A New Flagship from a Long Time Crowd Favorite at HEADFI
October 2020
Noble Audio Gear Discussed in this Tour can be found Here: https://www.nobleaudio.com/
Your first is always special, and in terms of tours, Noble Audio was my first. It was a regional Seattle tour where we delivered the tour kit by hand, but it was still a tour.
Since then, Noble Audio has grown considerably with Wizard Designs and an entirely new lineup making the old but still widely discussed and ever-popular K10 feel dated. Noble’s latest flagship, the Sultan, is now making quite a stir on HEADFI in discussing the flagship round table…the best of the best. My curiosity has finally gotten the best of me so I reached out to see if we can get a chance to hear it for ourselves, and after a bit of a wait given its sold-out status, we finally got a tour kit – actually two. Now our tour members can hear for ourselves why it has such a rapidly growing reputation. All I can say is that after a couple of days with the kits in hand and some listening, the Sultan deserves the phrase it is receiving.
Two Noble Audio Sultan Tour Kits
We have arranged for two Sultan tour kits to keep our tour moving.
Tour Kits
Our tour kits feature the full retail box set as seen in the tour kickoff video below. Here is a little information about the Sultan from the Noble website:
Noble Audio Sultan Tour Kickoff Video
Tour Kit Pictures
Barra’s Quick Initial Impressions
The best part of managing tours is getting to hear all the great gear for myself. Here are some brief impressions from what I have heard so far between the tasks required to set up this tour:
- Sultan: The best way to describe the Sultan is the STAX 009 of inears…yes, it is that good that it reaches the same exotic level of performance. Like the 009, you buy it for the incredible resolution and the unique electrostatic airy, ethereal ambiance that is unlike anything else out there. Like the 009, the bass performance is tight, elegant, and dignified in an audiophile way supporting the rest of the spectrum without getting in the way. The bass is powerful, deep, resolute, and complete, but the butterfly wings details and the mids come first. The bass offers extravagant texturing as a finish…like a fine wine. However, this is powered by a DAP in its natural environment – moving to my 7.5 watt Burson C3R desktop and that 10mm bass driver takes on a lot more thump and drive – yet still never at the expense of the rest of the frequency. The layering is holographic and top-notch offering a new way to hear your library. Sorry, I have nothing bad to say about the Sultan – it is as good as they say. Join the tour and hear it for yourself.
Overall, I have to say that this is absolutely a flagship to be reckoned with and unique in signature to stand on its own. Noble has created another winner that will live on the top tier for years to come.
Rules and Responsibilities
Most of our tours are offering 7-day auditions which you are required to ship out to the next participant on day 8. Yes, you pay the shipping to the next participant, but we organize into logistically friendly orders to minimize the shipping expense.
The tour membership rules and responsibilities are described here. The key idea is that we must be communicative to participate and to keep the tour moving and interesting. It is our responsibility to follow these rules and to ensure the ability to ship out on day 8 when our turn is over.
Signing up for the Tour
To sign up for the tour, you must be a verified tour member and have joined our new AUDIOTIERs platform. The membership qualifications and requirements are described here if you are not already a member. Whether a HEADFI tour member that needs to transfer their membership to the new platform or you are a new member looking to apply for tour membership, please follow the instructions in the GETTING STARTED box below. We are now accepting applications from both US and Canadian citizens.
Getting
Started
NEW TOUR MEMBERS: 1) Register, 2) Subscribe, 3) Apply, 4) Join Tours
EXISTING HEADFI TOUR MEMBERS: 1) Register, 2) Subscribe, 3) Join Tours
Tour Signups for Verified Members: If you would like to be part of this tour, please feel free to post your request in the comments below.
Reviewers First Tour: This is a REVIEWERS GO FIRST TOUR, so if you would like to skip to the front of the line, please note that you would like to be a full reviewer in the request as in the sample below:
Sample Signup Request: I live in Anthem, AZ and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@AudioTiers.com. AS A FULL REVIEWER, PLEASE MOVE ME TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE.
Tour Participant Logistics
We have two tour kits to minimize wait and are offering 7-days auditions to each participant. This logistics list is updated as I can to show you were we are in the order with each participant bolded to signify that they received the kit. This is where you will find the next two participants to contact when you receive the kit.
Signup Period: During our signup period, we collect the initial participants and provide them with a logistically friendly portion of the tour. This is the lowest cost portion in terms of shipping. Once this closes, we move to the latecomer portion.
Latecomer Period: Latecomers are welcome to the tour on a first-come, first-serve basis. We will continue taking latecomer requests until we run out of participants or the manufacturer asks us to end the tour.
Noble Audio Sultan US Tour Logistics
Tour Kit 1
- @Barra – Anthem, AZ
- REVIEWER: Drunkenmunkey – Highlands Ranch, CO
- REVIEWER: antdroid – Lynnwood, WA
- wardo783 – Porter Ranch, CA
- Blueshound24 – Sioux Falls, SD
- fiascogarcia – Fort Collins, CO
- hamhamhamsta – Santa Ana, CA
- csglinux – Los Angeles, CA
- EricR – Eagle, ID
- @Barra – Anthem, AZ
Tour Kit 2
- @Barra – Anthem, AZ
- REVIEWER: dbstechtalk – Logansport, IN
- REVIEWER: ngoshawk – Warrensburg, MO
- REVIEWER: AUDIOKEYREVIEWS – Eau Claire, Wisconsin
- Slim1970 – Florissant, MO
- Darkestred – Denville, NJ
- rantng – Brooklyn, NY
- gnahra – Fort Myers, FL
- forkofnature – Annapolis, MD
- Towa – Nashville, TN
- Gc335 – Cumberland, RI
- @Barra – Anthem, AZ
Potential Canadian Tour
We are checking participation levels for Canadian tour members. If we get 8 requests, we will move to extend our tour to Canada. If we get 16 requests, we will ask for an additional tour kit to start an additional tour right away. Again, Fir Audio will have to agree, but this should not be an issue if we get the numbers.
- SBranson – Victoria, BC Canada
- efejoao – Vancouver, BC
- Biodegraded – Vancouver, BC
- Dr. Schweinsgruber – Calgary, Canada
- riverground – Toronto, Ontario
Signup Request Example: I live in Anthem, AZ and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com. AS A REVIEWER, PLEASE MOVE ME TO THE TOP OF THE LIST.
I live in Logansport, IN and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com. As a reviewer, please move me to the top of the list.
I live in Houston, TX and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com.
I live in Concord, CA and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have previously submitted my info in the recent Vision Ears tour. Would love to hear Sultan!
I live in Denver, CO and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow such terms on the tour. I submitted my information and ID to billb@cleardiff.com. Thanks
Please delete. Double post.
I live in Las Vegas, NV and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com.
I live in Highlands Ranch, CO and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com (and have already been approved)!
I live in Warrensburg, MO and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com. AS A REVIEWER, PLEASE MOVE ME TO THE TOP OF THE LIST.
I do think having a Noble tour is a good idea. I have the Savant II and absolutely love it. I know Pinky still loves his Kaiser Encore for its pure sound. I also think Noble has gotten somewhat of a bad rap from some for an almost sterility of sound aspect. It would be nice for a number of other reviewers to hear them and get into the sound characteristics.
Cheers.
I live in Somerville, MA and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com.
I would be most interested in hearing the Sultan and possibly Khan. Cheers.
UPDATE: 8/24/20: Talking to Noble and it looks like we will be having a “Sultan Tour”. Noble was estimating being able to ship the tour units within the next month. I am very excited to hear the Sultan as I have yet to hear it but have heard wonderful feedback from those that have.
Time to start adding your requests to participate in this tour. 🙂
I live in Merced, CA. and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com. AS A REVIEWER, PLEASE MOVE ME TO THE TOP OF THE LIST. Thank you!
Any chance at adding the new Noble Zephyr as well?
I live in Albuquerque, NM and would like to participate in this tour. I will abide by all of the rules set forth.
I live in Las Vegas, NV and agree to all terms of the tour. I have submitted all required ID to Barra.
live in El Cajon, California and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. My membership information is up to date. AS A FULL REVIEWER, PLEASE MOVE ME TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE.
(Lucidmotionz prior tour member on HeadFi_ now Liberatus)
I live in SLC, UT and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have previously submitted my ID & information for the Burson tour.
I live in Quebec, Canada and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com. Thanks !
live in West Lafayette, IN and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@AudioTiers.com. AS A FULL REVIEWER, PLEASE MOVE ME TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE.
I’m in Victoria, BC Canada and would really like to hear these if the tour makes it up to Canada. I agree to all terms of the tour.
I live in Diamond Bar, CA and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com.
I live in Rochester NY and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour.
I live in Lynnwood, WA and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com. As a reviewer, please move me to the top of the list.
I live in Redwood City, CA and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com. AS A REVIEWER, PLEASE MOVE ME TO THE TOP OF THE LIST.
I live in Anthem, AZ and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. My current info has been to Barra for a previous tour. Not a reviewer, so down to the bottom I go!
I live in Diamond Bar, CA and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com.
Hi, I am a reviewer and would very much like to participate in this tour. I live in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Thank you.
I live in Vancouver, BC and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com.
I live in Denville, New Jersey and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation from previous tours on head-fi and should still be valid.
I live in Sioux Falls, SD and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com. Thanks Bill!
I live in Porter Ranch, CA and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. All previous verified documentation on file remains current.
I live in Fort Myers, FL and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@AudioTiers.com.
I live in Brooklyn, NY and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. All previous verified documentation on file remains current.
I live in Fort Collins, CO and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com.
I live in Florissant, MO and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@AudioTiers.com. As a reviewer, please move me to the front of the line.
I live in Florence, OR and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com.
Closing logistically friendly signups
Latecomers will be added to the end of the tour going forward first come first serve. There are no more reviewers first privileges. Time to get this tour on the road.
I live in Vancouver, BC, and if there’s a Canadian leg I’d like to participate. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com. Thanks !
Yes, please. I live in Calgary and would like to join. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@cleardiff.com a long time ago. As a reviewer, please move me to the top of the list.
PLEASE NO CABLE ROLLING PER NOBLE
Hey tour members. I had a request from Noble to please not cable roll on this tour to ensure that the cable stays in good shape for everyone throughout the tour. I know that is a difficult request for some, but I can assure you that I have had no need to cable roll on my audition. This is the nicest stock cable I have seen/heard to date and the resulting match with the Sultan leave nothing wanting. 🙂
I live in Toronto, Ontario and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have already been verified.
I live in Santa Ana, CA and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@AudioTiers.com
I live in Annapolis, MD and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I already have emailed my required ID verification documentation to BillB@audiotiers.com.
I live in Los Angeles, CA and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I have emailed my required ID verification documentation to billb@AudioTiers.com. AS A FULL REVIEWER, PLEASE MOVE ME TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE.
Received the East Coast Tour – Kit 2
I live in Nashville, TN and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. My membership information is up to date.
I live in Eagle, ID, and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I am a registered tour participant and billb@AudioTiers.com has my information on file.
If it’s not too late…. I live in Cumberland, RI and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. My information is on file and up-to-date! Thx
If it’s not too late!…I live in McAllen, Tx and would like to participate in the tour. I agree to follow the terms of the tour. I am a verified US tour member and my contact information is up to date.