Bought new/unused from Headphones.com in 2017 for $3660 (open box). Tested w DNA Stratus 2A3 tube amp (less than 20 hrs use) and preferred HD800, so set aside. I'm 71 now and cleaning the closet. Headphones in excellent condition. THE UTOPIA IS SOLD. I apologize for the 3d delay in closing this...

After >500 hrs my Utopia is far more enjoyable than my well-used HD800.   But the comparison I really want hear about is the Ether Flow vs the Utopia. 

I received my Focal Utopia headphones 6 wks ago. At first I thought the sound quality was not sufficiently better than my HD800, but after 500 hrs music burn-in the increased performance was without a doubt the best I've ever heard. I am really enjoying listening to my favorite music for the...

http://herbiesaudiolab.net/teflon.htm

I waited several weeks for them, but I like using the Duende dampers very much on my WE275s. They add a firmness and increase the sense of presence, of coherent realism, without any deleterious spectral effects that I have detected.   Tapping the case of my Stratus causes a zing with most 2A3...

To any of you who have reported KR 2A3 microphonics:   have you tried using tube dampers, say for example these ?   Thnks

  Oooh. That was weighty and motivating, third_eye. Thanks for sharing. Have you heard the new Ether Flow, too? with your Stratus perhaps? 

+2

^vc1187   I enjoy using the Psvane WE275 as 2A3s in my Stratus with the HD800 headphones, a tube that froger introduced us to in this thread a while back. I had used the Shuguang 2A3T-C Natural Sound tubes before these. But I haven't heard the KRs. Have you compared the KRs to the WE275 tubes...

I've had my WE275s installed for over 3 months, and I love 'em!   Ask froger if you want more info on these.

Thanks, guys, for sharing your Stratus findings here!    Here's a suggestion: If you try using Google (or Firefox or Duckduckgoose or ...) to search this thread a bit more for the tubes you are considering (eg NOS rectifiers), you might find highly relevant comments by the lucky ppl who...

For those who haven't noticed yet,  Donald has posted a new webpage announcing the soon-to-be Stellaris http://www.dnaudio.com/DNA-Stellaris-2A3-headphone-amplifier.html Several are already on the waiting list!   Also, his Riva Turbo X speaker system receives a glowing review from none...

I'm curious to know:   have any other Stratus owners tried placing their amp on a Tranquility Base UEF from SR?   If so, please let us hear your comments.   Thanks in advance

^^ Here's a very firm plug for froger's position!   Based on his recommendation, I've had the WE275 in my Stratus for over a week now. They produce spectacular sound -- as he said, outstanding texture and musicality, dimensionally layered, and excellent clarity, coherence and bandwidth. For...

OK, I will finally place my order for the WE275 now.   I tried 3 pairs of their WR2A3, but I had to return all because they were noisy, so I've been cautious.   Thanks again, froger.