isn’t doing much for me thus far.
This would probably be too bright sterile and boring with HEk. You’d need something a little warmer and fuller sounding
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I’ve never heard the Burson so can’t comment on its sound, but maybe this is the reason and I concur with this statement in general.
Currently I use a Pass HPA-1 and a Pendant SE. I think both work really well. As I commented earlier and @orrman mentioned, having an amp or chain that’s a bit warmer/fuller sounding compliments the 1000se, which can sound thin, bright or harsh on the wrong amp, or a cooler amp. Like I probably wouldn’t use it with a Drop 789. In the past I used the Mogwai SE and Violectric V281. Those also worked well. If you haven’t tried a good tube amp with it, I’d suggest it.
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O.K., so the stock Burson Vivids were too neutral-bright for my Gumby MB A2 and HEkse chain. Fortunately, I had also gotten a pair of Orange discrete op amps from the previous owner; he told me that they would add a touch of warmth and punch to the sound …they have transformed my Soloist. I tried them in both the input and gain stages, and this configuration seemed to illicit the sound which I desired.
These op amps brought the tonal balance I desired, adding a lot of macrodynamic punch, and made for more holographic images. This and running the Burson in high gain mode, anyway.
Interestingly, I was speaking to Rob at Robson Acoustics, a small Scottish hifi manufacturer, about his HA1 amplifier. He sent me a unit to audition - very kind of him! I will save my impressions for another thread as I think the HA1 is an interesting piece, being high-end Class D, but I will say, A/B’n these two amplifiers made it hard to focus while I was working. The HA1 sounded wider, but not as deep, punchy as all hell, but it had what I can only describe as “missing timbre”, when listening to a few drum recordings I am particularly familiar with. It did wipe the floor with the Burson when it came to very modern, processed music; it sounded very engaging.
TLDR; the the Soloist just needed an op amp and gain tweak. It now pairs brilliantly with my HEkse.
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That’s awesome.
I hardly ever see op amp rolling discussed whenever I’ve seen the Burson units mentioned. It’s an aspect that seems to get overlooked.
Glad you found the synergy you were looking for.
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